To fly in certain airspace, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operators need authorisation. Only chief remote pilots of a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) holder can apply.
The requirements
To operate you must have a:
- remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC)
- remote pilot licence (RePL)
- flight approval or permission.
Applications take up to 70 days to assess from the date of payment.
Operations in controlled or restricted airspace
You must apply for an authorisation to fly:
- above 120 m (400 ft) above ground level (AGL)
- within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a controlled aerodrome, excluding military operating areas
- above 120 m (400 ft) AGL within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a controlled aerodrome, including military-controlled aerodromes
- over a movement area of a controlled aerodrome
- in the approach or departure path of a runway of a controlled aerodrome
- in the approach or departure path of a non-controlled aerodrome when crewed aircraft are operating (relevant event)
- within 5.5 km (3 nm) of a non-controlled aerodrome when crewed aircraft are operating (relevant event)
- in Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).
Automated airspace authorisations
We’re trialling automated airspace authorisations for operations in some restricted areas and within 5.5 km (3 nm) of participating controlled airports. Before applying for flight authorisations, check to see if the location of your planned operations is in the trial. ReOC holders can use a CASA-verified drone safety app to apply.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) submissions
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) alert pilots to potential safety hazards along a flight route or in a specified location.
If you’re a ReOC holder and you have received an instrument of approval that requires you to issue a NOTAM, you must fill out the Airservices NOTAM request form and either:
- submit to Airservices Australia, if you’re a NOTAM authorised person
- submit to us, if you’re not a NOTAM authorised person.
Follow the instructions in the NOTAM Data Quality Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Operators and the NOTAM Originator User Guide. Airservices Australia will not accept NOTAM requests that contain errors.
You must lodge NOTAMs:
- at least 48 hours before the commencement of the operation
- during business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday – Canberra local time).