Drones in Australia (UAV/UAS)
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Well done CAANZ for Part 101/102 NPRM
The [CAANZ] government has decided, at this stage, not to adopt the ICAO categorisations of model aircraft and UAS. This distinction is that model aircraft are flown for recreational purposes only, and UAS are flown for commercial, research or other non-recreational purposes.
The proposed regulation will allow low risk UAS commercial operations up to 15kg TOW without any specific approval and up to 25kg with an aircraft airworthiness inspection required. Inspections to be carried out by approved persons or organisations.
Shielded operations, meaning operations below obstacle height (within 100m) allowed within 4km of aerodromes without approval (400ft AGL max)
Higher risk operations such as Beyond Line of Sight, Controlled Airspace and operations over property without owner consent regulated under a new Part 102 Operator's Certificate proposal.
Generally it seems like a great set of foundation regulations that are fundamentally based on common sense and risk.
Would it be the most enabling UAS proposed regulations in the world? Read the proposal through the links below. It is a very well structured proposal and well worth the effort to read.
CAA NZ NPRM
http://www.caa.govt.nz/rules/nprms/N...1_Part_102.pdf
CAA NZ AC
http://www.caa.govt.nz/Advisory_Circ...02-1_draft.pdf
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Sydney NSW Australia
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CASA seam to be on the ball with drones.
i will admit, i have one of these drones, but have never flown it outside of the CASA restrictions on its operation, they are great fun. But some people will never be responsible with them, either through sheer ignorance of the dangers they are posing and the rules regarding their use, or just dont think they will get caught.. normally i am against CASA's tactic of trolling youtube looking for crimes of strict liability, as they usually present no solid evidence of the perpetrators, but that doesnt stop them.. but in this case, i am glad they have.
In Australia, Posting Drone Video On YouTube Might Get You Fined | Gizmodo Australia
its funny, with the use of these drones, there seams to be a bit of a backlash in their use, privacy concerns, they could be used by people of religious persuasion, or fall on someones head, funny, this issue never arises when remote control helicopters and aircraft can do the exact same things.
Last week, i launched my drone from my back yard, to get a good look at my new solar panel installation, and get a nice sunset shot across the park from just 100 ft. when the drone returned from its short trip 500 mtrs down the road to get the shot, it returned home and hovered above my yard so i could aim the camera at the panels. this is when my neighbor came over the back fence and complained i was invading his privacy. as the drone hovered, i showed him the pics, he wasn't impressed, he was in them looking up, then i compared the photo with the google maps image, it was almost identical, then i showed him the pics i have taken from light aircraft passing overhead our properties, (showing far more detail from a decent DSLR with a long lens) after which, he became mode accepting of the drone.
yes, i do fear hitting one of these things, especially flying the V1 coastal route regularly, and having seen a few youtube vids myself shot from drones in the vicinity.
I dont want these things banned, they are fun, i love mine, but CASA doing stuff like this, just might educate someone enough to not put anyone in danger.
IMO, as these rely almost entirely on GPS for positioning and flight control, im sure a max limit of 400Ft AGL could be easily hardwired into drones sold around the world at manufacture. just in case...
In Australia, Posting Drone Video On YouTube Might Get You Fined | Gizmodo Australia
received a $850 fine after uploading footage to YouTube of him operating a DJI Phantom drone that flew within the Townsville restricted control zone, flying above the 400-foot ceiling for civil or hobby use, over populous areas, and within three miles of Townsville Airport.
Last week, i launched my drone from my back yard, to get a good look at my new solar panel installation, and get a nice sunset shot across the park from just 100 ft. when the drone returned from its short trip 500 mtrs down the road to get the shot, it returned home and hovered above my yard so i could aim the camera at the panels. this is when my neighbor came over the back fence and complained i was invading his privacy. as the drone hovered, i showed him the pics, he wasn't impressed, he was in them looking up, then i compared the photo with the google maps image, it was almost identical, then i showed him the pics i have taken from light aircraft passing overhead our properties, (showing far more detail from a decent DSLR with a long lens) after which, he became mode accepting of the drone.
yes, i do fear hitting one of these things, especially flying the V1 coastal route regularly, and having seen a few youtube vids myself shot from drones in the vicinity.
