AVIA2025

Tutorial 2

Introduction to Airborne Drone Management

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Week 2 content
1. Airspace management

2. Aeronautical maps and charts

3. RPA information and knowledge for professional development

Airspace Management
• Difference between controlled and non-controlled airspace?
• ATC (Air traffic control)
• Speed control, vectoring (turning which direction), incoming and outgoing traffic, climb and decent,
manoeuvre controls for landing and take off, runway to land or take off, Traffic information.
• Controlled airspace different airspace within, different classes of airspace. Class G airspace
uncontrolled. Class C, class D.
• How do you think controlled airspace is decided?
• established generally on the basis of traffic density and substantial RPT turbo-jet operations and
considerations of flight procedures. Such airspace does not necessarily cover routes to alternate
aerodromes.
• Controlled airspace is defined as “airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC services are
provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification.
• Usually airspace around airports.
• RPA must stay clear of controlled airspace unless approval is given
• Strict limitations on min distance from aerodromes and helis landing area
Airspace Management

• Which airspace should an RPA operator be most concerned about?

• Controlled airspace.
• What is a non controlled airspace?
• Pilots are responsible for own separation between aircraft and terrain
• Non controlled airspace aircraft movements are not controlled and pilots are responsible for their
own separation from other aircraft and terrain
Airspace Management

• What is an AIP?
• Aeronautical info publication. – PRD areas, to inform the public of the areas. Operations
requirement.
• Is there AIP Australia (CASA) AIP Singapore, (CAAS) AIP hongkong? to specific countries?
• Yes. publication issued by the authority of a state containing all the aeronautical info essential to air
navigation.
• AIP SUP?
• AIP Supplement (SUP) is issued to supplement the information in the AIP when the
information is of a temporary nature, requires advanced distribution, or is appropriate to the
AIP, but would not be made available with sufficient rapidity by the issue of an amendment to
the AIP
Airspace Management

• What is an AIP?
• How many sections are there in AIP?
• 3
• Gen
• ENR (Enroute)
• AD (aerodrome)
• What is important to an RPA operator in ERSA Adelaide?
• Runway length, frequency information (Grd,twr), rescue and firefighter, Apron taxiway.
• helipad, area, or AD obstacle,
▪ Info about emergency procedures and other practical information about runways, obstacles, radio nav,
landing aids of aerodromes etc
▪ contains data concerning many aerodromes in Australia including their location and facilities along with
details of the aerodrome operator and heli landing sites
▪ Contains PRD areas and the details of controlling authority for each area and the associated contact
number
Airspace Management
• What are Notams?
• Notice to airmen
• New information, construction, temporary. Taxiway closed etc.
• How is this beneficial to you as an RPA operator?
• Better situational awareness, runway construction.
• Where do you issue or receive a NOTAM?
• https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/NOTAM_Web_Service.mp4
• NOTAM Contractions (moratech.com)
NOTAM Example:
TWY W NOT AVBL DUE WIP ACCESS TO BAYS 100-103 REQUIRES
15MIN PN FROM 07 160701 TO 08 200700
-Taxiway “Whiskey” is not available due to works in progress. Access to parking bays 100-103 requires 15 minutes prior
notice. This NOTAM is effective from 0701 UTC on July 16th until 0700 UTC on August 20th

For example, if we notice that the second runway of an airport is not in use, how would this possibly affect you
as an RPA operator?
• Possibly higher traffic in one runway, meaning more aircraft are using a specific approach into the runway. Your RPA
operation might be within the flight path. Despite getting clearance to operate you might want to be extra careful
Week 2 content
1. Airspace management

2. Aeronautical maps and charts

3. RPA information and knowledge for professional development

 Aeronautical Maps and charts
• VNC and VTC
• VNC – Visual navigational chart – 1:500 000
• Better for long flight. Different zones.
• Situational awareness.
• VFR – visual flight rules.
• IFR – Instrument flight rules. Some landing ILS – instrument landing system.
• VTC – Visual terminal chart.
• Scale is smaller, 1:250 000.
• The boundaries,
• LL – Lower level
• FL200 – Flight level. 20 000 ft.
• What does the VTC show that are of benefit to RPA operators?
• Airspace – controlled airspace, uncontrolled.
• Sea planes helicopter SFC- 500ft. SFC – surface.
• What procedures must an RPA pilot follow when operating in
the vicinity of:
• a) A controlled aerodrome?
• Height restriction. (120m 400ft)
• Stay 5.5km away from aerodrome. 3(nm)
• SOCS
• b) A non-controlled aerodrome?
• Land off immediately.
Week 2 content
1. Airspace management

2. Aeronautical maps and charts

3. RPA information and knowledge for professional

development
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
• RPA Licensing
• What are the different weight classes of RPA?
• Micro (< 250g)
• Very small (250g – 2kg)
• Small (2kg – 25kg)
• DJI MG-1S - Agricultural Wonder Drone - YouTube
• How the Matrice 300 RTK Boosted Inspection Efficiency at Valmont Utility by 30 Percent -
YouTube
• eBee RTK - The Survey-Grade Mapping Drone - YouTube
• Medium (25kg – 100kg)
• Large (>100kg)
• VoloDrone, Heavy-lift Utility Cargo Drone, Introduced – Agriculture & Construction - YouTube
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
Regulatory approach

Excluded and Included operations, what are the key difference?

