CASA tightens drone rules

While rules in the US appear to be loosening, at least for one national broadcaster, the rules in Australia have just been bulked up and revised by CASA.

CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody says that the new rules will not be overly onerous on users, but are nonetheless important and seek to make things safer in the sky. He went on to say that CASA had identified some areas in the drone rules that needed strengthening and clarifying to better manage the risks associated with flying drones. “We certainly don’t want to ban recreational drones but we do have to make sure public safety is properly protected,” he said.

The new rules, tightened in response to community concerns, affect both recreational and non-recreational users. They prohibit drones from being used where fire, police, or other emergency operations are underway. The only exception to this is where approval has been provided by the person in charge of the emergency operation.

CASA also reaffirmed current rules which prohibit the use of drones over crowds and that flights may only occur during daylight, and must be within visual line of sight. CASA’s new drone site provides additional information. Meanwhile, they will will continue their review into the recreational and commercial use of drones.