Automated airspace authorisations trial

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We’re trialling automated airspace authorisations for remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) holders to fly within restricted areas and 5.5 KM (3 NM) of a controlled airport.

Chief remote pilots can apply using a participating CASA-verified drone safety app to fly near the selected trial sites:

Adelaide Airport (YPAD)
Canberra Airport (YSCB)
Perth Airport (YPPH)
Sydney Airport (YSSY)
Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).

It’s free to take part in the trial and any authorisations issued will be free of charge, with no limit on the number issued. We will automatically approve requests that meet the criteria, saving operators time and money.

The requirements

Only organisations that hold an active ReOC can take part in the trial.

The chief remote pilot must submit the request for flights:

within 5.5 KM (3 NM) of Adelaide (YPAD), Canberra (YSCB), Perth (YPPH) and Sydney (YSSY) airports
in Sydney Harbour and surrounds (R405 A/B)
for a registered drone with a maximum take-off weight of less than 25 kg
only during daylight hours
no longer than one calendar day in duration
a maximum of 30 days in advance.

Remote pilots operating under the authorised ReOC can carry out the approved flights, provided the remote pilot holds a valid:

remote pilot licence (RePL)
aviation radio qualification (such as an aeronautical radio operator certificate).

Flight authorisations in the trial are subject to the conditions listed in section 6 of the area approval instrument below.

If your flight does not have authorisation in the trial, or is not at a trial site, you must:

apply for a flight authorisation
pay the related fee
wait a minimum 28 days for us to process the request.

How it works

We will check requests against both our and Airservices data to decide whether we can automatically authorise the operation.

If approved, we will notify you in near real-time in the CASA-verified drone safety app.

If we issue you a new area approval instrument during the trial, we will notify:

your existing airspace authorisation is no longer valid
that you must submit a new request.

For approved flights in the trial, you do not need to:

tell the air traffic control tower before your flight
submit a notice to airmen (NOTAM).

How to take part

To take part in the trial, you must sign-up using a participating CASA-verified drone safety app:

CASA-verified drone safety app providers may impose additional conditions to participate in the trial. For example, completing a non-disclosure agreement.

Instruments

Airspace authorisations issued during the trial are in line with our instruments:

'Area approval and direction for operation of RPA within 3NM of controlled aerodromes using CASA-verified drone safety app'.
'Area approval and direction for operation of RPA within Sydney Harbour Restricted Airspace using CASA-verified drone safety app'.

Instruments will be updated throughout the trial. You must make sure you use the latest version for your flight:

Expired instruments:

Contact us

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Last updated:

23 Jan 2024