Commercial operators must keep records of your operations to show us that you’re complying with the drone safety rules.
Who must keep records?
You must keep records if you are:
- flying a small (2-25 kg) and medium (25-150 kg) remotely piloted aircraft over your own land
- flying a drone of any size under a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC)
- a manufacturer conducting a test flight of remotely piloted aircraft or model aircraft that is less than 150 kg after it has been manufacturedÂ
You do not need to keep records if you are flying a very small (2 kg or less) or micro (250 g or less) remotely piloted aircraft under the excluded category or a model aircraft for sport or recreation, including a drone which you have built or repaired yourself.
You must be able to present a copy of these records to us if required. If you sell your drone, the person buying it may also ask to see a copy.
Test flight log
CASA instrument 63/21 prescribes certain RPA which are not required to be registered, mainly for the purpose of flight testing after maintenance or repair. For any operation performed under the provisions of the instrument, a record must be kept of each test flight. Refer to CASA 63/21 for the required information to be recorded.
Test flight logs must be kept for 3 years. They must include:
- the serial number of the RPA or model aircraft flown
- the name, address, and ARN (if any) of the owner of the RPA or model aircraft
- the time and date of the test flight
- the location of the test flight
- the reason for the test flight
- any accident, incident or malfunction that occurred during the test flight
- the name of the remote pilot.
The personal information above may be disclosed to a person other than CASA only if the disclosure has the consent of the owner of the aircraft, or the disclosure is required by law.
RPA Operator's Certificate (ReOC) holders
Chief Remote Pilot duty records (MOS 10.03)
Keep for: 7 years
Information that must be included:
- records that demonstrate you are regularly and consistently performing your duties
- internal training such as induction or procedural training.
Remote pilot log (MOS 10.06)
Keep for: 7 years
Information that must be included:
- accumulated flight time operating an RPA
- information identifying each operation including the type, model and ID of each RPA
- date, location and length of each flight
- whether the flight was at night, VLOS, BVLOS or EVLOS
- simulated operation of the RPAS and the type of simulation used.
RePL training records (MOS Ch2 and 10.03)
Keep for: 7 years after the day the course ends
Information that must be included:
- full name of each individual who attended the training course
- the dates of the training
- the units covered in the training
- the outcome of the training for each individual
- chief remote pilot’s certification that the course and training units, complied with the Manual of Standards.
Records of crew member training (MOS 10.08)
Keep for: 7 years after the day the person has left the company
Information that must be included:
- training records for all people involved in the operation of the RPA, including such as safety observer, tether operator, or traffic controller.
Operational release (MOS 10.04)
Keep for: 7 years
Information that must be included:
- nature and purpose of operation
- type, model and ID of each RPA
- dates and times of the operation
- the location the RPA was operated to and from
- height the RPA was operated
- full name and ARN of the pilot in command and any other pilot.
If the RPAS is over 2kg, additional information will be required.
Operational log (MOS 10.05)
Keep for: 7 years
Information that must be included:
- confirmation and/or change to any component of the operational release. (This can be within the same document)
- a record if the RPA was serviceable after the final flight
- references to the operational release and log when they are on different documents.
Operational record (MOS 10.03)
Keep for: 7 years
Information to be included if used:
- safety assessments
- risk management plan
- operational flight plan
- copy of any aeronautical information obtained and documents produced for the operation
- description of cargo and handling requirements.
Technical log (MOS 10.07)
Keep for: 7 years
Information that must be included:
- type, model and ID of each RPA
- maximum and minimum gross weight of the RPA
- the total flight time the RPA has operated
- when the next maintenance is due
- maintenance done and certification of any work
- description of any fail-safe equipment that s unserviceable
- certification that the RPA is serviceable.
If the RPA is over 2kg, additional records will be required concerning maintenance and equipment.
Excluded category operators – flying over your own land
Operational log (MOS 10.10)
Keep for: 3 years
Applicable to: small and medium RPA
Information that must be included:
- location and height flown
- type, model and ID of the RPA
- dates and time of the operation
- nature and purpose of the operation
- whether the drone is safe to be flown the next day.
Technical log (MOS 10.12)
Keep for: 7 years
Applicable to: medium RPA
Information that must be included:
- type, model and ID of each RPA
- the total flight time the RPA has operated
- in-service times for components
- timing of next maintenance
- maintenance done and certification of any work.
Remote pilot log (MOS 10.11)
Keep for: 3 years
Applicable to: medium RPA
Information that must be included:
- accumulated flight time
- information identifying each operation including the type, model and ID of each RPA
- date, location and length of each flight.
You should read the CASA Part 101 (Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets) Manual of Standards 2019 to ensure you're correctly creating and maintaining all required documentation.
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