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ARTICLE · 26 SEPTEMBER 2016

Clearer skies for drone regulation in Australia

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In response to growing interest in the commercial use of drones or RPAs in Australia, CASA has developed new regulations.

AustraliaTransport
Frances Wheelahan
Frances Wheelahan
Lynton Brooks
Lynton Brooks
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In response to growing interest in the commercial use of drones or remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) in Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has developed new regulations that will take effect from 29 September 2016.

RPAs can offer a cheaper, easier and safer means of accessing difficult or remote locations (for example, optical surveillance of powerlines, pipelines, mine sites, construction sites or farmland), and, as such, their popularity is rapidly increasing in numerous industries.

From 29 September 2016, however, new drone regulations developed by CASA will take effect. These new regulations will amend Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR), which is the primary regulatory instrument affecting RPAs in Australia.

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