New rules on drones to open up skies, despite safety concerns

CASA has allowed more people to operate RPAS commercially, but many foresee accidents on the horizon.

 


By Anthony Wallace

As of 29 September 2016, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) put into the force a deregulation that will allow more people to operate sub-2kg remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS or drones) without the previously mandatory training.

The government body’s move aims to keep pace with the rapid increase in the innovative technology and uses of small RPAS for commercial purposes. However, many industry professionals who use drones have spoken out with concerns that many accidents could result from the deregulation.

As part of the new changes, people and organisations wanting to fly commercial drones with a maximum take-off weight of less than two kilograms no longer need to apply for a certificate and licence from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Read more here.

This story first appeared in Spatial Source.

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