I dont want these things banned, they are fun, i love mine, but CASA doing stuff like this, just might educate someone enough to not put anyone in danger.
IMO, as these rely almost entirely on GPS for positioning and flight control, im sure a max limit of 400Ft AGL could be easily hardwired into drones sold around the world at manufacture. just in case...
dronery...
Ultralights...you obviously don't read the Aviation pages of the Friday Australian.
see Jan 16
There are 2 articles there...one about the operating limits for the smallies and someone getting busted for hitting a power line and dropping near a Polis Man...very unfortunate for the operator. Ka-ching for the coffers $850.
There is, once again the BS statement that..."It is also illegal to fly for money or economic reward" Pray do tell WTF has being paid for an image you capture, when yr quadcopter is operating within the CAsA arbitary limits got to do with "safety" SFA actually.
And as even the late unlamented DAS said at a Senate hearing."(I say)again, CAsA is a "safety" regulator NOT a commercial regulator"
And if you can't have yr 2 kg gizmo within 30 metres of a person....how come at airfields you can have student helicopter trainees just about combing yr hair while wobbling past the hangar door, not even a couple of blade lengths away?
I know which is the more bloody dangerous.!!
And the second article talks about the legalities on whether CAsA has the right to limit drones at all due constitutional issues. A good read.
Which puts paid to your hard-wiring idea. Any limits here may not apply in other countries
CAsA only seems to be on the ball.? And if we let the control freaks run rampant without contesting their arbitary limits and "rules", legal or otherwise then the balls in question will be those in their squirrel grip on a potential vibrant new industry.
Fly free. Be safe.
see Jan 16
There are 2 articles there...one about the operating limits for the smallies and someone getting busted for hitting a power line and dropping near a Polis Man...very unfortunate for the operator. Ka-ching for the coffers $850.
There is, once again the BS statement that..."It is also illegal to fly for money or economic reward" Pray do tell WTF has being paid for an image you capture, when yr quadcopter is operating within the CAsA arbitary limits got to do with "safety" SFA actually.
And as even the late unlamented DAS said at a Senate hearing."(I say)again, CAsA is a "safety" regulator NOT a commercial regulator"
And if you can't have yr 2 kg gizmo within 30 metres of a person....how come at airfields you can have student helicopter trainees just about combing yr hair while wobbling past the hangar door, not even a couple of blade lengths away?
I know which is the more bloody dangerous.!!
And the second article talks about the legalities on whether CAsA has the right to limit drones at all due constitutional issues. A good read.
Which puts paid to your hard-wiring idea. Any limits here may not apply in other countries
CAsA only seems to be on the ball.? And if we let the control freaks run rampant without contesting their arbitary limits and "rules", legal or otherwise then the balls in question will be those in their squirrel grip on a potential vibrant new industry.
Fly free. Be safe.
funny, this issue never arises when remote control helicopters and aircraft can do the exact same things.
across the park from just 100 ft. when the drone returned from its short trip 500 mtrs down the road
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mine was never out of sight.... and believe me, its expensive, i dont ever want to lose sight of it.. though it was far away, but i plan each flight with it, sent it on its way, orientated the right direction for my purpose, and all that was needed to return it home manually was a pull back on the stick, no orientation change needed, as that far away, orientation becomes an issue. though, LEDs, and radar on the controller help with that...... and fortunately, living in a relatively new suburb, all powerlines are underground. no major roads nearby, and the flight never went over a building, except mine.
i hope most other operators take the same level or risk analysis before every flight..
i hope most other operators take the same level or risk analysis before every flight..
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The FAA Leaps Ahead
As predicted, the FAA took a while to come out with their proposed rule, but on first reading appears to be sensible and pragmatic 
Press Release ? DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli..._signature.pdf
Press Release ? DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_poli..._signature.pdf
Thread Starter
Oh dear, criminals using drones. Luckily small time stuff at the moment... What next..
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has been urged to create no-fly zones over prisons to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities.
