The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced that it is now qualified to operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems as part of its investigations.
Specifically, ATSB has secured a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The Certificate means the agency now has the necessary approvals to gather data and evidence during its on-site investigations using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), up to seven kilograms.
The Certificate was presented to ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood and Transport Safety Investigation Manager Derek Hoffmeister, on Friday 21 July, by CASA acting Chief Executive Officer / Director of Aviation Safety Graeme Crawford.
Mr Hoffmeister has also been granted Chief Remote Pilot status by CASA, after passing the required flying test and interview. The Chief Pilot is one of several transport safety investigators now qualified to fly the DJI Phantom 4, which has been assessed as most suitable for the ATSB’s RPAS operations. The investigators have received a thorough grounding in theory and practical training.
“Investigators are now able to undertake an initial site survey to check for safety hazards before entering the site, and we can perform site mapping more quickly and with more accurate measurements. Also, comprehensive photos of an entire accident site can help investigations enormously. We can capture that imagery ourselves using RPAS – imagery that could previously only be obtained with a helicopter”, Mr Hoffmeister explained.
People who are flying RPAS commercially should follow the lead of the ATSB and gain their Remote Pilot Operator’s Certificate, regardless of the size of the RPAS they’re using.
“The use of RPAS compared to traditional site survey techniques, equipment and software also presents a substantial cost saving and ease-of-use benefits to the ATSB”, said Chief Commissioner Greg Hood.
In addition to building its RPAS capability, the ATSB is also conducting research and data analysis into this emerging technology to assess the safety risk to aircraft. There have been a number of ‘encounters” between RPAS and fixed and rotary winged aircraft, which is a focus of the ATSB.
“Around the world, RPAS can be procured at many retail outlets, including supermarkets and post offices; and are utilised for both pleasure and work-related purposes,” Mr Hood said. “I urge those who have procured an RPAS or are interested in doing so to educate themselves on the CASA regulations.”
“People who are flying RPAS commercially should follow the lead of the ATSB and gain their Remote Pilot Operator’s Certificate, regardless of the size of the RPAS they’re using. This will afford them the flexibility and preparedness to fly any kind of drone or deal with any changes to rules or regulations.”
