Charges laid in unmanned aerial vehicle incident

Flying UAV - Stock photo licensed for CPS use only.

This stock photo is not owned by The City of Calgary and its use has been licensed to the Calgary Police Service only.

The Calgary Police Service has charged a man in relation to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) incident that occurred near the Calgary International Airport.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, police observed a man in a public park, located near 2616 16 St. N.E., flying a UAV, which is also commonly known as a drone. The UAV was seen flying under the flight path of a Calgary International Airport runway.

Police then observed the man leaving the park and entering his vehicle. Before he could drive away, police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and arrested him for flying the UAV.

Syed Gohar Haider SHAH, 25, of Calgary, is charged with one count of interfering with a navigation facility to endanger the safety of aircraft. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016.

UAVs that are flown in an unsafe manner can endanger lives, aircraft and property. It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of any restrictions on these devices.

Anyone who observes a UAV being flown in an unsafe manner is encouraged to contact the Calgary Police Service by calling 9-1-1 for a crime in progress, the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

More information on how to fly a UAV safely and legally is available in this previous City of Calgary Newsroom article.

Case #16024594/3292