Drone Rules for Sandwich Bay
Drone operators must exercise high caution at Sandwich Bay due to a designated high-altitude kite flying site operating from the surface up to 3,000ft AGL. High-tension tether lines pose a severe physical collision risk.
Sandwich Bay Kite Flying Site Safety Advisory
This coastal sector intersects the Sandwich Bay Kite Flying Site (VFR ID: K26), which sits at a baseline elevation of 19ft AMSL. This location is officially designated for heavy, high-altitude recreational or large-scale kite operations, which are periodically activated via NOTAM between sunrise and sunset (SR-SS).
The vertical hazard matrix extends from the surface up to a significant ceiling of 3,000ft AGL (Above Ground Level). The primary danger to unmanned aircraft is not just the kites themselves, but the long, high-tension winch and tether lines holding them. These lines are virtually invisible in flight and can instantly tangle or destroy a drone's propulsion system, causing a catastrophic loss of control.
Furthermore, historical incidents in this specific bay have involved high-level kite lines conflicting with low-flying crewed aircraft, such as local sightseeing and emergency helicopters. Remote pilots must always check active NOTAM data feeds before launching, maintain an unbroken visual line of sight (VLOS), and yield absolute right-of-way to any low-altitude aviation or airborne hazards.