Do you use a drone for work or recreation?

In Australia, there are approximately 700 registered commercial RPA operators in the market representing industries such as property, tourism, insurance, mining, engineering, marketing, entertainment and sports.

And in recognition of their growing popularity, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority  (CASA) has relaxed some of its rules around very small (under 2kg) Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) or drones.

From September 29, drones under 2kg in weight no longer require operators to hold a Remote Operators Certificate. CASA recognised the requirement was creating a barrier for uptake of the technology. The new changes will also reduce the cost and legal requirements associated with use of certain drones.

With the changes however, there are new restrictions surrounding the operation of very small drones, such as not flying above 120m. To read the full list of restrictions, visit this page of the CASA website.

Whether you use a drone for work or recreation, it’s important to consider what insurance coverage is appropriate for you. Protection of your asset and third party liability shouldn’t be overlooked.

If you have any questions and would like to discuss your risks as an operator, phone MGIB.