Flying Drones and Crane Permits
Flying drones/remotely piloted aircraft in or around Dubbo Regional Airport
As drones continue to soar in popularity, it is important users inform themselves on how and where they may operate a drone, whether they need to be licensed and the dangers of flying drones near an airport or airfield.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has developed rules and regulations strictly prohibiting unmanned aircraft being flown in a manner that creates a hazard to aircraft.
Australia’s safety laws for drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also know a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) as defined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, Part 101, vary depending on whether you are flying recreationally, for sport or for commercial purposes.
Detailed information surrounding CASA’s regulations for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) usage can be found at: https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/landing-page/flying-drones-australia
RECREATIONAL USE
Due to safety concerns the recreational / sport flying of drones, UAV or RPA is not permitted in or around Dubbo Regional Airport.
COMMERCIAL USE
There are certain situations, for commercial purposes only, where permission may be granted to operate a drone at or near Dubbo Regional Airport. When flying for money or any form of economic gain, you will need to be licensed and certified as an operator, or work for a certified operator.
Visit the CASA webpage for commercial drone operations first to check on what you need to know. https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/flying-drones-commercially
RPA use that is in breach of any regulation will be reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority CASA which can impose infringement notices of up to $8500 per offence.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Information surrounding CASA’s regulations for RPA usage can be found at: https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/landing-page/flying-drones-australia
Information surrounding AirServices RPA Policy can be found at: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/services/unmanned-aerial-systems-in-controlled-airspace/
Dubbo Regional Airport Management encourages the reporting of the illegal usage of RPAs at Dubbo and surrounds. This can be done through CASA at: https://www.casa.gov.au/webform/report-unsafe-drone-operations
Crane Permits - Approval to Carry out Controlled Activity
Under the Airports (Protection of Airspace) Regulations, any activity that infringes an airport's protected airspace is a Controlled Activity, which requires approval before being completed.
Please email a completed Dubbo Regional Airport Crane Permit Application (PDF 561.9KB) for approval to carry out a Controlled Activity to airport@dubbo.nsw.gov.au.
Assessments will take a minimum of 3 working days however due to the complexity of some assessments and other aerodrome agencies that may need to be involved, advance notice of 4 weeks or more may be required.
To prevent any delay in processing please ensure that the application is completed in full with all appropriate attachments.