In March last year, a 28-year-old man allegedly used a drone to fly drugs into the Ravenhall maximum security prison in Melbourne's west.
Fear of drug-smuggling drones prompts Victorian Minister to call for no-fly zone around prisons - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has been urged to create no-fly zones over prisons to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities.
In March last year, a 28-year-old man allegedly used a drone to fly drugs into the Ravenhall maximum security prison in Melbourne's west.
Fear of drug-smuggling drones prompts Victorian Minister to call for no-fly zone around prisons - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
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Thread Starter
Whoa..
Quiet the precedent from the U.S.A.
"If you fly drones and post the video footage on YouTube, the Federal Aviation Administration may send you a letter.
Earlier this week, the agency sent a legal notice to Jayson Hanes, a Tampa-based drone hobbyist who has been posting drone-shot videos online for roughly the last year.
The FAA said that, because there are ads on YouTube, Hanes’s flights constituted a commercial use of the technology subject to stricter regulations and enforcement action from the agency. It said that if he did not stop flying “commercially,” he could be subject to fines or sanctions.
“This office has received a complaint regarding your use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (aka drone) for commercial purposes referencing your video on the website youtube.com as evidence,” the letter reads. “After a review of your website, it does appear that the complaint is valid.”
The hobby use of drones and other model aircraft has never been regulated by the FAA, but the agency has been adamant about making a distinction between hobby and commercial use, which has led to much confusion over the last couple years...."
Continues... FAA says no to posting drone videos on YouTube | Impact Lab
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Quiet the precedent from the U.S.A.
"If you fly drones and post the video footage on YouTube, the Federal Aviation Administration may send you a letter.
Earlier this week, the agency sent a legal notice to Jayson Hanes, a Tampa-based drone hobbyist who has been posting drone-shot videos online for roughly the last year.
The FAA said that, because there are ads on YouTube, Hanes’s flights constituted a commercial use of the technology subject to stricter regulations and enforcement action from the agency. It said that if he did not stop flying “commercially,” he could be subject to fines or sanctions.
“This office has received a complaint regarding your use of an unmanned aerial vehicle (aka drone) for commercial purposes referencing your video on the website youtube.com as evidence,” the letter reads. “After a review of your website, it does appear that the complaint is valid.”
The hobby use of drones and other model aircraft has never been regulated by the FAA, but the agency has been adamant about making a distinction between hobby and commercial use, which has led to much confusion over the last couple years...."
Continues... FAA says no to posting drone videos on YouTube | Impact Lab
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Thread Starter
Amazing what yer can buy from the toy shop for $1,500.....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WmLlTzQeM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r2WmLlTzQeM
Lots of tourists bringing UAV's into Fiji and flying them unlicensed.
Personally I have no problem with that, but it's when they do **** like you see in the first few seconds of this video that I get really pissed off. This prick has come in and made a (admittedly spectacular) video before returning to his home country without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, if this is ever seen by the dinosaurs at CAAFI, us Fijian hobbyists will have tighter regulations come down on us like a ton of bricks.
https://vimeo.com/99295619
Personally I have no problem with that, but it's when they do **** like you see in the first few seconds of this video that I get really pissed off. This prick has come in and made a (admittedly spectacular) video before returning to his home country without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, if this is ever seen by the dinosaurs at CAAFI, us Fijian hobbyists will have tighter regulations come down on us like a ton of bricks.
https://vimeo.com/99295619
And. as mentioned by 'AMROBA', - note not 'endorsed' by them, but 'for info only'....as in a curiosity news item....
"Drones used in maintenance!!!!"
“EASYJET has begun using automated drones to carry out safety inspections on its aircraft, the airline says.
At an event at Milan's Malpensa airport, the Britain-based budget airline said a test inspection on an aircraft had been completed by one of the unmanned vehicles, and it planned to bring drones into service across its engineering bases in Europe over the coming year.
The airline said the implementation of the technology will help reduce the number of hours an aircraft is out of service because of inspections – which are routinely done after events such as lightning strikes.
Ian Davies, EasyJet's head of engineering, said: "The use of these emerging technologies frees up our engineering and digital teams to enable them to undertake more skilled tasks, keeping our costs down, which in turn keeps our fares low, helps minimise delays and ensures that we maintain our industry-leading punctuality for our passengers.”
