Drone activity around Cairns Airport

July 1, 2022

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), in partnership with Airservices Australia, Cairns Airport and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), have detected an increased number of drones being operated in controlled airspace near Cairns Airport.

To ensure the safety of those on the ground and in the sky, CASA has developed rules and regulations prohibiting drones weighing more than 250g from being flown within 5.5 km of a controlled airport without an exemption.

All drones, regardless of how much they weigh are also prohibited from flying over or in the departure or approach path – the airspace where traditional aircraft take off and land – of a controlled airport.

AFP Protection Operations Response Team, Sergeant Benjamin MacKlin says as we near the school holidays both locals and visitors need to be aware of the drone safety rules.

‘The July school holidays is our peak tourist season and operating drones in controlled airspace puts the safety of both Cairns locals and visitors at risk,’ he says.

As part of an ongoing national drone safety education campaign, CASA is raising awareness and understanding of safe flying around Cairns by working with the local council and Cairns Airport.

CASA Manager Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Operations, Scott Duffy says in Cairns, the no-fly zone includes many popular destinations including the Esplanade and central business district.

‘As drones continue to soar in popularity, it is important users inform themselves on where they can and can’t operate their drone, if they need to be licensed and the dangers of flying drones near airports.’

‘We’d like to encourage users to find out where they can safely fly by using one of the CASA-verified drone safety apps available now through the Know Your Drone website,’ says Mr Duffy.

CASA-verified drone safety apps and web applications give location-based information with easy-to-use maps about where you can and can’t fly your drone according to CASA’s drone safety rules.

‘Drone operators are also encouraged to test their knowledge of the drone safety rules by visiting our Know Your Drone website and taking the quiz.’

For more information about drone safety, visit knowyourdrone.gov.au.Date: 29 June 2022

Media contact

CASA MediaMobile: 0419 296 446Email: media@casa.gov.auReference number: MR4822

CASA Briefing – February 2022

February 16, 2022

Article supplied by CASA.

We’ve all come to expect the unexpected from COVID-19 and the start to 2022 has been no exception.

Once more our resilience is being tested but as indications emerge that the latest wave of Omicron infections may be peaking, at CASA we are focusing on our plans to work with industry on a safe recovery.

It was so good to see so many of you engaging with our flexible approach to transitioning to the flight operations regulations when we hit our critical 2 December milestone.

We also invited you to get ahead of the international curve with our new digital licences and to try out our refreshed website.

The website has improved search and navigation functionality from both mobile devices and desktops, and we have listened to your feedback.

We remain committed to helping you recover from the ravages of the coronavirus epidemic with plans to remove regulatory bottlenecks and assist the general aviation sector to operate efficiently and safely.

This aligns with commitments made by the federal government in its Aviation Recovery Framework which, according to the reports I have read, has been generally well-received by industry

Engineers’ scholarships now open

We’re offering three annual $5000 scholarships to help up-and-coming engineers achieve their Part 66 licence.

The scholarships will be open to people who have worked for a minimum of 2 years in aviation and have started structured training towards a maintenance licence, or who are doing on-the-job training.

Fit to work after COVID-19?

Pilots, air traffic controllers and other members of the aviation community can find new guidance on our website to help them determine their fitness to return to work after a bout of COVID-19

A self-assessment checklist steps them through a series of questions about their COVID-19 experience and recovery.

Pilots, air traffic controllers and other members of the aviation community can find new guidance on our website to help them determine their fitness to return to work after a bout of COVID-19

A self-assessment checklist steps them through a series of questions about their COVID-19 experience and recovery.

AWB highlights R22/244 governor control issues

An Airworthiness Bulletin (AWB) has been released about governor control anomalies in Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters.

The bulletin applies to aircraft with an Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) and is in response to several cases of the governor failing to control revolutions per minute under normal conditions.

CASA Wings Awards

We’re proud to sponsor the Australian Flying magazine’s CASA Wings Awards, which recognise the efforts of the many people who have dedicated their lives to general aviation through individual effort or as part of an aero club or flying school.

We wish to congratulate WardAir and Bathurst Aero Club – both based in the NSW Central Tablelands town – which were recognised as Flying training organisation of the year and Aero Club of the Year respectively.

