Automated airspace authorisations

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We’re trialling automated airspace authorisations for remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) holders. This allows eligible drone operators to fly in restricted areas and within 5.5 km (3 nm) of selected controlled airports.

Chief remote pilots can apply using a participating CASA-verified drone safety app for these trial locations:

Adelaide Airport (YPAD)
Broome Airport (YBRM)
Cairns Airport (YBCS)
Canberra Airport (YSCB)
Coffs Harbour Airport (YCFS)
Essendon Airport (YMEN)
Hobart Airport (YMHB)
Melbourne Airport (YMML)
Perth Airport (YPPH)
Sydney Airport (YSSY)
Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).

Participation in the trial is free. The authorisations are also free, and there is no limit on the number of authorisations granted. We will automatically approve applications that meet the criteria, saving you time and money.

The requirements

To join the trial, you must:

hold a current ReOC
have the chief remote pilot submit the flight request.

The flight must meet these criteria:

within 5.5 km (3 nm) of Adelaide (YPAD), Broome (YBRM), Cairns (YBCS), Canberra (YSCB), Coffs Harbour (YCFS), Essendon (YMEN), Hobart (YMHB), Melbourne (YMML), Perth (YPPH), or Sydney (YSSY) airports, or within Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B)
use a registered drone with a maximum take-off weight of less than 25 kg
conduct the flights during daylight hours only
limit the flight duration to one calendar day
submit the request no more than 30 days in advance.

The remote pilot must also hold a valid:

remote pilot licence (RePL)
aviation radio qualification (such as an aeronautical radio operator certificate).

Flights must follow the conditions in section 6 of the area approval instrument.

Flights that do not get automated approval or not at participating trial sites must apply for flight approvals and permissions.

How it works

Follow these simple steps:

submit your application
we check your application using flight and hazard identification data to see if it’s eligible for automatic approval
if approved, we’ll notify you through the CASA-verified drone safety app
if a new area approval instrument is issued during the trial, we will notify you that:
- your existing airspace authorisation is no longer valid.
- you must submit a new request.

For approved flights during the trial, you don't need to:

notify air traffic control before your flight
submit a notice to airmen (NOTAM).

How to take part

To take part in the trial, sign-up using one of the participating CASA-verified drone safety apps:

CASA-verified drone safety app providers may set additional conditions to join the trial.

Instruments

Airspace authorisations issued during the trial follow these instruments. We will update the instruments throughout the trial. You must make sure you use the latest version for your flight:

Expired instruments

Last updated:

28 Nov 2024