In general regulation is a means of eliminating or mitigating the risk of an undesirable outcome for example traffic regulations are intended to prevent death or injury from motor vehicles.
In a similar manner the CASA regulations are intended to prevent death or injury from aerial vehicles, either manned or unmanned.
All too frequently people ask why can't they fly their drone (I prefer the term quadcopter for the 4 motor versions of drone such as the Mavic Pro) over up to 90% of any given town or city.
If they were to read and understand the CASA regulations that apply to all model aircraft and recreational quadcopters you are not permitted to fly over populated areas. Most of city or town areas are defined as being populated.
The risks associated with flying model aircraft and quadcopters include:
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Without these many of the pilots are a risk to the general population or the recreational flying as in the event of a serious injury or in the wost case a fatality.
At present CASA consider that recreational quadcopters present very low risk to the general population as reflected in their relatively benign regulations. I would prefer that this situation remain.
For those who do own a Mavic Pro but would like to improve their piloting skills I would recommend buying a cheap quadcopter, such as the $50 one available from K Mart, as they fly quite well and pilots can develop their skill and knowledge at very little cost.
Ralph
In a similar manner the CASA regulations are intended to prevent death or injury from aerial vehicles, either manned or unmanned.
All too frequently people ask why can't they fly their drone (I prefer the term quadcopter for the 4 motor versions of drone such as the Mavic Pro) over up to 90% of any given town or city.
If they were to read and understand the CASA regulations that apply to all model aircraft and recreational quadcopters you are not permitted to fly over populated areas. Most of city or town areas are defined as being populated.
The risks associated with flying model aircraft and quadcopters include:
- For quadcopters the failure of any single motor or it's power regulator, etc. will cause a totally uncontrollable drop from the sky. Generally only copters with at least six motors are capable of a controlled descent with a single motor failure. At least airplanes can usually be controlled during descent in the event of a motor or engine failure.
- Maintenance is generally only carried out on quadcopters after a failure as there are maintenance or test procedures available.
- Pilot competence assessment is not required for recreational quadcopter pilots. If you want to drive on the road you are required by law to have your driving competence assessed by an examiner and to hold a drivers license. You can however purchase a quadcopter and immediately start flying with neither training or assessment.
.
Without these many of the pilots are a risk to the general population or the recreational flying as in the event of a serious injury or in the wost case a fatality.
At present CASA consider that recreational quadcopters present very low risk to the general population as reflected in their relatively benign regulations. I would prefer that this situation remain.
For those who do own a Mavic Pro but would like to improve their piloting skills I would recommend buying a cheap quadcopter, such as the $50 one available from K Mart, as they fly quite well and pilots can develop their skill and knowledge at very little cost.
Ralph