Australia’s federal aviation body is seeking comment on a draft set of new rules for use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

The proposed changes are aimed at tightening up regulation around attaining a remote pilot’s licence by creating standards and the first official syllabi for the license, and also introduce new standards to facilitate ‘extended visual line of sight (EVLOS)’ flight.

This latter change will likely be a welcome change to the currently strict regulations around line of sight RPAS operation for many commercial operators, though they still require the use of observers to maintain constant visual contact with the aircraft.

CASA notes that the proposed changes will mainly affect commercial operators, with only the new rules clarifying requirements for flying in controlled and non-controlled airspace affecting some recreational pilots.

The new changes apply to the Part 101 Manual of Standards governing all unmmanned aircraft and rocket flight, and will also affect those that fly aircraft that conform to the sub-two-kilogram ‘excluded’ operations category.

CASA seeks comment from all sectors of the community, particularly the aviation industry, but also government agencies and the general non-flying public.

You can access CASA’s detailed summary and documents containing the new rules and feedback form at their page for the proposed Part 101 updates.

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