Irish Drone Regulations have been updated – read about the new rules here. Drones have seen a massive rise in recent years around the world, thanks to the availability of advanced and lightweight technology which makes it possible for almost anyone to fly their own personal aircraft. In this fast-moving sector, the regulations and controls surrounding drones have been slow to update, with a major Europe-wide rule-set still in the works. Right now it’s relatively easy to get your hands on a drone in Ireland but one big question remains: WHERE CAN I FLY MY DRONE?! The answer comes down to a couple of distinctions but the main one is what you plan on doing with the drone. If your purpose is mainly recreation there’s one set of rules but if you’re planning on using it for any kind of commercial purpose, things get a bit more complicated. So let’s assume you’ve picked up a new drone like the Parrot A.R. 2.0 Elite Edition. You’ve assembled it and you’re raring to go – are there are restrictions on where you can take it for a spin and what you can do with it?

Parrot A.R. Drone 2.0 Elite Edition | By the rules of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) this kind of craft comes under the (Rockets and Small Aircraft) Order, 2000. parrot ar drone blueAnd a few important rules apply, mainly when it comes to safety around other flying vehicles.purchase drone with camera For example, you must ensure that nothing dangerous can fall from the drone while in flight. parrot ar drone for sale ukYou can also not fly within 5 kilometres of an aerodrome boundary or near any kind of controlled airspace. And you must not fly higher than 400 feet. The basic brief is that you shouldn’t present any danger to either people on the ground or aircraft, so these rules come down to common sense. In certain cases, like if the drone weighs over 20 kilograms, you also need to get written permission to fly from the IAA.

There are other guidelines for safe and considerate drone flying, including the strong recommendation that you take out some form of insurance, but that isn’t part of the rules. Now if you’ve become adept in the ways of the drone and think you might like to shoot some fancy HD footage from a glorious height with the aim of selling it on for profit, that’s where things get a lot more complicated. Drones used for commercial purposes come under the definition of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. This means that you not only have to obtain a license from the IAA but also written permission from them 90 days ahead of your proposed flight. In addition, you must give evidence of completing an IAA approved training course, with four currently operating in Ireland. That is unless you are already a licensed pilot and aware of the mechanics and systems of piloting. After you’ve obtained the correct permits, training and permission there remain some restrictions on where you can fly an RPAS.

For the most part it must be over unpopulated areas or in a specially designated zone. Urban use is prohibited as it its operation near large groups of people. While no users in Ireland have been prosecuted for illegal drone use yet, the introduction of similar Europe-wide laws could change that in the near future. For now, it’s best to ensure that you use the stunning footage captured during your flights for your own enjoyment and perhaps don’t monetise them on YouTube. There’s a lot of information and misinformation floating around about drone use in Ireland and with the technology emerging so fast it’s going to take a little while for the dust to settle. The basic message is this – it’s fine to use your personal drone for your own recreational uses in many areas where it doesn’t pose a safety risk to other people or pilots. Put more simply – use your own common sense while flying and respect other people’s privacy and personal space. And go out and have fun with drones!

The Irish Aviation Authority has a wealth of additional information. Read about the updated rules here. And don’t forget to head to Harvey Norman to find the drone that’s right for you – pricing starts at just €299.With the "Power Edition", fans of AR.Drone 2.0 can take advantage of the new high density Lithium-Polymer battery which takes the battery life of the quadricopter from 12 to 18 minutes! The Power Edition includes 2 HD batteries for 36 minutes of flight. In addition to the standard black propellers, the "Power Edition" has 3 additional sets of propellers. Red, orange or blue, every pilot can customize their AR.Drone 2.0 Power Edition to create an even more exclusive aircraft... The indoor and outdoor hulls have been redesigned to show off a matte black hull giving the AR.Drone 2.0 Power Edition an even more mysterious air. With 36 minutes total flight time, release all the potential of your Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Power Edition and become the master of the skies!

HD Battery (High Density) The HD battery is a three-cell Lithium-Polymer battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh at 11.1 volts with a discharge capacity of 10C. The battery is protected by a rigid case and complies with UL2054 safety standards. The HD battery has two connectors: one for discharging to supply the AR.Drone 2.0 and another charging connector. The estimated flight time with the HD battery is 18 minutes.Recording & Sharing in HD During each flight, an HD video is recorded and sent directly to your device. Download your video to YouTube with just one click from a user-friendly interface, or share your pictures on Picasa. Everything is simple and quick with the wireless control application! If you want to save longer videos, a USB plug-in lets you store larger files. Keep your flight information (data, locations, photos and videos) and share them with a worldwide pilot community using AR.Discover pilots in action in your neighbourhood and view videos from pilots living on the other side of the World!

