Drones
Marlborough Airport's boundaries are within controlled airspace, and the hours of Air Traffic Control (ATC) are publicly available in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). Drones are also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), which are flown for recreational and commercial purposes. Drone pilots are required to formularise themselves with the Civil Aviation Act 2023, Part 101 and Part 102. Civil Aviation Authority rules state that drones aren't allowed to fly within 4km of an airport or helipad. Please raise an AirShare request with Airways and contact the Duty NZWB Controller on 03 572 6006 for requests where commercial drone flying is requested within 4kms.
There are two types of prohibited areas for flying drones in Marlborough.
Red = Controlled Airspace – ATC approval required during hours of watch (Airshare)
Blue = 4 km radius around local airfields – Aerodrome Authority, Hospital or Harbour Master approval required within 4 kms at all times.
For pilots looking to fly within 4km of Marlborough Airport, while ATC is off-watch, please fill out the form below and we will aim to respond within 48 hours.
Useful links
Go to the Council's Drone information page
Woodbourne Air Traffic Control
Omaka Airfield (Marlborough Aero Club)
Picton Airfield (Sounds Air)
Wairau Hospital (Nelson Marlborough District Health Board)
Department of Conservation - drone use on conservation land
CAANZ information on drones (includes rules, FAQs, information on drone training)