Australia, Retirement of CASA app and foreshadowing of new regs

[Pietros]

Hi Flyers,

Here is the text of an email from CASA:


"UNCLASSIFIED

‘Can I fly there?’ drone safety app retirement and a new way to take your drone to the next level

We’re changing the way we provide you with information about where you can legally operate your drone in Australia. This will see the retirement of our ‘Can I fly there?’ drone safety app in the coming weeks.

We understand that drone flyers need clear and consistent information about where they can operate their drone, and to allow app developers to innovate to keep pace with technological change. So, we’re replacing the ‘Can I fly there?’ app with a new digital platform. App developers can apply to connect to the platform which helps facilitate access to standardised safety information.

To connect to the platform, app developers will need to go through a robust approval and onboarding process that enables CASA to ensure the proposed app delivers accurate information and meets minimum technical requirements. We will regularly update the list of the apps approved to use our platform on our website at www.casa.gov.au/droneapp. The digital platform is being built now, and will be available to app developers in the coming months.

Requirements for apps that connect to the platform include showing airspace and emergency data as well as information on powerlines and national parks. It will also help developers integrate with CASA’s future proposed drone registration system, allow licenced operators to submit flight authorisation requests, automate approvals to operate within 3 NM of a controlled aerodrome (where safe to do so), and will provide the building blocks for a future RPA traffic management system.

The development of the platform is another first step in helping us to integrate drones into Australian airspace safely and efficiently.

You can continue to use the Can I fly there? app in the interim. It will then be removed from the app store after a transition period.

Regards,

Can I Fly There? team"

Some interesting stuff, including approvals to operate within 3NM of a controlled aerodrome. The existing app has some issues. I'm currently sitting 4nm from an uncontrolled airport (Devonport TAS) and the Can I Fly There app shows a complete 24/7 ban on flying as I'm under the approach and departure corridor even though according to the app I can take off in the airport Carpark if there are no aircraft movements. This doesn't seem to correlate to CASAs drone rules that don't make that distinction. If I didn't have the app I would assume I'm ok to operate here.

Cheers

Peter

 

[Phill]

Got the same one yesterday.
It's a bit ambiguous saying that they're going to retire the app then asking for people to develop the new one.
You would assume they'd have the new one ready before announcing retirement of the old one.

 

[Pietros]

Perhaps they are hoping Drone Assist or AirMap will pick up the load, but there is that bit about authorisation and I'm not sure if there is an app setup for that yet. If someone has to develop a UAS app specific to Oz with that ambitious feature list detailed above its unlikely to be free (or cheap).

I forgot to post the email title:

"Coming soon: A new way to take your drone to the next level"

Yeah right!

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Well they are opening up flying closer to airports within current exclusions, when safe to do so.
It sounds like this would be like the US LAANC system where you can get almost immediate approval via the app.

The part about the app development is a bit strange, it wasn't really explained well in the email or website info.
They do mention the CIFT app will be run until the new system is up and running, with some overlap.

I posted this in the Australia forum section yesterday, and another Aussie flyer in the News forum.

 

[Phill]

Perhaps they are hoping Drone Assist or AirMap will pick up the load, but there is that bit about authorisation and I'm not sure if there is an app setup for that yet. If someone has to develop a UAS app specific to Oz with that ambitious feature list detailed above its unlikely to be free (or cheap).

I forgot to post the email title:

"Coming soon: A new way to take your drone to the next level"

Yeah right!

It should be free as it's public safety info.
If it's not free I doubt few will use it.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

It should be free as it's public safety info.
If it's not free I doubt few will use it.

CASA would no doubt be footing the bill, using a bunch of our $20 hobbyist fees.

 

[MavicFT1P]

 

[Johnpol]

Where is the Australian section?
Can’t find it anywhere
Thanks

 

[Thomas B]

Where is the Australian section?
Can’t find it anywhere
Thanks

Not one.... best to search by country or name of law.

 

[Phill]

CASA would no doubt be footing the bill, using a bunch of our $20 hobbyist fees.

Let's hope so

 

[Johnpol]

Let's hope so

Doubt it will probably go to fund the Christmas party, we won’t see it!!!!!!!!!

 

[AnzacJack]

some info on the new CASA approved apps

Drone safety apps

www.casa.gov.au

OpenSky

opensky.wing.com

 

[MavicFT1P]

You have to register to check for restrictions, thats a good idea..

 

[FoxhallGH]

Sounds a bit like Australia is going the same way as Europe, in that the Aviation authorities are looking to a 'Unified Traffic Management' [UTM] future - where it's recognised that Drones will be one member of a crowded sky, where all aircraft will need to know about each other, and about restrictions / NOTAM's etc. Maybe the old app' was just too drone specific and has no forward link into a UTM scheme??

 

[Pietros]

Another email from CASA today:



"CASA-approved drone safety app now available

The first CASA-approved drone safety app connected to our new RPAS digital platform is now available for all recreational and commercial drone operators to download and use.

The digital platform is an exciting technological development for CASA and is the foundation of a fresh approach to safety for unmanned operations.

Over the coming weeks, we will retire the Can I fly there? app. We recommend that you delete the ‘Can I fly there? app now and visit www.casa.gov.au/droneapp to select an alternative drone safety app.

The development of our platform aligns with the broader whole-of-government approach to ‘open data’ in order to improve services to the community. It is also another first step in helping us to integrate drones into Australian airspace safely and efficiently.

In the future, we’re excited that the new platform will also:

integrate with our proposed drone registration system

allow licenced operators to submit flight authorisation requests

automate approvals to operate within 3 NM of a controlled aerodrome, where safe to do so

provide the building blocks for a future RPA traffic management system.


For more information, go to www.casa.gov.au/droneapp. Future CASA-approved apps will allow developers to innovate and keep pace with technological change."