Now, whilst I can imagine a drone picture giving an 'overall picture' of the top of a tailplane / rudder hinge assy, I just cannot imagine that I would be 'happy' with such an 'inspection' - whether this be deemed to be a 'pre flight' insp or not.....
Cheers
"Drones used in maintenance!!!!"
“EASYJET has begun using automated drones to carry out safety inspections on its aircraft, the airline says.
At an event at Milan's Malpensa airport, the Britain-based budget airline said a test inspection on an aircraft had been completed by one of the unmanned vehicles, and it planned to bring drones into service across its engineering bases in Europe over the coming year.
The airline said the implementation of the technology will help reduce the number of hours an aircraft is out of service because of inspections – which are routinely done after events such as lightning strikes.
Ian Davies, EasyJet's head of engineering, said: "The use of these emerging technologies frees up our engineering and digital teams to enable them to undertake more skilled tasks, keeping our costs down, which in turn keeps our fares low, helps minimise delays and ensures that we maintain our industry-leading punctuality for our passengers.”
Now, whilst I can imagine a drone picture giving an 'overall picture' of the top of a tailplane / rudder hinge assy, I just cannot imagine that I would be 'happy' with such an 'inspection' - whether this be deemed to be a 'pre flight' insp or not.....
Cheers
Lots of tourists bringing UAV's into Fiji and flying them unlicensed.
Personally I have no problem with that, but it's when they do **** like you see in the first few seconds of this video that I get really pissed off. This prick has come in and made a (admittedly spectacular) video before returning to his home country without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, if this is ever seen by the dinosaurs at CAAFI, us Fijian hobbyists will have tighter regulations come down on us like a ton of bricks.
Personally I have no problem with that, but it's when they do **** like you see in the first few seconds of this video that I get really pissed off. This prick has come in and made a (admittedly spectacular) video before returning to his home country without a care in the world.
Meanwhile, if this is ever seen by the dinosaurs at CAAFI, us Fijian hobbyists will have tighter regulations come down on us like a ton of bricks.
https://vimeo.com/isaacalongi
Thread Starter
Expected in Oz soon...
Overseas, them drones just keep making a pest of themselves...
"Two drones temporarily halted air tanker operations Thursday on the Sterling Fire burning in the foothills north of San Bernardino, California,..."
Two drones reported near Sterling Fire on Thursday | Fire Aviation
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"Two drones temporarily halted air tanker operations Thursday on the Sterling Fire burning in the foothills north of San Bernardino, California,..."
Two drones reported near Sterling Fire on Thursday | Fire Aviation
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Thread Starter
There may be a counter to them errant toyshop drones, and another 'toy' for the Oz military to acquire...
"In May 2015, MBDA Deutschland deployed a laser effector to acquire, track, and defeat a free-flying mini drone, the first time such technology has been used to this effect. The mini drone was destroyed within seconds of the start of the test which was carried out at MBDA Deutschland’s testing area in Schrobenhausen. The drone in question manoeuvred in the target area at a range of about 500m with the test proving the laser effector's capability to combat realistic targets with precision, speed and safety.
Commercial mini drones represent a new type of threat that is nearly impossible to counter with conventional effectors. In 2013 a mini drone crashed at a distance of only two meters from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other dignitaries during an election campaign event being held in Dresden, Germany. In France alone, more than 60 overflights by such craft over strategically significant locations have been reported since October 2014. Highly precise and scalable laser weapon systems could protect major events and critical infrastructures and close a current capability gap.
At the heart of MBDA Deutschland's technological approach is a multi-stage, highly precise tracking procedure and laser effector that bundles numerous laser sources into a single laser beam using the principle of geometric coupling. These processes make it possible to combat small, highly agile targets reliably with a single laser effector."
...and will there be no-fly zones around these defense sytems just in case they miss-identify that cessna 152 ?
