Changing the rules

Current rule
CASR Part 101 – Unmanned aircraft and rocket operations

CASR Part 101 consolidates the rules governing all unmanned aeronautical activities into one body of legislation. It prescribes the rules for the use of unmanned moored balloons and kites, unmanned free balloons, unmanned rockets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), model aircraft, and pyrotechnic displays.

Part 101 introduced new regulations for unmanned aircraft and firework displays but minimal change to existing regulations for balloons, rockets and model aircraft from existing Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs).

Who Part 101 affects

  • Organisations/individuals involved in unmanned balloons (including significant numbers of party balloons) and rocket operations;
  • Organisers of firework displays;
  • Model aircraft owners and operators;
  • Research and development organisations;
  • Law enforcement agencies;
  • Surveillance organisations;
  • Weather research organisations; and
  • Potential users of airborne telecommunications systems.

Key proposals

  • UAVs to be classified as either micro, small or large with separate rules applicable to each category
    • Micro UAVs are largely exempt from regulation while a small UAV may be flown by an unqualified person in certain conditions without any form of certification. A large UAV,on the other hand, is a de-facto manned aircraft and must generally be certificated and registered and its controllers qualified;
    • there are also requirements on the use of a flight radiotelephone;
    • rules are also introduced governing the certification of UAV operators and controllers.
  • While no change is proposed to the rules governing commercial operation of balloons, releasing large numbers of balloons at events may require CASA approval.
  • Height restrictions for unmanned moored balloons, kites, model aircraft and rockets to be raised from 300ft Above Ground Level (AGL) to 400ft AGL in line with overseas practice.
  • Projectiles that are capable of reaching 400ft or more above ground level not to be used without CASA approval;
  • Restrictions to apply to fireworks displays near aerodromes and, if a display is within 3 nautical miles of an aerodrome
    • Exemptions that apply for domestic premises;
    • Requirements under relevant state and territory laws will continue to apply.
 
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