CASA to review remotely piloted aircraft regulations

CASA has set up a project to review the rules currently covering the operations of remotely piloted aircraft in Australia and to develop a package of new guidance material.

CASA will soon publish six advisory circulars to guide both the aviation industry and CASA itself in managing the safety of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) - (formerly known unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs).

The advisory circulars will cover remotely piloted aircraft systems in general, training and licensing, operations, manufacturing and initial airworthiness, maintenance and continuing airworthiness and safety management. Once the advisory material has been developed, a review of the relevant regulations, which are set out in Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, will be conducted.

Importantly, the project will also look at the long-term integration of RPA operations into normal aviation operations in all classes of airspace. The rules covering RPA systems were first drafted nearly 10 years ago in anticipation of such operations.

At the time there was little civilian RPA operational experience to draw on from around the world, resulting in the current rules not containing great detail in areas such as pilot qualifications, risk management and airworthiness.

The current rules provide a basis for CASA’s oversight of the sector, with minimal guidance to the aviation industry. At present, each application for a remotely piloted aircraft systems operation is a standalone exercise and requires significant education of applicants.

With a rapid increase in activity in this sector, there is a risk that unsafe decisions could be made without comprehensive guidance material being available.