Legalities for running a 450 Size AP Ship in Australia

[ben1101]

Hi,

I want to take aerial photos commercially in Australia on a 450 size electric helicopter, are there any legal hurdles I may face, or would it be a matter of insurance?

Any info or links regarding AP legality in OZ would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks!

Ben

[Tonystott]

Hi,

I want to take aerial photos commercially in Australia on a 450 size electric helicopter, are there any legal hurdles I may face, or would it be a matter of insurance?

Any info or links regarding AP legality in OZ would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks!

Ben
Where to start.,.. Google CASA and read rule 101. Bottom line is that you will need a UAV Operator's Certificate, which will cost you at least $3,500 in CASA fees (they were talking about flying two inspectors from Brisbane to Sydney to inspect my operations base - when I pointed out that this was the boot of my car, they suggested I would be better off flying to Brisbane ot put on a demnstration flight for them there) You need to pass ground school in General Aviation and Radio Communications, you need to have a two-way radio for communications with the local air traffic controllers, you need to produce a comprehensive operations manual and maintenance manual, and probably also have either you or a colleague obtain a formal UAV Maintenance Officer Certificate.

Or, you turn your back on this stupid Dad's Army joke and get a tethered kite, hot-air balloon and mast, so CASA can sit on it and turn!

[thePreacher]

hahah wow you guys got it bad, sucks to be you guys

[aramsdell]

Preacher. If you are in the US are you aware of what is happening here along the SAME lines??? I suggest visiting RCAPA website and also Aviation letters on APL etc. You may just hush a little.

Al

[Efliernz]

We are very lucky in New Zealand - where the CAA office in charge of re-writing the UAV laws is a sport aircraft and model pilot. Submissions where asked for and they are close to the final copy now i believe. A graduated weight system (inertia) will probably be employed plus the acknowedgement of the differences in skills/qualifications between a modeller flying low within eye-view and a gps-guided beast. They will still want a logbook system for the craft showing times and maintenance but I already run that anyway...
I do feel for you guys in other countries...

[ben1101]

Thanks for the info Tony,

The document is very useful. I am hoping due to the fact I am using a small helicopter I will be exempt from the UAV rules and regulations and have it as a matter of insurance.

I have no fly conditions (wx and geographical) defined and safety protocol regarding spectators, abort points etc. The type of operations I will initially be doing will be 100-150ft altitude and not far away from the take off point.

Obviously when (and if) aerial services expand to larger machines the matter will be reviewed. The business plan is (now) being modeled on the legal requirements and operational boundaries in place.

So I will see how it goes with CASA and let you (all) know -

Ben

[Griffo]

Ben, I'm not sure that the CASA regs distinguish the diff between a 450 size heli and a 90 size. If it's for comercial gain then you are goverened by the same regulations placed on the big boys.

Yes it stinks.

[ben1101]

Hi Griffo -

Sure does.

Im waiting to hear back from CASA I fired off an email to the CLARC department. Will see what happens next :D

[Tonystott]

Ben, the bad news is that there are three classes of UAV according to CASA regulations:-
Up to 100grams
between 100 gram and 99 kilograms
Over 100 kilograms

Freakin' ridiculous that a 1.2kg Trex 450 is considered in the same safety category as a 99kilogram monster.

Right there you can see how stupid the Australian regulations are. Every single requirement is totally justified for a 99kg monster UAV, and almost 100% are absurd for a 1.2kg Trex 450

[heath9069]

G'day guys,

I've been toying with the idea of using RC Helis for aerial photography, but after reading these posts I'm having second thoughts. Once again the Australian government makes things overly complicated and expensive for the average joe.

They really know how to stifle emerging industries with B.S. rules and regs that always have a hefty $$$ tag attached to them. Its no wonder that so many aussie ideas and innovations have gone overseas, when are they going to pull their heads out of their a-holes and make things a little less bureaucratic :mad: :arggg:

Now that I have vented my spleen, I wait with bated breath to hear what CASA has to tell ben1101, should be interesting.

[Tonystott]

Unfortunately I already know what they told me... typical cost for them to "walk me through the application process" at their quoted $140 per hour user-pays was about $3,500.

I couldn't see any way to justify that, so instead use a tethered balloon or kite plus an 8 or 12 metre mast.

[heath9069]

If you want to make money get a job at CASA and give people advice at $140/hr, what a scam. :mad:

[DarkHeli]

If it is over 3,500 (don't know aus exchange rate, sorry) I would just fly with no license. What can they do if they catch you? take your stuff away? If thats the case, and it costs less to take away the trex then to pay for absurd licenses and laws....It may be riskable?

[ben1101]

Hi Guys,

Still no word from CASA, Im going to hit them up again, I'll ring them tonight after work.

Ben

[Tonystott]

I double checked my old emails and discovered the original CASA estimate was actually $5-6000 (really!!), chargeable at a rate of $130 per hour. This was based on them flying 2 inspectors from Brisbane to Sydney to inspect my "operations base" (my car boot!). As they suggested I instead fly to Brisbane for the demonstration flight, I had ALREADY reduced the bill accordingly.

Totally ridiculous.

Darkheli, I seriously thought about doing that, which is clearly what all but about seven people in Australia are doing right now, but the problem arises if the "sh-t hits the fan" and the heli does any damage. It is at that point that CASA would arrive on the scene and wave their rule-book around, backed by the weight of law. I decided the risk was too great...