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

Response 539954253

Personal information

Do your views officially represent those of an organisation?

If yes, please specify the organisation:

PlaneTorque Australia Pty Ltd

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 Ticked Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations Ticked 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

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 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 For specific operations	All RPA All RPA

Please provide any additional comments:

Demonstration of proficiency must be cost effective for all stake holders. Given today's technology surely this could be by a secure log on computer simulation.

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:

As long as an operator with appropriate authority can operate within any such fenced area. This will also make the general public unable to fly their drones near/in safety sensitive areas. For example, I wonder how many recreational drone pilots living under military airspace concern themselves with NOTAMs. Of course, the drone itself must be capable of being so controlled.

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.

More research into an integrated low altitude airspace management system is needed. Development of small lightweight and CASA acceptable devices (Kits) that would allow other drone operators in the area, ATC and other normal aircraft to see in real time what the lower airspace drone risks were. For BVLOS flights this should be mandated if it is not already the case.

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

Unauthorised activities near/over/at controlled airports. Of course, it would seem logical that if for example, an airport officer brought a drone down (By whatever device/method used) near/over/at an airport and that drone was actually duly authorised then said airport would need to be responsible legally for losses incurred by drone operator.

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.

The sad truth is you cannot regulate for or police regulations for those in society who do not want to educate themselves and comply.

Often people are also very bad at even reading signs (Speed limits on roads, use of a mobile phone when driving etc. etc.).

However, one example where a simple sign could go some way towards alerting the general public is at the entrance to places like National Parks, as you can see in USA.

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.

I personally think the under 2 kg/commercial ops decision was a poor one and suspect it was to some extent needed due to a lack of CASA resources in RPA area.
The list, which surely CASA must have, should be a public domain dynamic source on website same as registered operators.