Drone laws South Australia (How to Register and What are the Rules)

This post is for anyone who is interested drone laws South Australia. The legislation regarding drones has changed significantly over the past few years, and it’s important to know what the rules are before you fly.

drone Laws South Australia

pilot’s Licence And Drone Registration

To fly a drone, you need to have a Remote Pilot’s License. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for issuing these licenses and they offer free training courses around Australia.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of getting your own licence, many drone operators already have them in place at their business premises so you can just hire one from them if you don’t feel confident about getting your own licence just yet!

safety And Privacy

You must always be mindful of the safety, privacy and property of others.

• Never fly your drone, or any other unmanned aircraft in South Australia over public roads, including public road bridges and overpasses, or within 30 metres (98 feet) of any person.
• Never fly your drone, or any other unmanned aircraft in South Australia over a built-up area (including suburbs) where people are likely to be present unless you have obtained permission from CASA for that operation (for example for a filming operation).
• Always ensure that your UAV does not pose a hazard to anyone on the ground below it and keep yourself informed about local conditions such as wind direction at all times whilst flying.

maximum Flight Altitude In South Australia

In South Australia, the maximum altitude for recreational use is 120 feet (or about 39 metres). For commercial use, it’s 120 feet. And for hobby use, it’s also 120 feet.

where You Can’t Fly A Drone In South Australia

It is illegal to fly a drone:

• Within 30m of a person or vehicle
• Within 5.5km of an airport
• Within 4km of a licensed aerodrome (airfield)
• Within 4km of a public safety or emergency service

when You Can And Can’t Fly Your Drone In South Australia

You must not operate your drone within 5.5km of an airport or airfield, except where authorised by the airport or airfield operator. You must not operate your drone within 4km of a helipad, except where authorised by the helipad owner or operator.

You must not operate your drone within 4km of a manned aircraft and you should maintain a visual line-of-sight at all times with the vehicle and its immediate surroundings, particularly other aircraft and people on the ground.

drones Are Becoming Popular

It’s no secret that drones are becoming increasingly popular as the years go on. With recreational use on the rise, commercial uses like surveying and building mapping gaining popularity, and research continuing to advance, it’s safe to say that drone technology is here to stay.

how To Register Drone In South Australia

The South Australia Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 2016 (CASR) sets out regulations for the operation of drones. While some jurisdictions don’t require you to register your drone, CASR stipulates that all drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered with CASR.

You’re also required to have a Remote Pilots License before operating a drone in South Australia. The steps below will help you register your drone so it can be flown safely in the state:

step 1: Make Sure Your Drone Weighs Less Than 100 Kilograms

In order to register your drone in South Australia, the total weight of your drone must be less than 100 kilograms. If the total weight of your drone is over 100 kilograms, you will need to apply for a flight authority from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

step 2: Register Your Drone

The next step is to fill out the online form on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority website.

To do so, you will need to go to CASA’s Register My Drone page and click on the “Register with CASA” button.

This will prompt you to provide your email address and mobile phone number, as well as some basic information about yourself, including your name, date of birth and address. You should also provide a copy of your drone’s registration document if you have one (see below).

step 3: Complete A Remote Pilots Licence Theory Exam

You do not need to complete the Remote Pilots Licence theory exam if you hold an RPL or RPAL and have held it for at least 12 months. If you have not met these requirements, then you will need to complete the Remote Pilots Licence theory examination before being able to apply for your remote pilots licence.

The online test lasts 90 minutes and includes 20 questions that are randomly selected each time you take it. You must score 80% or higher within three attempts in order to pass and receive your remote pilots licence confirmation email.

are Drones Allowed In South Australia

Flying a drone in South Australia is fun, and it’s also relatively easy to do. You just have to make sure you follow the rules, which we’ve outlined below.

where Can I Fly A Drone In South Australia?

Drones can be flown in South Australia provided the pilot complies with CASA’s regulations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has a detailed list of rules and restrictions on its website that you should refer to before flying your drone anywhere in South Australia.

how High Can I Fly A Drone In South Australia?

You don’t need a licence to fly your drone in South Australia. However, there are some restrictions that you must follow:

• You must be able to see your drone at all times. If this is not possible, you should not fly it.
• You must not fly a drone over or near an area where people are gathered (for example, sporting events), unless you get permission from the relevant body responsible for controlling drones flying in that area (such as CASA).

are There Rules And Regulations I Have To Follow When Flying A Drone In South Australia?

You must be able to see the drone at all times, have it in your line of sight. You can only fly one drone at a time and you must not fly over populous areas or groups of people. This includes beaches and sporting events.

You also need to avoid flying within 30m of people, vehicles, buildings and structures that are not under your control (eg buildings with antennas).

If you want to fly near an airport or military base, contact the relevant aeronautical authority for permission first as there may be restrictions in place for safety reasons.

do I Need Permission To Fly A Drone In South Australia?

You don’t need permission to fly a drone in most public places, including parks, beaches and roads. You do need permission to fly your drone over private land or airspace.

To find out how you can get permission to fly your drone in a specific area, use the Geo Manager toolkit to search for “drone” as a keyword and then choose the location where you want to fly from the drop-down list of locations on the map.

Frequently Asked Question (drone Laws South Australia)

What Are The Current Drone Laws In South Australia?

The Drone Laws in South Australia are actually quite simple and straightforward. You must be 18 years or older to fly a drone, and you are not allowed to fly within 5.5km of an airport or 3.5km of a helipad.

In addition to these laws, there are several other restrictions that you should know about before buying your first drone:

• Do not fly over populous areas (ie cities)
• Do not fly at night

Is There A List Of Prohibited Places To Fly Drones In South Australia?

As a general rule, you are prohibited from flying a drone within 5.5km of an airport and within 4km of a heliport, prison or police station. You may also be prohibited from flying within 4km of a hospital or school if they have not given permission for you to do so.

When Is A Drone Considered Commercial Or Non-commercial?

You will need to have a Remote Pilot License if you are operating a drone for commercial purposes. If you are using your drone for non-commercial purposes, such as taking photos or videos of yourself and your friends, then you will need to hold a Recreational Drone License. Commercial operators must also hold third party liability insurance.

What Type Of Information Do I Need To Provide With My Application?

You will also need to provide some basic information about your business and yourself, including:

• Your business name
• The physical address of your business premises where the operation of the drone will take place
• Contact details for the person responsible for operating the drone and any other person that may be involved in managing or operating it. This can be changed later if necessary by contacting us with updated details.

conclusion

Well, there you have it. We hope you found this guide useful, and if so, feel free to share it with others who may need some extra guidance on how to fly drones legally in South Australia.