19. May 2014 17:49 by outbackuav in
Posts, News 
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority has published a proposal to remove commercial remotely piloted aircraft from CASA oversight.
The NPRM states that it "relates to Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) used for commercial operations"
It goes on to say "a key part of this amendment acknowledges the existence of a "low risk" class of RPA operations, which are determined as small RPA with a gross weight of 2 kilograms and below while they are being operated under the standard RPA operating conditions as defined and discussed in this NPRM"
"For these RPA operations, CASA proposes that the requirements for a Remote Pilot (RP) Certificate or an Unmanned Aircraft System Operator’s Certificate (UOC) will not apply."
This would be pretty revolutionary given the number of useful tasks a lightweight UAV can perform. A farmer can freely use a Bixler to survey not only his or her crops but also also the crops of neighbours and charge a fee.
"Safe skies for all" is CASA's motto, leading to some huffing and puffing by some who believe this will lead to nation's airliners sucking in "drones. I think not having to have a UAS operators' certificate won't lead to an increase of idiots, possibly the reverse. It may be a sensible way to ultimately increase public knowledge and responsibility regarding remotely piloted aircraft.