BVLOS drone operations in regional Australia

Closed 8 Dec 2023

Opened 11 Oct 2023

Contact

Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Change Branch

131 757

regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au

Results updated 4 Mar 2024

CASA’s Beyond visual line-of-sight drone operations in regional Australia survey results

CASA continues to support and promote growth of remotely piloted aircraft sector. We are reviewing regulations to facilitate non-complex BVLOS operations.

As part of this review, CASA surveyed the RPA sector, which includes those currently operating drones or intending to do so, with a focus on BVLOS operations.

Feedback from respondents underscores the challenges of receiving BVLOS approvals for operations in agriculture and remote and regional areas of Australia.

The survey responses highlighted the following significant barriers:

  • lengthy and complex process of obtaining BVLOS approvals
  • need to get approvals for each location
  • significant time and resource burdens.

There is a clear desire for more efficient processes such as area permits and a simplified short notice approvals.

The survey results have given us a clearer picture of current and future BVLOS drone use in Australia. This will help us improve the regulatory framework and streamline operational approvals.

CASA extends its sincere gratitude to all respondents for their invaluable contributions and insightful perspectives. Your feedback has played a crucial role in shedding light on the challenges faced by operators within the agriculture sector and in rural and regional areas of Australia, particularly in BVLOS operations.

Read the full Beyond visual line-of-sight drone operations in regional Australia Summary of Survey.

Files:

Overview

This important survey will help us to build a snapshot of the current and future use of lower-risk beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in Australia. This survey is for anyone that operates or intends to operate drones BVLOS.

We especially want to hear from the agricultural sector who could benefit from the use of drones operated BVLOS in activities such as spray management, mustering, farm and land management, or related agricultural outcomes.

BVLOS operations are when the drone pilot cannot see the drone with their own eyes and relies on cameras on board the drone or other location-based information directly from the drone to orient and fly.

Extended visual line of sight operations (EVLOS) are when the drone pilot cannot see the drone with their own eyes and a trained observer (or observers) maintains awareness and visual line of sight of the drone. The observer may be in the same location as or away from the pilot, with communication between both roles occurring with or without the use of a radio or phone.

In this survey, we are seeking information on how drones are used and the types of BVLOS operations you intend or currently undertake so that we can improve the regulatory framework and streamline operational approvals.

We will ask you for:

  • personal information, such as your name, any organisation you represent, and your email address
  • your responses to the proposed questions
  • any comments you may want to provide
  • information to help us understand your area of operation.

Our website contains more information on submitting a response and what we do with your feedback.

Why your views matter

The objectives of this survey are to collect information to:

  • provide a picture of the use of, or intended use of drones for BVLOS operations across Australia
  • review demographic and geographic information of BVLOS activities in Australia
  • identify key benefits from, and challenges to, increased BVLOS drone operations
  • identify areas where regulatory improvements may be applied for lower-risk, low altitude BVLOS drone operations.

Audiences

  • Drone operators

Interests

  • Drones/uncrewed aircraft systems