The Civil Aviation Authority has shot down a Dundee takeaway’s claims that it is set to launch a new drone delivery service.
Chinatown manager Steve Chow said he is spending a total of £10,000 on equipment and training on what he described as a “novelty service.”
Despite today being April Fool’s Day, Mr Chow insisted the announcement is not a joke.
He said: “This is a real thing and we’re going to start piloting the service as soon as possible.
“It will be for regular customers only, and not an everyday service.
“The weather conditions will need to be absolutely right. It would have to be a calm day with no wind or rain.
“The drone will be able to carry a load of up to 10kg and will be limited to flying within an eight-mile radius.
“Our pilot will be able to steer the drone to avoid things like seagulls so it will be very safe.”
Mr Chow explained that a ‘pilot’ will operate the drone from the firm’s premises in the Hilltown and direct it to the homes of customers via a joystick and computer screen.
But the CAA said the laws and regulations around drone flying mean the plans are “unlikely” to get off the ground.
A spokesman said anyone who wants to operate a drone for commercial use must complete an authorised training course and then apply to the CAA for a licence.
In a congested area, a drone must be under 7kg and must still remain 50 metres away from a building, structure or person, making most city streets off limits.
A drone must also never be flown beyond the normal unaided line of sight of the person operating it.
This is generally measured as 500 metres horizontally and 400 feet vertically.