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

Response 708411400

Personal information

First name

(Required)

Kiran

Last name

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Patel

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 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 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 Ticked For specific operations	All RPA All RPA

Please provide any additional comments:

The sheer number of small recreational RPA's in use and the ease of obtaining them e.g. from large chains like Big W would make the administration cost of registering every single one huge whilst it would be easy to use one without registration and those who would comply and register, would also likely operate in a safe and appropriate manner

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 Above a specific size/weight	For specific operations Ticked For specific operations	All RPA All RPA

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:

Only in certain areas, e.g. around airports and national security/defence installations
a geo fence would interfere hugely with safe and legitimate operation and cause difficulty for commercial operators who would need to have exception technology or the fence down to operate (potentially) e.g. local council sponsored events or advertising work in city

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.

A geo fence or field around aviation centres or around actual aircraft to redirect or force home an RPA that intruded may be acceptable.

Additioanlly in high risk scenarios such as law enforcement, defence and security facilties, a control override which forces the RPA down into a controlled zone after warning the operator would be justifiable

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

projectile based devices (homemade airguns) or electronic weapons that disrupt an RPA without controlling its movements in a safe manner (to ensure that it is brought down or away without harm)

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.

I believe that largely CASA have taken the right approach however there should be more detail given to the operation of non-commercial and/or small commercial operations
specifically the LoS and 120m regulations for high-tech RPA's which are capable of extreme distances and very precise control which cannot be used under current regulation.
Despite the capability of the drone an operator who wishes to use it on a small commercial scale is hard pressed as the qualifications for licenses are costly and time consuming.
I think that an expanded 'middle ground' training could be implemented
for example;
operator wishes to film a wedding with a drone, they are a small one person business and cannot afford 3-5k and a week or more of training
solution; a 1-2 day course which allows commercial operations for RPA's below certain weights and within a slightly expanded range (e.g 1km and 200m) whilst still complying with safety requirements around other aircraft and airports etc.