The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is proposing a new national registration and accreditation scheme for operating drones in Australia and is seeking community comment.
The Authority plans to introduce the scheme progressively in the second half of 2019.
“Under the proposal most recreational drones weighing more than 250 grams will need to be registered annually using a simple online process,” the Authority said.
“Recreational drone operators who only ever fly indoors, or only at an approved model aircraft airfield will be exempt.”
Chief Executive and Director of Aviation Safety at CASA, Shane Carmody said the proposed registration and accreditation scheme would bring with it a range of safety and community benefits.
“The proposed scheme will make sure everyone who flies a drone knows what the safety rules are,” Mr Carmody said.
“It will also mean we can effectively target safety information to the people who need it.”
He said that importantly, the new scheme would make it easier for authorities to identify when someone was breaking the drone safety rules and take appropriate action which could lead to penalties of up to $10,500.
Registrations are to apply to operators 16 years and over with younger people needing to be supervised by someone 18 or over who was accredited.
“The online process of drone registration and accreditation is estimated to take about 15 minutes for most people to complete,” Mr Carmody said.
He said drones of all weights operatingd for commercial purposes would also need to be registered annually.
Comments on the proposed registration service will be received by CASA until 22 February and further information, including the community survey, can be accessed at this PS News link.
