There is some talk about CAA introducing or updating rules that cover UAVs.
Small UAVs can be quite technical and present an interesting challenge to many RC enthusiasts, hobbyists, technical schools and others. There are many potential practical applications including search and rescue, farming, forestry, conservation and many others.
In my opinion these can be satisfied with a “small” UAV; something under 2Kg that won’t exceed 100KpH in level flight, is electric powered and probably flys for 30-60 minutes at the most.
The danger is that CAA are going to classify these small craft in the up to 25Kg category and apply a very strict and expensive set of rules. This will of course ideally suit the one or two small UAV commercial operations already in NZ by eliminating competition.
I think NZ is fast falling behind the rest of the world in technology development and this is one area of huge growth potential where we could do well.

So, what are a reasonable set of rules that provide room to move but also a measure of safety and common sense?
Without some common sense rules there’s nothing to limit a proliferation of larger, faster, heavier aircraft that present more of a safety concern should a fly-away or accident occur.
By limiting the size, weight and speed and maximum allowed altitude we greatly reduce the safety risks and encourage the use of better airframes and control systems to achieve better results.

/quote RCMR wrote:
Here are my suggestions for fixed-wing:
Weight: 2.5Kg or less.
Airspeed: 65KPH or less
Airframes made from: EPP, EPS or EPO
Maximum altitude: 300ft AGL (thus allowing a 100ft separation from GA)
Motive force: electric (thus no flammable liquids on board)
Pilot: an FPV endorsement on their “wings” or under the immediate supervision of same
Operation: not over urban/suburban areas or where a risk is posed to the public \quote

I agree with some of the suggestions:
Airspeed should be a bit higher and weight a bit lower. This keeps the size down to about a maximum of a Sky-Walker or HobbyKing-FPV. It’s pretty easy to build a FPV foam plane that can cruise at 65KPH but 80-100KPH is a more difficult and eats into flight time. My HawkSky can cruse at 60-65 KPH and weighs about 1.2Kg.
Maximum altitude is good at 300 ft AGL.
I’m not sure about the FPV wings badge endorsement. I don’t currently trust MFNZ to look after small UAVs and FPV.

More to come.