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

Response 87171942

Personal information

First name

(Required)

Ron

Last name

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Kelly

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

Please provide any additional comments:

Smaller purely recreational craft need to be excluded from any such scheme due to the sheer difficulty in policing/regulating them. No major incidents can be attributed to their use and they should be viewed the same way as other R/C devices until such time as they pose a measurable threat.

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:

The 2kg weight as per current practice would seem to be a reasonable cut-off point.

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:

Too many areas are not up to date with usage zoning etc. Also where permission is granted to operators by responsible agencies, this would cause further complication to be temporarily edited.
Generally speaking I believe the knee jerk response of closing off areas such as national parks etc. is way over the top and unnecessary given the actual threats involved. Much worse damage is done by other means than RPA. The cost and reduction of freedoms is not justified by any evidence of widespread damage.

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.

I have no problem with "Counter Drone" operations when a serious threat is in process. Just the same as for any other security risk. However, I am suspicious that such powers would be misused against legitimate operators by over zealous agencies. Basically, I think there's just not the need other than a perceived one.

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

I need to be convinced that the cost of such measures is warranted. I don't believe it is. The only area where value for investment might be warranted is the investigation of jamming technology.

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 hope that CASA adopts a cautious approach to impinging on the freedoms of RPA use. The race to curtail freedoms especially in National Parks is totally unwarranted by any evidence of damage by such craft. There'll always be a few rogues doing the wrong thing and I agree they should be dealt with but I find the over-regulation and blanket rules such as the 30 metre exclusion around people (even when they are willing subjects) is unwarranted. There is too much erring on the side of caution which causes otherwise reasonable operators to rebel. Much better to trust the overwhelming majority of enthusiasts to use common sense. Crack down on the cowboys but allow the sensible to enjoy the pastime/hobby/income source responsibly.