DRONE License Requirements
License requirements and changes to drone laws for small drones under 2 kg
AirBorn Insight is certified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and has public liability and other relevant insurances to ensure the safety of every mission. Getting our licenses took us over 6 months, and included doing a drone course, sitting the Private Pilot license theory exam and being examined by CASA before being issued our Unmanned Operators Certificate. There are many unlicensed operators that are flying drones without the knowledge they need to fly safely and these operators don’t have insurance, leaving you open to any damages that might occur during flying operations. After September 29 2016 CASA are allowing drones under 2kg to be flown by unlicensed operators, however there are strict conditions under which these people must operate and it is unlikely they will be able to get insurance. The conditions include:
CASA must be notified 5 days before the flight
- You must not operate your drone in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, another person or property.
- You must only fly during the day and keep your drone within visual line-of sight.
- You must not fly your drone higher than 120 metres (400ft) AGL.
- You must keep your drone at least 30 metres away from other people
- You must keep your drone at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes
- You must not fly your drone over any populous areas. These can include beaches, parks and sporting ovals.
- You must not fly your drone over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval).
- You can only fly one drone at a time.
As noted above AirBorn Insight have the appropriate licences to operate in Australia and the company prides itself on observing the operational and maintenance practises required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Having these licences also enables AirBorn Insight to apply for exemptions from CASA and it is possible for us to fly beyond line of sight, or higher than 400 feet, when approval is given for a particular mission from CASA.