A drone suddenly appeared on the beach, flying 20 meters above a group of surfers.

A dangerous incident occurred near the popular Playa Blanca beach in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura. People in the area noticed a drone flying almost overhead. Interestingly, the aircraft was heading towards the northern end of the airport's runway. The Civil Guard responded and issued an important appeal.

Drone near the beach and airport

The issue was reported a few days ago. It turned out that one of the tourists was operating a drone illegally. It flew at a height of just 20 meters above a group of surfers, causing a stir. The drone was an unmanned aircraft, a DJI Mini 2 Pro weighing 249 grams. Using such equipment in Spain requires a permit, which is consistent with EU aviation safety regulations.

A patrol from the tax and border control unit was immediately dispatched to the scene. They quickly confirmed that the drone was operating in restricted airspace (ATZ), which is subject to constant air traffic control. It turns out that such an offense carries penalties of up to PLN 1 million, and in some cases, the authorities can confiscate the drone. The man piloting the drone faced the consequences – he was detained and fined.

An appeal has been issued regarding drones.

The island's Civil Guard reminds all vacationers that before taking their drone to the beaches, they should familiarize themselves with Spain's new and stricter regulations. Flying drones near airports is strictly prohibited unless prior authorization is obtained from the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA).

Authorities emphasized that flying a drone without a permit poses a serious risk, as a falling drone can injure people on the ground. It also poses a threat to aircraft during takeoff and landing.

Fuerteventura is a particularly popular tourist destination , which is why planes fly there on average every 20 minutes, and the airport receives statistically 72 flights a day.

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