A MAN has been fined by the courts for flying a drone at the beach in restricted airspace during the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Americo Neto, aged 36, flew a DJI Mini 3 on the seafront in Bournemouth on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

Court papers stated this was an offence as the drone was flown in a restricted area without permission potentially endangering an aircraft in a display.

The crime took place on the first day of last year’s air festival.

Neto, who appeared in the dock at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 11, pleaded guilty to a single charge of contravening with a regulation made under article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.

Bournemouth Echo:

The defendant, of Regents Park Road, Finchley, London, was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £40 surcharge and £85 costs.

Deputy District Judge Jodie Mittell also ordered that the defendant be deprived of the drone.

As reported, Dorset Police seized three drones for operating in a no-fly zone on the first day of the 2022 Bournemouth Air Festival.

Superintendent Wayne Nock said the force used the latest technology to “detect, track, and identify drones in the restricted airspace to minimize any incidents or delays to the flying display”.

“If we identify any breach of the airspace, we will liaise with the flying director and take positive action,” the officer said.

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