Drone discussion paper - Review of RPAS operations (DP 1708OS) - Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Response 409292472

Personal information

First name

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David

Last name

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Rebbettes

Should all RPA be registered?

Select your preferred registration options.

	None	Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations	All RPA
By RPA Please select all that apply	None None	Above a specific size/weight Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations For specific operations	All RPA All RPA
By RPA owner Please select all that apply	None None	Above a specific size/weight Ticked Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations Ticked For specific operations	All RPA All RPA
By RPA operator Please select all that apply	None None	Above a specific size/weight Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations For specific operations	All RPA Ticked All RPA

Please provide any additional comments:

There is no convincing evidence from the US that registering drones made any significant difference to safety, but increased the workload of the regulator exponentially.

Keeping surveillance on known operators is more practical.

Should all RPA users be required to meet training / proficiency criteria?

Select your preferred training and proficiency options.

	None	Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations	All RPA
Training Please select all that apply	None None	Above a specific size/weight Ticked Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations Ticked For specific operations	All RPA All RPA
Demonstration of proficiency Please select all that apply	None None	Above a specific size/weight Ticked Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations Ticked For specific operations	All RPA All RPA

Please provide any additional comments:

There should be a limit placed, by the drone manufacturer on smaller drones on the height and distance that they can operate. All drones below two kilos.

This restriction may be lifted by holders of a REOPL.

Should the introduction of geo-fencing be mandated?

Should CASA mandate the introduction of geo-fencing options to limit the operation of RPA in certain areas?

Please select one item

Yes

Please provide your comments:

Providing geofencing can be lifted temporarily for commercial ops.

What should be done about 'counter-drone' technology?

Provide your views on the ways in which counter-drone technologies should be managed and in what circumstances they should be used.

Counter drone technology, should only be used by licensed authorities such as police, customs,prison authorities, emergency workers under certain circumstances and should be a mandatory reportable incident.

Specify any particular aspects of counter-drone technology or its potential uses to which CASA should be devoting more attention.

CASA as the regulator only concern should be safety. Counter drone technology should remain a law and order issue that CASA should avoid.

Law and order and licensing of weapons is generally a state issue.

Authorities that would use counter-drone technology should be approved by CASA. As any interference with an aircraft is a federal issue.

Are we doing enough of the right things?

CASA seeks your view on the way in which we are approaching regulation of RPA in Australia today and for the future.

There is a rapidly growing industry that should be regulated and the only way to do that is by licensing operators.

All commercial operations should only be done by a n RePL holder regardless of weight or class of the drone. Small drone operations by small, or one person operators should exempt from needing an operators licence.

General comments

Please provide any final comments about CASA's review of RPA operations. You can use the comments box or upload a file submission.

CASA will need to view this as a work in progress with any rules being subject to change. The meteoric technological advancements will bring about huge changes in potential uses.

It is possible that unmanned drone taxis may be operational in places like The Emirates, Singapore and other venues in the next couple of years. How would CASA be able to deal with this.

CASA is in effect attempting to regulate technologies and businesses that have yet to be invented.