Missile systems, defence systems - MBDA missiles
"In May 2015, MBDA Deutschland deployed a laser effector to acquire, track, and defeat a free-flying mini drone, the first time such technology has been used to this effect. The mini drone was destroyed within seconds of the start of the test which was carried out at MBDA Deutschland’s testing area in Schrobenhausen. The drone in question manoeuvred in the target area at a range of about 500m with the test proving the laser effector's capability to combat realistic targets with precision, speed and safety.
Commercial mini drones represent a new type of threat that is nearly impossible to counter with conventional effectors. In 2013 a mini drone crashed at a distance of only two meters from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other dignitaries during an election campaign event being held in Dresden, Germany. In France alone, more than 60 overflights by such craft over strategically significant locations have been reported since October 2014. Highly precise and scalable laser weapon systems could protect major events and critical infrastructures and close a current capability gap.
At the heart of MBDA Deutschland's technological approach is a multi-stage, highly precise tracking procedure and laser effector that bundles numerous laser sources into a single laser beam using the principle of geometric coupling. These processes make it possible to combat small, highly agile targets reliably with a single laser effector."
...and will there be no-fly zones around these defense sytems just in case they miss-identify that cessna 152 ?
Missile systems, defence systems - MBDA missiles
I just joined the masses and bought one on eBay for $80 to see what all the fuzz is about. Has a camera and gives amazing footage streamed back to the iPhone. Best $80 I ever spent! Almost identical to fly to an electric or nitro model Heli. As an electric model it's great fun, highly maneuverable and a real blast skimming along a foot or two off the ground up to a couple of hundred feet. When it all goes bad just cut the throttle and she drops to the ground safely. It's not heavy enough to damage itself when it hits the ground.
I can see why everyone is getting into it now...
I can see why everyone is getting into it now...
Thread Starter
What will they think of next..
"...As for the smuggling possibilities, officers at Bedford Prison recently found a drone stuck in the razor wire of the prison’s perimeter, packed with a cargo of drugs, mobile phones, screwdrivers and a knife. Only last week, another security scare was sparked when a drone with a camera crashed into a jail for sex offenders, Whatton Prison in Nottinghamshire.
The Ministry of Justice has revealed that between February and May this year there were seven drone seizures. Who knows how many slipped through the barbed wire?
And, of course, there remains the terrible threat of a drone-based terror attack. Security chiefs are said to be extremely fearful of terrorists packing drones with explosives and using them to attack large outdoor events such as football matches or festivals..."
Cameron's former chief speech writer says we should be worried about drones | Daily Mail Online
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"...As for the smuggling possibilities, officers at Bedford Prison recently found a drone stuck in the razor wire of the prison’s perimeter, packed with a cargo of drugs, mobile phones, screwdrivers and a knife. Only last week, another security scare was sparked when a drone with a camera crashed into a jail for sex offenders, Whatton Prison in Nottinghamshire.
The Ministry of Justice has revealed that between February and May this year there were seven drone seizures. Who knows how many slipped through the barbed wire?
And, of course, there remains the terrible threat of a drone-based terror attack. Security chiefs are said to be extremely fearful of terrorists packing drones with explosives and using them to attack large outdoor events such as football matches or festivals..."
Cameron's former chief speech writer says we should be worried about drones | Daily Mail Online
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Sqwawk7700:
I almost bought one on the way back from Europe.
However there will need to be no fly zones around Airports and ALA's quite soon in my opinion, and they will need to be backed up with legislation and double digit jail terms.
It is not rocket (or drone) science to understand why.
I just joined the masses and bought one on eBay for $80 to see what all the fuzz is about. Has a camera and gives amazing footage streamed back to the iPhone. Best $80 I ever spent! Almost identical to fly to an electric or nitro model Heli. As an electric model it's great fun, highly maneuverable and a real blast skimming along a foot or two off the ground up to a couple of hundred feet. When it all goes bad just cut the throttle and she drops to the ground safely. It's not heavy enough to damage itself when it hits the ground.
I can see why everyone is getting into it now...
I can see why everyone is getting into it now...
However there will need to be no fly zones around Airports and ALA's quite soon in my opinion, and they will need to be backed up with legislation and double digit jail terms.
It is not rocket (or drone) science to understand why.