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Drone pilot fined over ‘hazardous’ Jeffreys-Stefanovic wedding flight

Media identities Sylvia Jeffries and Peter Stefanovic tied the knot in April.

Media identities Sylvia Jeffries and Peter Stefanovic tied the knot in April. Photo: Instagram: @sylviajeffreys

Drone footage from a celebrity wedding in New South Wales has proved costly to its pilot, who was slapped with a $900 fine by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

When TV presenter Sylvia Jeffreys and her journalist partner Peter Stefanovic tied the knot in April, a glittering Instagram post caught CASA’s eye.

Jeffreys uploaded soaring footage of the celebration at Kangaroo Valley – a frothing magnum of champagne showering the bridal party, who bounced with joy as A-listers looked on behind them.

The ABC understands the person who was fined was a guest at the wedding.

CASA said the fine was issued for “hazardous flying at and near guests” and the organisation’s director of aviation safety, Shane Carmody, made no apology for the fine.

“The rules protect people, property and aircraft from drones,” Mr Carmody said.

“If you fly a drone it is your responsibility to fly by the rules and stay safe at all times.

“Every drone pilot should download CASA’s drone safety app, which will help them fly safely.”

In a separate incident, a pilot was fined $1440 for flying in Sydney Harbour restricted airspace, and flying within 30 metres of people.

Another person was fined $900 after the drone they were flying came too close to a group of children at an Easter egg hunt in Canberra.

Last week, federal senator Pauline Hanson came under CASA’s microscope, after posting a video of herself flying a drone in Townsville.

-ABC

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