Excluded RPA conditions for small RPAs on private land

In plain language

A small drone (2 to 25 kg) counts as an 'excluded RPA' if it is flown by or for its owner, over land the owner owns or occupies, in standard operating conditions, for spotting, photography, farming, communications relay, carrying cargo or similar work, and nobody is paid for it. You then do not need a remote pilot licence, but you do need a CASA accreditation (or a RePL).

Requirement as structured

A small RPA is classified as an excluded RPA if it is operated by or on behalf of the owner, over land owned or occupied by the owner, in standard RPA operating conditions, for specific non-commercial purposes without remuneration.

Original regulatory text

(4) A small RPA is an excluded RPA if it is being operated: (a) by or on behalf of the owner of the RPA; and (b) over land owned or occupied by the owner of the RPA; and (c) in standard RPA operating conditions; and (d) for the purposes of one or more of the following: (i) aerial spotting; (ii) aerial photography; (iii) agricultural operations; (iv) aerial communications retransmission; (v) the carriage of cargo; (vi) any other activity that is similar to an activity mentioned in the subparagraphs above; and for which no remuneration is received by the operator or the owner of the RPA, the owner or occupier of the land or any person on whose behalf the activity is being conducted.

Applies when

max mtom kg

25

min mtom kg

2