Currently, large RPA need either a restricted or experimental certificate of airworthiness. These pathways do not suit every large RPA or operation. Experimental certificates mainly support research, development and testing. They do not provide an ongoing pathway for most commercial operations. Restricted certificates only cover certain operations. The aircraft must also have restricted-category type certification.
What’s changing?
The new rules will:
- allow any applicable kind of certificate of airworthiness, subject to meeting the relevant airworthiness standards and appropriate operating conditions
- allow relevant large RPA to operate without a certificate of airworthiness, subject to certain restrictions.
The changes will provide more practical pathways for commercial operations using large RPA while maintaining an acceptable level of safety.
What’s next?
Before 29 September, we will amend the Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOS).
Planned updates to the MOS will set:
- the conditions for operating a large RPA with a certificate of airworthiness
- the requirements operators must meet when operating a large RPA without a certificate of airworthiness.
For operations without a certificate of airworthiness, the planned amendments will continue to require operators to carry out a risk assessment and hold the necessary CASA approvals.
Operators will need to show that:
- the aircraft’s design and construction suit the proposed operation
- the operation will not adversely affect other airspace users or people on the ground or water.
CASA approval is still required for the operation of a large RPA, regardless of whether the RPA has a certificate of airworthiness. Operators must also continue to hold a remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC).
Licensing, maintenance, continuing airworthiness and other operational rules, such as RPA registration, will continue to apply. While we will have the ability to approve large RPA commercial operations without a certificate of airworthiness, we are continuing to work through other operational requirements.
