Approval required for autonomous aircraft launch or release

In plain language

You must not launch or release a fully autonomous drone (one you cannot take control of during any stage of flight) unless CASA has approved it and you follow the approval's conditions. Breaking this is a strict liability offence. Balloons, kites and model aircraft are not covered.

Requirement as structured

A person must not cause an autonomous aircraft (an unmanned aircraft that does not allow pilot intervention during all stages of its flight, other than a balloon, kite or model aircraft) to be launched or released (strict liability, 50 penalty units), unless the person holds an approval under regulation 101.029 to launch or release it and complies with any conditions imposed on the approval.

Original regulatory text

(1) This regulation: (a) applies to an unmanned aircraft (an autonomous aircraft) that does not allow pilot intervention during all stages of the flight of the aircraft; but (b) does not apply to balloons, kites or model aircraft. (2) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person causes an autonomous aircraft to be launched or released. Penalty: 50 penalty units. (3) Subregulation (2) does not apply if: (a) the person holds an approval under regulation 101.029 to launch or release the autonomous aircraft; and (b) the conditions (if any) imposed on the approval are complied with. Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subregulation (3): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

Applies when

operation

Autonomous