There are rules for flying drones near airports, helicopter landing sites and in restricted airspace.
Before you fly, check a CASA-verified drone safety app.
The app can show:
- where you can and can’t fly
- restrictions near airports and helicopter landing sites
- restricted airspace
- other airspace restrictions that may apply at your location.
Controlled airports
A controlled airport generally has an air traffic control tower.
Controlled airports can have a lot of air traffic. Strict rules apply to where you can and can’t fly.
Use a CASA-verified drone safety app to check your location before you fly.
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 and 8.5 km along the approach and departure path, you can fly up to 90 m.
If your drone weighs 250 g or less, you can fly up to 45 m within 5.5 km of a controlled airport.
However, you must not:
- fly over or in the approach and departure paths
- fly within the airport boundary
- create a hazard to aircraft taking off or landing.
We measure these distances from the centreline of the runway. We measure your drone’s height from the ground or water directly beneath it.
Other airspace restrictions may also apply, including restricted airspace.
Check a CASA-verified drone safety app before you fly.
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 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 move your drone away from the aircraft’s path and land as soon as possible.
We measure this distance from the centreline of the runway.
Check a CASA-verified drone safety app before you fly. Other airspace restrictions may still apply.
Helicopter landing sites
A helicopter landing site is a designated location used by helicopters for taking off and landing.
You can fly your drone within 1.4 km of a helicopter landing site.
However, you must act when you become aware of a helicopter:
- flying to or from the landing site
- taking off
- landing.
You must:
- not launch your drone
- safely move your drone away from the helicopter’s path and land as soon as possible.
We measure this distance from the centre of the helicopter landing site.
Restricted airspace
Restricted airspace is different from controlled airspace.
Restricted airspace limits certain aircraft operations within a defined area.
It may exist for military activities or other activities that need additional airspace controls.
Restricted airspace can also overlap with airspace near an airport.
This means meeting the rules for flying near an airport does not always mean you can fly there.
You may need permission to operate within restricted airspace.
Different conditions can apply depending on the restricted area and your operation.
Use a CASA-verified drone safety app before every flight. The app can show permanent and temporary restricted areas that may affect your flight.
Airspace restrictions can change at any time. It is your responsibility to make sure that you do not fly in areas where restrictions are in place.
If restricted airspace applies, check what permissions or conditions apply before you fly.