Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia have announced the extension of the Automated Airspace Authorisations Trial (AAAT) to November 2026 and new locations for the programme.
The scheme allows eligible drone operators to fly in restricted areas and within 5.5 km (3 nm) of selected controlled airports, receiving almost instantaneous approvals for flights via selected drone apps.
Trials are being extended for remotely piloted aircraft operator’s certificate (ReOC) holders to airspace areas adjacent to Adelaide Airport (YPAD), Canberra Airport (YSCB), Perth Airport (YPPH), Sydney Airport (YSSY), Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B).
“Participation in the trial is free,” says CASA on its website. “The authorisations are also free, and there is no limit on the number of authorisations granted. We will automatically approve applications that meet the criteria, saving you time and money.”
To take part in the trial, drone operators will have to sign-up using one of the participating CASA-verified drone safety apps: AVCRM RPA Manager by AVCRM; FlyFreely Drone Management Platform by FlyFreely; Fly.Ylobe by Yarra Drones; ok2fly by AvSoft; OpenSky by Wing Aviation.
CASA-verified drone safety app providers may set additional conditions to join the trial.
According to CASA the flight must meet these criteria:
- within 5.5 km (3 nm) of Adelaide (YPAD), Canberra (YSCB), Perth (YPPH) and Sydney (YSSY) airports, or within Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas (R405 A/B)
- use a registered drone with a maximum take-off weight of less than 25 kg
- conduct the flights during daylight hours only
- limit the flight duration to one calendar day
- submit the request no more than 30 days in advance.
The remote pilot must also hold a valid:
- remote pilot licence (RePL)
- aviation radio qualification (such as an aeronautical radio operator certificate).
For more information
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/flight-authorisations/automated-airspace-authorisations#Therequirements
(Image: CASA)
