The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has released its Aviation Safety Drone Discussion Paper, which sets out Australian and international aviation safety regulatory arrangements for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) – or drones.
CASA’s paper seeks industry and community comment on potential regulatory approaches to cover the increased application of drone technology in the future.
It is seeking comment on five key aviation safety issues, including drone registration; training and education of drone operators; geo-fencing; counter drone technology; and future approaches to drone aviation safety regulation.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester has welcomed the release of the discussion paper, explaining that the paper would give the wider community, as well as government agencies and industry, the opportunity to have input into consideration of future safety regulation of drones.
“Drones are a rapidly growing part of the aviation sector, and we must get the balance right between ensuring the safety and security of the public, and avoiding unnecessary red tape,” Mr. Chester said.
“As the paper indicates, aviation safety regulators around the world are facing challenges in maintaining high levels of safety without unnecessarily impeding opportunities to use drones for industry and recreational applications.”
Mr Chester said the review would take into account technological and operational growth of the RPA community, and developments in the International Civil Aviation Organisation and other international aviation safety agencies.
The discussion paper is available online: consultation.casa.gov.au/.