County bans drones during Masters Tournament at Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) Hoping to prevent a drone disruption at this year's Masters Tournament, Augusta commissioners approved a county-wide ban on launching or operating the remote-controlled aircraft between April 2 and April 13.

Drones ``have gotten very sophisticated,'' and Augusta has a ``very big, international event'' coming up, said sheriff's Col. Robert Partain.

The original code amendment prepared by General Counsel Andrew MacKenzie and presented for the first time on Tuesday's meeting agenda banned all drone use at any time in ``area(s) containing dwellings,'' ``any congested area,'' at sporting events or in heavily populated parks, except for model aircraft fields.

Commissioner Ben Hasan suggested limiting the amendment to the golf tournament to give commissioners more time to study the issue.

``My phone was ringing yesterday, as well as this morning'' with calls from hobbyists, Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said. ``We've got to protect both . the international event and those who operate (drones) as a hobby.''

Major networks are studying the use of drones to cover live sporting events, athletes use airborne video for training, and fans recently used a drone to disrupt a European soccer match.

With law enforcement agencies eager to employ drones for public safety purposes, neither the Federal Aviation Administration nor the Georgia General Assembly has finalized guidelines regulating the use of drones below navigable airspace.

Commissioners recently approved the modified drone ordinance, waiving a second reading by a 7-0 vote, with commissioners Mary Davis, Marion Williams and Grady Smith out when the vote was taken.