FreeFlight 2.0, the free control application, on the App Store or Google Play and you are ready to fly! Drone 2.0, and by releasing it, the AR.Drone 2.0 is instantly stabilised.Drone 2.0 Wi-Fi® N connection, the AR.Drone 2.0 can go up to 50 metres (165 feet) from you (depending on the Wi-Fi® environment). The integrated pressure sensor offers supreme stability allowing the AR.Drone 2.0 to correct and maintain its position automatically whatever its altitude while being able to withstand wind speeds of up to 15 m/h maximum. The automatic flight control system of the AR.Drone 2.0 and the integrated sensors which facilitate take-off and landing, let you pilot the craft like an expert, even if you are a beginner! Drone 2.0 is also equipped with an exclusive and patented Absolute Control mode intended for beginners, and it adapts to your skills. The Flip is a manoeuvre exclusive to the AR.Be daring and perform flips by simply pressing twice on the screen of your control device.What’s in the box:

Drone 2.0  1 Outdoor hull  1 Indoor hull  1 Charger  2 x HD Battery 1500 mAh  3 Sets of coloured propellers Computers & Electrical – 1 to 3 days on stocked items, non stock product up to 10 days. Furniture & Bedding – 7 days stock items, Non Stock varies with supplier. If delivery is urgent check with the local store, we are here to assist. Locations within 30 km of a store are covered daily. Delivery times for rural areas may vary depending on routes and availability. Free Pick Up In Store Can’t wait for delivery or don’t want to pay additional charges? It’s incredibly simple to pick up your online order in store and get your hands on your product quickly and easily. Simply select the free pick up in store option and head to your nearest Harvey Norman store to pick up your order. During checkout, select “Free pick up in store” and select your preferred store. After your order is placed, you will receive an “order confirmation email” with your “order confirmation number” (this is usually sent out within 2 hours).

Once the store has confirmed your order and reserved the stock, you will receive an email “Ready for collection”. Bring your "order confirmation number" to the store you selected for pick up, along with photo ID and the credit card you used to make the order. Speak to one of our staff and your order should be processed in minutes. If you feel your product has failed a Consumer Guarantee (as defined by Irish Consumer Law) then don't worry you can easily return it to your local Harvey Norman store. We'll even pay for the postage if you live in an area where there is no store. Our returns policy covers any purchased item (conditions apply). You can send us a message to request more information about this product. Just fill in the form below. Parrot A.R. Drone 2.0 Power Edition | With Product Care you can relax knowing your purchase comes withProduct Care covers all parts, labour and call-out fees for an UNLIMITED amount of repairs. only use an authorized repairer network which means the job is done

right the first time. 2, 3 or 4 Year Protection Terms You can choose the length of your Product Care to add additional benefits and protection for your product from the end of the manufacturer’s warranty. Choose from either 2, 3 or New for Old Replacement If we cannot fix the product. LIKE, SPEC for SPEC. Coverage for Wear & Tear & Product Care covers wear and tear, defects in materials andIt also covers breakdowns caused by dust and If you sell your product, or provide it as a gift to someone, your cover and any unredeemed entitlements can be transferred to the new owner. Simply contact us to arrange Product Care covers your products anywhere in the world forIt also covers you in any country Harvey NormanThese countries include Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia and Croatia. Our range of support options ensure you experience an easy and hassle free process when you need to talk to us about your Product

If you are experiencing a fault, we will provide you with guidance and support every step of the way. Friendly Customer Care Team Call 1800 200 503 to speak with our Ireland based Customer Care team who are available to help you with any enquiries or questions you may Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5pm Closed Weekends and Public Holidays Easy Online or Phone Claim Making a claim is simple and we are here to help you through every step of the process. Register your claim online at or call our Customer Care team on Have your original purchase receipt handy to register the details of your claim. Let us take care of the rest. Having Product Care with your purchase means you can enjoy benefits that are exclusive to you, such as cover for Accidental Damage, that will help you to enjoy the experience of your new Product Care covers you for accidental drops, spills, cracked screens and unintentional accidents for 12 months.

If your product is a fridge or freezer, Product Care will cover up to €150 for any food spoilage that occurs as a result of a covered fault. If your product is a washer or dryer, Product Care will cover up to €50 for laundry expenses if your product is out of service for more than 10 days from the time you notify us of If your product costs more than €200 and has had two qualified service repairs and requires a third during the term of the plan, your product will be replaced. Product Care offers cover against breakdowns from electrical interference, power surges or voltage fluctuations. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit product care claims website for more details. Feature relates to purchases made after 01/03/2011. For all product care cover enquires please consult www.productcareclaims.ie or *2yr replacement plan commences when the manufacturer’s express warranty over the product finishes. For More Information Please Visit