CASA to require licenses for all drone operators from July

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will introduce flyer’s licenses and mandatory registration for all drone operators in July.

The ABC reports that costs are expected to be roughly $20 per hobbyist and $100 – $160 for operators of commercial drones for anybody wanting to fly anything weighing over 250 grams. Currently, all commercial operators must be licensed for.drones weighing over 2 kilograms, but an “excluded” category is available for those operating under that weight and within certain conditions.

Under the rule changes, all pilots of drones over 250 grams must register and pass an online course, with a database giving authorities a clearer idea of how many drones are out there and who is operating them.

“It will certainly give us big advantages in terms of complaints or reports of drones being flown improperly or against the safety rules,” CASA’s Peter Gibson told the ABC.

The report notes that this comes ahead of a launch of a drone food delivery service in Canberra by Alphabet (Google’s parent company). The “Project Wing” trial in Bonython, outer Canberra, concluded this month, and the company plans to operate a world-first commercial delivery service shortly. The trial led to complaints from some residents about noise.

According to Wing’s website, it plans to operate out of Mitchell, “in the coming months, and… service the neighborhoods of Franklin, Harrison, Gunghalin, Crace and Palmerston.”

Picture: dronelife.com