Drone Safety Rules

Safety regulations are in place to ensure the well-being of both you and others, whether on the ground or in the sky. These drone safety rules are applicable to all types of drones and remote-controlled aircraft.

Here are the dos and don'ts of flying:

Dos:

✔ Fly only one drone at a time (unless you hold a SWARM endorsement).

✔ Always maintain visual line-of-sight.

✔ Avoid flying in conditions of cloud, fog, or smoke.

✔ Ensure you can directly see your drone with your naked eye, not through goggles, binoculars, or any other device.

✔ Don't fly behind obstacles that obstruct your view, such as trees, buildings, or structures.

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Don'ts:

✖  Don't fly your drone higher than 120 m (400 ft) above ground level, roughly equivalent to the height of a 35-story building or the length of a football field.

✖  Stay at least 30 m away from people, except those assisting in drone control or navigation.

✖  Don't fly over or above people at any height or time, including crowded areas like beaches, roads, events, concerts, or weddings.

✖  Avoid flying in a manner that endangers people, property, or aircraft.

✖  Stay clear of emergency operations.

✖  Do not operate your drone in prohibited or restricted airspace (use a CASA-verified drone safety app for assistance).

✖  Stay at least 5.5 km away from controlled airports (those with control towers) if your drone weighs more than 250 g. Indoor operation is allowed if the drone remains within the building.

Additional Guidelines:

Apart from these drone safety rules, each state may have its own regulations concerning drone use. Always check your state or territory laws before flying.

These regulations stem from the classification of drones, also known as model aircraft or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), based on their size and type. The rules simplify the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101.

Additionally, there's a Part 101 Plain English guide for Micro and Excluded Category RPA, primarily aimed at micro and excluded drone operators, though all drone users can benefit from it.

For further details, read the latest Advisory Circulars to ensure compliance with all relevant rules.

Flying for Sport or Recreation:

No remote pilot license (RePL) is needed for recreational flying. If the drone or model aircraft exceeds 25 kg, you must apply for flight approval.

Flying for Work:

If flying for work or on behalf of an employer, you need either:

• An operator accreditation to fly a drone, 2 kg or less.
• Over 2 kg but no more than 25 kg if flying over your own land.
• A remote pilot license (RePL) to operate for an individual or business holding a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC) for drones weighing more than 2 kg.

Age Limits:

No age limit exists for recreational drone flying. To fly for work or on behalf of an employer, you must be at least 16 years old to register a drone or obtain operator accreditation.

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Reference: CASA - Drone Safety Rules