Part 101 of CASR Unmanned aircraft and rockets

Rule status

Changing
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Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) consolidates the rules for all unmanned aeronautical activities into one body of legislation.

It sets out the rules for the use of:

  • unmanned tethered balloons and kites
  • unmanned free balloons
  • unmanned rockets
  • remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or drones
  • model aircraft
  • firework displays.

Who it affects

Part 101 of CASR affects:

  • Remotely piloted aircraft owners and operators
  • model aircraft owners and operators

and organisations/individuals involved in:

  • unmanned balloons (including use of a large number of party balloons) and rocket operations
  • firework displays
  • research and development
  • law enforcement
  • surveillance
  • weather research
  • users of airborne telecommunications systems.

Legislation

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments include exemptions to particular regulatory requirements in aviation regulations or a Manual of Standards, but which apply to a broad range of persons. Instruments related to this part will display in this space or you can view our list of legislative instruments.

4 legislative instruments available

Part 101 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Operation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft – Renewal of Directions Instrument 2022
Commences:
CASA 22/22
Obtaining Experience for Grant of RePL for Medium RPA, and for RePL Upgrade to Different Category of Small or Medium RPA
Commences:
CASA EX17/22
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight Instrument 2021
Commences:
CASA EX46/21
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Guidance material

Advisory material provides advice and guidance to explain particular regulatory requirements of a CASR Part. Guidance material relating to this part will appear in this space or you can view all our guidance material.

3 guidance material available

AC 101-03 - Unmanned model aircraft

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 101-03 provides guidance to builders and operators of model aircraft in the operation and construction of model aircraft and the means whereby they may safely and legally operate these aircraft.

DOWNLOAD AC 101-03 Unmanned model aircraft (PDF, 352.77 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

AC 101-05 - Functions and duties of RPAS maintenance controllers

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 101-05 only contains the functions and duties of a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) maintenance controller.

DOWNLOAD AC 101-05 Functions and duties of RPAS maintenance controllers (PDF, 27.4 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 101-01 - Remotely piloted aircraft systems - licensing and operations

Updated:

AC 101-01 describes the categorisation of RPA and general requirements for use of RPAS. It also provides guidance to operators and crew on the safe and legal operation of RPA in all classes of airspace.

DOWNLOAD AC 101-01 Remotely piloted aircraft systems - licensing and operations (PDF, 1.33 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 4.0
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Related content

Date published:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//search-centre/rules/part-101-casr-unmanned-aircraft-and-rockets
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