Drone No-Fly zones established around airports

The No-Fly zones vary depending on whether the aerodrome is controlled or uncontrolled. The dimensions of the approach and departure paths are reasonably complex, and a digital means of assessing the location of the operation and the No-Fly zones is favourable.

Relevant airspace and relevant events

Some new terms have been introduced with the Manual of standards

Operations within the No-Fly zone of a non-controlled aerodrome

Excluded and Recreational operations are restricted by CASA Directive 96/17.

Certified operators (RePL + ReOC) are permitted to fly within the No-Fly zones of a non-controlled aerodrome while there is not a relevant event (no piloted aircraft operating in the No-Fly zone). Remote Operators have documented procedures to define how these flights can be undertaken.

For operations that have not been planned to take place during a relevant event, if a piloted aircraft arrive into the no-fly zone the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) must be safely manoeuvred to land.

The Manual of Standards offers approval to operate during a relevant event in certain circumstances

	Operations can be conducted within the No-Fly zone of a non-controlled airport if they are conducted indoors. This can be in a building, other structure or underground where the aircraft is wholly contained and physically unable to escape the containment area. People moving into or out of the containment area must be controlled and if the aircraft collides with the containment area no material (aircraft or containment area) can escape and cause injury to those outside of the containment area.
	Tethered operations are where the aircraft is attached to a lead where the aircraft can’t escape. The tether is to be a maximum length of 150ft unless otherwise defined. Operations can be conducted within the No-Fly zone of a non-controlled aerodrome if the aircraft is tethered with the operator having documented procedures in their operational documentation. Tethered operations can not be conducted in the red area (CASA – black) of the aerodrome within 3nm while there is a relevant event. Operations are conducted Visual Line of Sight Tether and operations conducted at a maximum height of: 150ft orange (CASA – grey) area 150ft >3 nautical miles in red (CASA – black) area 150ft within 3nm of the movement area of the aerodrome At HLS Tether no longer than 150ft Operations outside of 465m of the central location of HLS
	Defined RPA’s can operate within the No-Fly zones. Defined RPA’s are: Micro RPA’s (<100g) CASR 101.075 can’t interfere with departure or approach RPA’s operating under an authorisation or exemption RPA’s operating under an Area Approval

Operations within the No-Fly zone of a controlled aerodrome

Excluded and Recreational operations are restricted by CASA Directive 96/17.

Certified operators (RePL + ReOC) require CASA approval to operate within the No-Fly zone of a controlled aerodrome. This limitation comes from the schedule attached to the Remote Operator Certificate.

CASA Approvals

CASA can issue permissions to operate within 3nm of a controlled aerodrome or the No-Fly zone of an aerodrome. CASA Form 101-09 provides a framework for the safety case being put forward for the approval. CASA permissions can take some time to be processed, and there is a fee based on the complexity of the task. It is recommended to get approvals into CASA in a timely fashion to avoid disappointment.

Aviassist provides a service to apply for approvals including airport no-fly zones.