If you fly a drone (remotely piloted aircraft) RPA under 2kg but for commercial reasons, you can fly your drone in what is called the 'excluded' category.

This means you'll need to notify CASA before you fly and operate within the standard operating conditions.

If you want to fly outside these operating conditions, you will need to be licensed (hold a remote pilot's licence RePL) and fly with a certified operator to fly commercially.

Step 1: Apply for an aviation reference number

Step 2: Tell us before you fly

Step 3: Fly within the standard operating conditions

• You must not fly higher than 120 metres (400 ft) above the ground, in all locations (etc.)
• You must not fly your RPA/drone over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval). This could include situations such as a car crash, police operations, a fire and associated firefighting efforts, and search and rescue operations.
• You must not fly your RPA/drone within 30 metres of people, unless the other person is part of controlling or navigating the drone.
• You must only fly one RPA/drone at a time.
• You must keep your RPA/drone at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes (usually those with a control tower)
• You may fly within 5.5km of a non-controlled aerodrome or helicopter landing site (HLS) only if manned aircraft are not operating to or from the aerodrome. If you become aware of manned aircraft operating to or from the aerodrome/ HLS, you must manoeuvre away from the aircraft and land as soon as safely possible. This includes:
  • not operating your RPA/drone within the airfield boundary
  • not operating your RPA/drone in the approach and departure paths of the aerodrome
• You must only fly during the day and keep your RPA/drone within visual line-of sight.
  • This means being able to orientate, navigate and see the aircraft with your own eyes (rather than through a device at all times). Example: goggles or video screen.
• You must not fly your RPA over the top of people. Examples include festivals, sporting ovals, populated beaches, parks, busy roads and footpaths.
• You must not operate an RPA/drone in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, another person, or property
• You must not operate your RPA/drone in prohibited or restricted areas.

Please respect personal privacy. Don’t record or photograph people without their consent—this may breach state laws.

*Please note: If you want to operate outside these conditions (for example, fly closer than 30 metres to people), you will need to hold a remote operator’s certificate (ReOC).

The above operating conditions are a broad reflection of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101 and do not include allthe regulations you must follow. You must abide by all the regulations detailed in Part 101. If you don’t you could face enforcement action, including large fines and possible jail time.

So if you are a non licensed drone operator or have non licensed drone operators onsite be careful to ensure that all WHS requirements are met. 

As part of SkyBiz operational manual we will undertake a full JSA and risk assessment prior to launching the RPA and we are insured with a public liability cover of $20M 

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