Flying near airports

There are rules in place to fly near airports and helicopter landing sites.

Controlled airports

A controlled airport generally has an air traffic control tower. At a controlled airport, there’s a lot of air traffic and strict rules about where you can and can’t fly.

We recommend using a CASA-verified drone safety app to check your location.

If your drone weighs more than 250 g, you must not fly:

• within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a controlled airport
• in the approach and departure path of a runway which extends up to 7 km (3.8 NM).

Between 7 km (3.8 NM) and 8.5 km (4.6 NM) of the approach and departure path, you can fly up to a height of 90 m (300 ft).

The image shows a runway at the centre, marked by a white centreline and a green runway strip that is 100 meters wide. The areas around the runway are divided into various zones with specific flying restrictions.

If your drone weighs 250 g or less, you can fly up to a height of 45 m (150 ft) within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a controlled airport. However, you must not:

• fly over or in the approach and departure paths
• fly in the airport boundary
• create a hazard to other aircraft taking off or landing.

Measuring distances

We measure these distances from the centreline of the runway. The height or altitude of your drone is measured from the point on the ground or water directly beneath it.

Non-controlled airports

A non-controlled airport does not have an air traffic control tower. Many airports in Australia are non-controlled.

You can fly your drone within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a non-controlled airport and in the approach and departure paths. However, when you become aware of an aircraft, you must:

• not launch your drone
• safely manoeuvre your drone away from the path of the aircraft and land as soon as possible.

We measure this distance from the centreline of the runway.

Helicopter landing sites

A helicopter landing site (HLS) is a designated location used by helicopters for taking off and landing.

You can fly your drone within 1.4 km (0.75 NM) of a helicopter landing site. However, when you become aware of a helicopter flying to or from the HLS, or taking off or landing, you must:

• not launch your drone
• safely manoeuvre your drone away from the path of the helicopter and land as soon as possible.

We measure this distance from the centre of the HLS.