Jorge Eduardo Riquelme Cruz (34), of Chile, appears in the Queenstown District Court this afternoon. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMS
Jorge Eduardo Riquelme Cruz (34), appeared before Judge Mark Callaghan in the Queenstown District Court this afternoon.
He was arrested last Wednesday after allegedly operating a Mavic drone near eight choppers fighting the out-of-control blaze on Mt Alpha.
Police say the actions of the drone pilot forced the aircraft to be grounded for 15 minutes.
Riquelme Cruz was charged with operating an unmanned drone in a manner causing unnecessary danger to fire-fighting pilots and their helicopters, and reckless disregard for the safety of fire-fighting helicopters likely to cause danger to the pilots and aircraft.
He was remanded on bail without plea until January 29.
