[The Gatwick kerfuffle has finally convinced regulators that they need
to be seen to be doing something.
[I wrote in 2014-16:
http://rogerclarke.com/SOS/Drones-PAR.html#RDR
>Rather than establishing a convenient online registration mechanism
with virtually no beneficial effect, XXXX could have instead imposed
onerous conditions, thereby creating a strong incentive for drone
operators to join a club and bring themselves within an environment that
makes information available, and brings with it both a sense of
responsibility and insurance coverage. ...
[XXXX was the (US)FAA, but the same can now be said for CASA.
[The requirement for "owners to complete an online course to learn the
rules of drone safety" is okay, but it will be interesting to see how
they make it stick. (My proposition was that they should hook into
existing infrastructure, and stimulate or commission clubs to run the
courses).
[The claim is made that:
>Communication can now be sent to drone owners regarding important
safety issues, such as reminders to not operate a drone above a bushfire.
[That depends on whether the registration process includes a relevant
contact-point, and maintenance processes for changes to contact-points.]
Drone crackdown coming in 2019
More surveillance and registration for recreational drone owners.
Edward Pollitt
Jan 08 2019 11:33 AM
https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2019/drone-crackdown-coming-in-2019.html
Australian drone owners can expect stricter rules and regulations in
2019, as the civil aviation authority begins a nationwide crackdown.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has revealed it is bolstering
surveillance capabilities, while also implementing a new registration
and accreditation scheme for recreational drones weighing over 250g.
CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson explained the changes will help the
government to keep the skies safe.
“It will not only help us keep the drone sector safe, but we will do it
in a way that offers benefits to people who have drones through
supplying ongoing safety support information to them,” he told
Information Age.
It comes after Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom was closed down in
December, following drone sightings near the runway.
The incident resulted in hundreds of flights being cancelled and is
believed to have cost the airport and airlines upwards of £20 million
($AU35.78 million).
All current recreational drone owners and those purchasing a new drone
will have to register their device.
The online registration will involve a “nominal fee” and will require
owners to complete an online course to learn the rules of drone safety.
The fines for failing to register a recreational drone are still being
determined.
Surveillance updates
The changes will also see CASA update the surveillance technology used
to monitor drones.
Gibson explained this initiative is mainly “to get a handle on how many
people are flying drones around”.
The portable surveillance equipment will firstly assess drone activity
around major Australian airports, before then checking popular drone
hotspots, such as Sydney Harbour.
“The technology allows you to identify where the controller is, so you
can see the drone in the air and the controller on the ground,” Gibson said.
“We would be able to identify the people doing the wrong thing.”
Is this a crackdown?
While Gibson described the changes as a “drone safety crackdown”, the
changes are also designed to help CASA communicate with drone owners
more effectively, he explained.
“It gives us a way of directly communicating with people, so we’ll be
able to offer ongoing support and information in terms of safely
operating drones,” he said.
Communication can now be sent to drone owners regarding important safety
issues, such as reminders to not operate a drone above a bushfire.
--
Roger Clarke mailto:[email protected]
T: +61 2 6288 6916 http://www.xamax.com.au http://www.rogerclarke.com
Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA
Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law University of N.S.W.
Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University
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