Drones (remote piloted aircraft)

Overview

Drones are used by and at UTS for a range of different purposes, such as for research activities, teaching activities or marketing activities.

If you are planning on purchasing or have purchased a drone for UTS activities you must notify UTS Insurance immediately (insurance@uts.edu.au)and update the UTS Drone Register.

 

UTS does not have aRemote Operators Certificate (ReOC) and any activity that requires one must not be carried out by UTS staff or students. A third party operator with a ReOC must be engaged for such activities.

All drone operations are regulated by Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), Part 101 Unmanned aircraft and rockets.  All drone operators must ensure that relevant CASA requirements are being followed.  The requirements vary depending on what the drone is used for, the weight of the drone and the location of operation. Use of a drone for UTS activities could be considered commercial activity by CASA, see the table below for more information. 

As with all potentially hazardous equipment it’s vital that we keep people, property and the environment around us safe, so it's essential we identify hazards and implement control measures to manage the risks associated with the use of drones.  

In summary all drone users must:

Drone registration and training requirements summary:

Weight of drone (including attachments)

Use of drone

 

CASA Drone Classification

Drone registration with CASA required?

CASA Training / Licence required?

Conditions

Up to 7kg

Research or Teaching by UTS staff/students 

Model aircraft

No

(registration due July 2023, paused)

Flight experience

(Recreational Accreditation due July 2023, paused)

Drone Safety Rules &

Schools near an airport conditions

For drones over 7kg used for research or teaching by UTS staff/students, refer to the relevant section of the table below

<250g

Commercial 

Micro RPA

Yes

RPA Operator Accreditation

Standard Operating Conditions

250g – 2kg

Commercial

Very small RPA

Yes

RPA Operator Accreditation

Standard Operating Conditions

2kg – 25kg 

Commercial 

Small RPA

Yes

RePL and ReOC

Special conditions

2kg – 25kg

Over UTS land

Small RPA

Yes

RPA Operator Accreditation

Special conditions

25 – 150kg

Over UTS land

Medium RPA

Yes

RePL

Special conditions

25 – 150kg

Commercial 

Medium RPA

Yes

RePL and ReOC

Special conditions

Drones for education or research purposes

Flying a drone for the educational or research purposes of a recognised educational institution is considered recreational / model aircraft use, so long as the gross weight of the drone is not more than 7kg. Any other use, such as to promote the university (marketing), drone operations carried out by another entity, if money is exchanged or if the drone is over 7kg then standard commercial requirements apply. 

When flying a drone for educational or research purposes you must follow the drone safety rules (also referred to as Standard Operating Conditions, prescribed in Part 101.238 of the CASR) these include:

  • Do not fly higher than 120m above ground level
  • Keep the drone at least 30m away from other people not directly involved
  • Only fly one drone at a time
  • Keep the drone within visual line-of-sight (only during the day and not through cloud or fog)
  • Do not fly over or above people or in a populous area
  • If the drone is >250grams you must fly at least 5.5km away from a controlled airport (unless the drone is indoors and cannot get out of the building)
  • Respect personal privacy, don’t record or photograph people without their consent

If the activity cannot be performed within the drone safety rules, then additional requirements will need to be followed (depending on the activity), such as Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC), apply for specialist flight authorisations from CASA. 

Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC)

If the activity requires a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL), then this must be operated under the business Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC).  UTS does not currently have a ReOC, therefore any activities that require a RePL or ReOC must not be carried out by UTS staff or students. If such activities are required an external party which has a RePL and ReOC must be engaged to fly the drone. To contact or hire a ReOC holder, search the CASA directory of certified operators. Ensure that UTS requirements regarding engaging contractors are also followed.

Risk assessment

Prior to any drone activity, identify any hazards and assess the risk posed by the drone activity.  Then ensure that suitable controls are put in place to manage any identified risks and ensure that these controls are monitored. Follow the UTSrisk management guidance.

 Consider the following as a minimum:

  • The types of activity that is being undertaken and ensure that the relevant CASA rules are being complied with 
  • The location of the activity and any approvals or local laws that must be followed.
  • Download a CASA-verified drone safety app to check where the drone can and can't by flown.
  • The experience and training of the people involved in the activity.
  • Impacts on people and how they will be protected.
  • Impacts on wildlife and the environment and how they will be protected.
  • How to respond to emergency situations (for example battery fire, personal injury).

Flying over UTS land

In addition to following all CASA requirements, permission must be sought from UTS Security if flying a drone outdoors over UTS-controlled land (for example on Alumni green) or any commercial drone flights for filming and photography. Refer to the UTS Campus Policy for more details. 

Insurance

UTS Insurance shall cover our legal liability to pay damages in respect of accidental bodily injury and accidental damage to property caused by the drone provided the drone weighs less than 7kg (including payload) and the drone is operated within the CASA standard operating procedures.

UTS Insurance shall not cover legal liability if the drone in operation is above 7kg (including payload). 

All drones must be recorded in the UTS Drone Register.  

Contact insurance@uts.edu.au for more details.

Resources

 Further Information

 Please contact drones@uts.edu.au for further information and advice about drone operations.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.