Operations
July 2024
OP5: Review and develop pathways to support research and development operations
In progress
Review requirements for research and development; and develop and publish guidance. This activity aims to support industry needs, while ensuring best practices and safety standards throughout systems, operations development and testing processes.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
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The release of the discussion paper is experiencing a slight delay for public release. Internal peer review of the paper is expected to close in mid-April, after which CASA will consider feedback and determine next steps for engagement.
Due to standard practices around election periods, we now expect to release the paper after the election.
July 2024
OP6: Guidance material for the carriage of dangerous goods (DG)
In progress
Develop and publish guidance material for the safe carriage of dangerous goods to assist operators to adhere to the rules.
Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.
July 2024
OP7: Implement rule changes from the PIR of CASR Part 101
In progress
Continue to implement the actions that resulted from the 2021 post-implementation review and public consultation in 2022.
Principle: Adaptive and scalable.
July 2024
OP4a: Develop industry guidance to support large RPAS operations
In progress
Review policy and publish industry guidance outlining operational pathways to support the safe operation of large RPAS.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
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CASA continues to investigate regulatory pathways to enable commercial operations involving large RPAs without an airworthiness certificate. Communications with industry will be forthcoming once CASA has concluded its investigations.
July 2024
OP8: Continue to develop policy and pathways for the assessment of complex RPAS operations
In progress
Continue to develop policies and pathways for RPAS operations that are relative to the risk and complexity of the operations. This could include further clarification and streamlining of BVLOS pathways, and consideration of high altitude and increasingly automated RPAS. It may include identifying streamlined pathways to enable lower risk RPAS operations.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
July 2024
OP4b: Engage internationally to assist the development of regulatory pathways to resolve the 12 nm issue
In progress
Continue working with ICAO and like-minded regulators at legal and operational levels to help develop regulatory solutions for the 12 nm issue.
Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.
December 2024
OP2: Develop and publish further guidance material for RPAS operations already enabled in existing rules including acceptable means of compliance
Enduring
We regularly review RPAS policy to apply a risk-based approach that enables safe operations and improves efficiency. This work will be ongoing and will adapt to industry needs.
Principle: Safety first.
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We have reviewed and introduced new population density bands associated with the specific operations risk assessment (SORA) criteria, adapted for the Australian environment. These additional population bands give industry greater flexibility in the operational area by providing a more accurate ground risk classification and reducing unnecessary control measures.
The industry responded positively to our ‘Assessing Ground Risk for Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations’ webinar on 3 December 2024.
We are continuing to improve guidance and pathways for beyond visual line of sight operations and operations over and near people.
December 2024
OP3: Work with first responder agencies to enable safe operations and improve safety education
Enduring
We maintain liaison with first responder agencies to enhance education on the safe operation of RPAS and regularly review policies and procedures that support operations.
Principle: Balanced and socially responsible.
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We continue to support State and Territory first responders, to develop procedure manuals for scenario-based operations used in emergencies or recovery efforts.
We may issue exemption instruments from certain regulations to enable the efficient and timely use of RPAS during emergencies.
December 2024
OP4: Conduct a gap analysis of CASR Parts to identify rule changes required to support RPAS and AAM operations
Enduring
Conduct gap analysis of CASR Parts and supporting policies as needed. Detailed industry concepts of operation will help to identify changes required for regulatory readiness for RPAS and AAM operations. The outcome of this work could include the identification of new activities, such as OP4a and OP4b.
Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.
December 2024
OP1a: Review existing RPAS approval and oversight processes to make sure they are proportionate to the risk and complexity of operational activities
Enduring
Review processes and supporting documentation in line with current priorities and resourcing. We will consider quality assurance and continuous improvement practices. Where possible, streamline applications while ensuring safety. This could include considering digitisation or similar technologies to enhance efficiency and timeliness.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
January 2025
OP9a: Develop guidance on the operational approval requirements for AAM operations (pilot on board)
Not started
Develop guidance and pathways for operational approval for pilot on board AAM operations with a focus on aviation safety through efficient processes.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
July 2025
OP10: Develop standards for international RPAS operations
Not started
Develop standards for international RPAS operations that align to ICAO standards and recommended practices. This will ensure harmonisation internationally for RPAS operations.
Principle: Progressive and internationally aligned.
July 2025
OP11: Develop SMS and human factor policies for RPAS that are relative to risk and complexity
Not started
Develop safety management system (SMS) and human factors policies relative to the risks and complexity of RPAS operations.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
January 2026
OP15: Consider alternative methods of regulatory oversight, including possible use of self-administering organisations
Not started
Review appropriateness of regulatory oversight as operational activity profiles develop and mature over time. This could include third-party authorisations or the establishment of self-administering organisations.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
January 2027
OP12: Streamline processes for the approval of SMS for RPAS and AAM operators
Not started
Review and, if needed, develop and streamline SMS assessment and approval processes to improve efficiency and make sure requirements are relative to risk.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
January 2027
OP14a: Implement changes required to support operational requirements for AAM
Not started
Implement the necessary changes required to support the introduction of AAM operations to ensure that evolving standards and practices effectively enhance aviation safety.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
April 2027
OP13: Complete analysis to integrate RPAS operational requirements into relevant CASR parts for operations outside the scope of Part 101
Not started
Analyse the need to integrate RPAS operational requirements across the CASR framework to safely cater for the increasing complexity of RPAS aircraft and future operations.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
July 2027
OP1b: Review AAM approval and oversight processes to make sure they are proportionate to the risk and complexity of operational activities
Not started
Review AAM processes, procedures and supporting documentation using quality assurance and continuous improvement practices to streamline applications whilst ensuring assessments of applications deliver safe operations.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
January 2029
OP14b: Monitor and review rule changes required to support AAM operational maturity
Not started
Monitor, review and implement the necessary changes to rules, guidance and procedures needed to support the increasing maturity of AAM operations. This is a follow-on activity from OP15a.
Principle: Risk and outcome-based.
February 2029
OP9b: Develop rule changes and guidance on the operational approval requirements for AAM operations (remotely piloted)
Not started
Develop guidance, pathways for operational approval, and subsequent rule adjustments for remotely piloted AAM operations with a focus on aviation safety through efficient processes.
Principle: Safety first.