Navigating New Rules

Can’t locate that Civil Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) you always refer to? Don’t know where to find the form to apply for something? It may no longer exist.

When the new flight operations rules began on 2 December, the guidance material and forms also needed to change.

Get your pilot guides to understand our rules

Our guides to help pilots and operators understand the rules of the air are now updated and refreshed.

A fully reviewed and revised Visual Flight Rules Guide (VFRG) and an updated Part 91 Plain English Guide (Part 91 PEG) are now available to download.

Drama in the skies: listen to our Close Calls podcast

What caused a worrying change in engine sound over the highlands of Papua New Guinea? How did the crew of a Citation II corporate jet react to a catastrophic engine failure?

The answers to these questions and more lie in our gripping Close Calls podcast series.

Check out our new website

Our new look website is now up and running. The new site is mobile friendly on all devices and designed to make it easier for you to find the information you’re looking for, know and follow the rules, apply for a licence, permission or authorisation, and use our online services.

We’ve worked closely with people across our aviation community throughout all stages of development.

Have your say on proposed drone regs amendments

The drone industry is rapidly expanding. To keep pace with growth and demand in the sector, laws governing drones must be regularly reviewed to provide effective and efficient safety regulations for all airspace users and the community.

We are consulting on proposed amendments to drone rules that will benefit industry and operators.

Advanced air mobility set to take off

Advanced air mobility is a step closer to reality after we signed a memorandum of understanding in December, in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Airservices Australia, and the state of Victoria.

Advanced air mobility refers to emerging aviation technologies, such as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, to move people and cargo.

Find out how we will support growth and innovation in the advanced air mobility sector.

READ FULL CASA BRIEFING ARTICLE

Fatigue Management

October 21, 2021October 21, 2021

Article supplied by CASA

Latest updates

CAO 48.1 will remain in force after the 2 December 2021 introduction of the flying operations CASRs (Parts 119, 121, 133, 135). Once transitioned to CAO 48.1 by 1 July 2021 operators will not be required to make a further amendment the fatigue sections of their operations manuals to comply with the new CASRs.
CASR 91.520 establishes obligations on all flight crew to be fit for duty including with respect to fatigue.

CASA’s Plain English Guide for fatigue management has been developed to make it easy for operators to understand the regulation, requirements and their obligations. This guide provides regulatory information in a simple, easy-to-read and understandable language.

Fatigue risk management involves operators and pilots taking steps to manage increasing levels of fatigue so that it does not result in a safety risk.

On this page

New fatigue rules

Most operators need to comply with new fatigue rules from 1 July 2021. There are three routes for transition:

Resources are available to assist operators transition to the new fatigue rules, including our Plain English Guide for fatigue management and our Fatigue transition policy (PDF 350.91 KB) that provides information for operators on how to meet transition timeframes and comply with the new rules.

Fatigue panel

To support industry with the implementation of the new fatigue rules, CASA has established a fatigue panel. The panel is made up of regulatory services staff experienced in fatigue policy and operationalising regulatory requirements and human performance specialists, providing a high level of advice relating to regulatory services and surveillance standards for CAO 48.1 Instrument 2019.

The fatigue panel is responsible for supporting efficient and consistent decision-making under the new fatigue rules. Ensuring consistency in regulatory services and surveillance activities, the panel provides specialist technical advice, assesses and evaluates:

transition plans for operators transitioning to the prescriptive rules (Appendices 1 to 6)
applications for minor variations to the prescriptive rules (Appendices 2 to 6)
fatigue risk management systems (FRMS) applications (Appendix 7).

Fatigue enquiries

CASA has changed how it manages enquiries and correspondence relating to the fatigue rules.

Please choose one of the options below that is relevant to your enquiry:

If you are seeking regulatory clarification, guidance, advice or support regarding the fatigue regulations submit an enquiry using the Regulatory guidance enquiry webform
If you are wanting to make an application to CASA or submit documents to support an existing application email regservices@casa.gov.au
If neither of the criteria above applies to you, or you are uncertain of how to proceed, submit an enquiry using the Regulatory guidance enquiry webform.