• Basically it is low risk
• May at times be operated without approval from CASA
• CASA has determined that certain RPA, in particular circumstances, can be operated
safely in Australian airspace without requiring CASA authorisations in the form of a
remote pilot licence (RePL) and an RPA operator's certificate (ReOC). These low risk
operations are termed as external RPA operations.

All other operations are included operations

• What are 2 requirements under included operation?

• Manage this by requiring all operators and remote pilots to be authorise

• Operator hold ReOC

• Pilot hold RePL.

Requirement for these operator and pilot to be authorised

o REPL and REOC

RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
• CASA’s advisory circular AC101-01v3.0.
CASA AC document take a look at 3.2.
▪ Most important page to assist you in your understanding

• Standard operating conditions (SOCs)

• Important to know SOCs
• Refer to Advisory Circular for SOCs.
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
What are some SOCS to look out for if I am an RPA operator
operating in the EXCLUDED RPA category? (<250g)
▪ <400 ft
▪ VLOS
▪ Daytime
▪ Not operated
• Closer than 30m
• In a P or R area
• Over populous area
• Within 3nm of controlled aerodrome
• Area of public safety operation and 1 RPA flown at a time
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
Can I walk to a park near my home and fly it? What considerations
should come across my mind ?
• Within 5.5 km?
• Away from people 30m
• Is it a PRD?
• Can I fly 2?
Can I operate my micro RPA <250g in a controlled aerodrome?
• Yes. Refer to SOCs
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development
QN:
What is the relationship between SOCs and Excluded/included?
Many of the SOCs introduced previously apply to the general operating conditions for included RPA
operations as well. One of the main difference between the excluded and included operation is that in the
latter the holder of ReOC and RePL can be approved by CASA for operations beyond that are permitted by
SOCs. For instance, the ReOC holding organisation can apply to CASA for an operation to involve a flight
above 400ft ground level or to fly within 3Nm of a controlled aerodrome's movement area. These may be
necessary when undertaking commercial activities requiring aerial survey of a large area, 3D modelling of a
construction site next to a major airport, or undertaking RPA-based shark monitoring in water environments
close to the aerodrome.
• If < small RPA, then you will be classified under excluded operations and therefore subject to operating
within the SOC. If you cant do so, you will have to acquire ReOC or RePL.
RPA information and knowledge for professional development
RQ 2:
Why do you think CASA regulation requires an operation to have a ReOC as well as an RePL for some while
exemptions apply to other operations?
- Dangerous, if you are operating outside of SOCs, then you must operate safely, therefore the requirement to have ReOC and RePL.
o For example, operating at night, or closer than 30m of people.
- The RPA Operator’s Certificate, also known as ReOC, covers the business side of things. If you’re planning to start a drone business, or if
you have a current business for which you wish to add commercial drone usage, you will need to obtain an RPA Operator’s Certificate to
cover your entire business.
- The ReOC requires the lodging of an application. Inside this application are significant details regarding the running of your drone
business. Details of your intended drone operations, staffing, drone equipment, and more, are included in your ReOC application, which is
then submitted to CASA (the Civil Aviation Safety Authority), the official governing body of drone regulations.
- Your ReOC covers your entire business, but you must designate a Chief Controller: an individual who holds a valid Remote Pilot Licence.
- Who needs a RPA Operators Certificate?
o Any business intending to fly drones for commercial purposes in Australia.
- If you fly a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) as part of your job or to deliver a service, you’re usually required to hold a RePL and operate
under a remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC). However, if you intend to operate an RPA (<2kg), for commercial or
professional activities such as work, research, training or community services. Common activities include photography and film-making,
media, university research, real estate, surf lifesaving, and comply with the drone safety rules and standard RPA operating conditions, you
may be permitted to conduct these activities without a RePL and certification requirements. Instead, you will need to register your
drone and obtain an RPA operator accreditation.
 RPA information and knowledge for professional development

RQ 3:
Explain how CASA uses licensing and certification as tools to regulate RPAS operations in
a. non-standard operating conditions and
b. using included RPA.
In a non standard operating condition, CASA manages the risks of these operation by requiring a ReOC and RePL.
i. For example, if having to fly closer than 30m to people or at night ,you need RePL and operate under ReOC. To be able
to fly an RPA under a ReOC, a person must also successfully complete training through a certified training provider and
hold a RePL
There are 3 criteria that an assessment of an operation is deemed to be either excluded or included.
i. Gross weight of RPA
ii. Whether the flight is for sport or recreational purposes
iii. Whether the flight complies with the SOCs.
Since the last criteria is not met, then CASA will assess the gross weight of the RPA and its purpose.
RQ 4:
What is the role of the Chief Remote Pilot? RPA observer?
The Chief Remote Pilot is responsible for the day to day operations for the company. The function of the
Chief Remote Pilot is included in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and is an important component in
the ultimate success of an organisation utilising drones.

RPA observer: A remote crew member who, by visual observation of the RPA and the adjacent airspace,
assists the remote pilot in the safe conduct of the flight.
RPA information and knowledge for professional
development

Additional materials:
Part 101 Micro and excluded Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations - plain english guide
version 1.0 (casa.gov.au)
Drone safety rules – excluded category – YouTube
Questions?