Aerial Applications – Planning Aerial Operations
Regulations & Requirements – Commercial Operations
If you earn money by flying your drone, you’re usually required to hold a remote pilot licence (RePL) or remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC).
Requirements for commercial operations (>2kg):
- The pilot must hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)
- Operate under a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC)
Operations under this category could include:
- Aerial spotting
- Land surveying
- Weed and pest spraying
- Carrying cargo
The pilot must keep accurate operational records!
Check the CASA RePL website for more information: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/remote-pilot-licence
Regulations & Requirements – Excluded Categories
If you’re only flying over your own land for commercial tasks:
- You may be able to operate under the ‘Flying over your own land’ excluded category
- You still need an RePL
- You do not need a ReOC
- You will still need to keep operational records!
Check the CASA Excluded Category website for more information: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/excluded-category
Regulations & Requirements – Rules
- Drone safety rules – are the main set of rules you need to follow at all times when you fly
- Drone safety apps – download a CASA-verified drone safety app to easily find out where you can and can’t fly
- Flying near emergencies – how you can help emergency staff to help others in times of need
- Flying in public spaces – what to keep in mind when you’re flying in public: near crowds and events, in national parkland and close to animals in the air, sea and on land
- Travelling overseas with your drone – taking your drone on holiday? What you need to know when flying overseas or visiting Australia
- First Person View (FPV) – what you need to know to fly FPV in Australia
- Home built drones – the rules that apply when flying or modifying your custom-built drone
Check the CASA Drone Rules website for more information: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules
Regulations & Requirements – Law
- Enforcement and penalties – how we make sure people follow the rules, and what happens if you don’t.
- Official documents and forms – remotely piloted aircraft legislation, regulation, guidance information and application forms.
- Permissions and approval for model aircraft – get approval to operate model aircraft (including drones) within restricted airspace for recreational purposes
- Drone safety signage – standardised national drone safety signage, what it means and how to display it.
Check the CASA Drone Rules website for more information: https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules
Operation Hazards & Risks
- Environmental Hazards:
- Low-level operations typically have increased hazards compared to other types of flights
- Can come in many forms:
- Trees and Mountains
- Structures (buildings, power lines, towers, etc.)
- Can be an effect of the local environment:
- Ducks may nest near lakes and rivers
- Buildings don’t move, but birds do!
- Consider the following:
- What is the risk of hitting a tree at low altitudes?
- … does it change with altitude? 10m, 20m, 50m?
- Could a small ground structure be a hazard?
Planning & Risk Management
Recall discussion from: AVIW0004 – Operational Inspections
Mission Planning Demonstration
Plan a mission around your local area!
- Pick a survey area:
- What risks are there in the area?
- What restrictions are in this area?
- Pick a survey altitude (20m, 50m, 100m, etc.)
- Pick a survey aircraft
- Will this aircraft have enough endurance?
- Will the aircraft be within VLOS?
If possible, use a mission planning software to preform a risk assessment and mission survey plan!