A flight through restricted airspace by a drone during the Calgary Stampede fireworks has landed one Calgary man an administrative penalty from the Calgary Police Service.
Jordan Mitchell, 24, was accused by police of flying a drone on July 9 within the grounds of the Calgary Stampede, which throughout the duration of the 10-day festival is restricted airspace.
Drones are prohibited from flying within that airspace, which extends one nautical mile and from ground level to 450 feet from 5 a.m. to 3 a.m., without pre-approval.
“The Calgary Police Service [Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems] enforcement team… began investigating after several reported incidents involving unauthorized drones operating in the restricted airspace surrounding and within the Calgary Stampede grounds, caused unsafe disruptions and delays to events,” said the service.
CPS said they located Mitchell, who was said by the service to have been observed flying a drone during the fireworks show.
The service said that there was a disruption to the show, and that there was crowd safety concerns as a result.
Exceptions to the restricted airspace include use for law-enforcement and event management.
