Australians are no strangers to new technology. As a nation of early adopters, we have insatiable appetites for tablets & smartphones. We’re big downloaders of smartphone apps, heavy internet users, and social networkers.
Drone technology is no different. Their growth in popularity, and changes to commercial operator regulations, due in September 2016, means big opportunities for forward thinkers. Businesses, looking to expand, develop or integrate drone tech on the horizon.
Drones are lifting off
Australia is considered a world leader in drone operations in non-segregated airspace. In May 2013, there were 33 CASA approved commercial drone licenses. In a little under three years, we have seen a 15 times increase, with 500 unmanned operators licenses issued.
CASA predicts this will grow further and will issue over 600 commercial licenses by July 2016.
Big players, like Dominos Pizza and Australia Post, have also been busy, developing delivery drones to use as part of their distribution services. And insurer IAG is using drones to speed up the assessment process for bushfire claims.
New regulations for commercial drone operators
From September 29th, 2016, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will introduce new regulations for lower risk drones or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).
The authority proposes that lightweight drones weighing under 2kg can be flown by commercial operators. Without the need for a UAV operators certificate (UOC) or a remote pilot license (RePL). Commercial operators will need to provide notification to CASA at least five days before the first commercial flight and operate by the standard operating conditions.
This change will significantly open up the commercial use of the smaller lower-risk drones in terms of lowering costs, reducing legal requirements and increasing speed to market.
It will also allow private landowners to carry out commercial-like operations on their own land with a small RPA, without requiring a UOC or a RePL. Provided they follow the standard operating conditions, and do not receive remuneration.
CASA, together with the industry, will also develop a new manual of standards. It will deal with more complex operational issues and aim to increase its flexibility and responsiveness in this rapidly evolving industry.
Why the change?
The Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS), an industry advocacy group, held its conference “RPAS in Australian Skies” in March 2016. High-level international and local representatives attended, from Australian industry, government, and academia.
Mr Mark Skidmore, Director of Aviation Safety at CASA, during his keynote speech, said: “that CASA’s absolute number one priority is safety”. He is, however, dedicated to supporting rather than restricting unmanned aerial technologies.
The industry identified the regulations are needed to keep in line with increasingly capable technology and changing needs of the sector. They also recognised that the processing of an ever-increasing number of regulatory applications was not sustainable.
What does this mean for drone businesses in Australia?
With favourable new regulations and new technological developments in intelligent RPAs, there is no doubt that economic growth in this industry will increase.
New opportunities for drone use in business will be created, and businesses will rethink how they complete certain business processes. Leading to more cost-effective and time-saving methods.
A study undertaken in the US calculates that 100,000 jobs will be created by the US drone industry by 2025. Now, imagine the opportunities for the Australian drone industry when these new regulations come into play!
If you would like to explore the opportunities of doing business in Australia, we can help.
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