The future options look interesting.

 

[AnzacJack]

This week CASA announced that the first CASA-approved drone safety app connected to the RPAS digital platform was available for all recreational and commercial drone operator to download and use. In the few days following the announcement, AAUS fielded a number of calls from its membership who were concerned that the provider of the first drone safety app (Wing) had received an uncompetitive advantage over Australian Industry.
We contacted Luke Gumley (LG), Branch Manager RPAS, CASA to ask some questions on behalf of industry. Luke responded to our approach very quickly and we are happy to provide this to our membership. He also followed up with a phone call and discussed some of the initial issues with the first drone app that had been resolved quickly (including correct depiction of 3nm ranges from aerodromes).
AAUS is appreciative of Luke’s time in the interest of expediting the opportunity for industry to engage in the development of innovative and enabling drone safety apps for the domestic RPAS community. We believe that this is a landmark moment for the Australian drone industry and there will be considerable benefits to safety for all of the aviation as future drone apps utilising the RPAS digital platform roll out.
The full list of AAUS questions and Luke’s responses are listed below:
AAUS: Were WING given privileged treatment with early access to the platform? If so, what was the rationale?
LG: Wing have not been provided any preferential treatment. CASA conducted a competitive procurement process in accordance with Australian Government procurement rules. CASA approached several suppliers which included Australian-based suppliers to respond to CASA’s approach to market. A copy of the approach to market documentation is attached here. The panel assessed Wing as the preferred supplier. The unweighted evaluation criteria as set out in the approach to market documentation were as follows:

1. 1. Extent to which the response met CASA’s requirements set out in the approach to market;
   2. The Respondent’s demonstrated capability and capacity to provide the requirement; and
   3. Whole of life costs to be incurred by CASA, with considerations including both the quoted price and any costs that CASA would incur as a result of accepting the response.

Statement of Requirement paragraph 2.7 states that “In order to showcase the capability of the Platform and to show a third-party app can successfully interact with the Platform as intended, Suppliers will be required to connect a functioning third-party app for acceptance testing purposes, that meets the documented approval process. The app may be the Supplier’s or that of another third-party. This will also allow testing and demonstration of the documented approval and onboarding process.”
AAUS: There appears to be limited transparency or consultation around the CASA’s processes in relation to approved drone safety apps. Can you comment?
LG: CASA has provided an email response to interested developers that contacted CASA on or before 1 July. Further information is also available at www.casa.gov.au/droneapp CASA will provide more detailed information in the coming months about opening the Platform to additional developers. In the interim, CASA is ensuring the Platform is operating as intended before inviting application. CASA believes this is a reasonable and mature roll-out methodology.
AAUS: What is the process for interested parties accessing the digital platform to develop drone safety apps?
LG: CASA is in the process of finalising the onboarding process for interested developers. Around 8 developers have so far contacted CASA requesting information about joining the Platform. CASA has responded to those that have contacted CASA to advise that we are working to open applications to developers in the coming months. A copy of that email is attached. Information is also available on CASA’s website www.casa.gov.au/droneapp It is our intention to publish more detailed information on the application process in due course.
AAUS: Some interested developers have reported to AAUS that CASA have indicated that they wont be able to access documentation for the digital platform for a number of months (Sep / Oct timeframe). Is this true?
LG: As explained in CASA’s email to the developers (attached), in building the Platform, Wing was required to connect an app to it to demonstrate the Platform’s functionality and how a third-party would connect to the Platform while meeting the onboarding process. Wing used its own developed app for that purpose. On this basis, CASA was able to be satisfied of the apps functionality interacting with the Platform, and approved its use of it. CASA however considers the further onboarding trial will verify the effectiveness of CASA’s app approval and onboarding process. As indicated in the attached email, CASA is working towards inviting interested developers to apply to join the Platform from September. CASA encourages developers to check www.casa.gov.au/droneapp regularly for updated information.
The launch of the digital Platform is an innovative way to allow industry and developers to connect their apps to a standardised architecture, and in an environment that is approved by CASA. This will allow industry and developers to tailor their apps to RPA operators, and provide more choice to operators. The Platform provides a pathway to future capabilities, including:

• • integration with our proposed drone registration system
  • allowing licensed operators to submit flight authorisation requests
  • automating approvals to operate within 3nm of a controlled aerodrome, where safe to do so
  • providing the building blocks for a future RPA traffic management system

 

[Phill]

Looks like it's been put back a bit according to todays paper

CASA also plans to roll out a mandatory registration scheme Australian drone users, with commercial operators expected to sign up late this year and recreational users required to join in the second half of 2020.
Registration is expected to cost between $20 and $160 for each drone annually.
Source

World’s largest drone maker calls for crackdown on dangerous pilots
Drone maker DJI says Australian authorities should punish ‘risky behaviour’ that endangers both helicopters and bystanders.
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, National technology editor, News Corp Australia Network
Subscriber only
|
July 17, 2019 9:51pm
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The world’s biggest drone maker has urged Australian authorities to crack down on dangerous behaviour risking harm to helicopters and bystanders in a controversial whitepaper launched in Australia today.
Chinese firm DJI also slammed American safety agencies for failing to prosecute high-profile drone accidents, while publicly supporting upcoming changes to Australian air safety law that will see recreational drone users pay an annual fee to register their flying machines.
Executives from the tech giant presented the drone safety whitepaper to government officials at the ‘RPAS in Australian Skies’ conference in Canberra yesterday, outlining 10 changes that should be “implemented without delay”.
Police drone unit to fight crime from air
Drug smuggling drones hit prisons
Tassie Police have a new weapon to fight crime
Proposed strategies included new drone incident reporting standards, remote identification for drones, and a crack down on “unsafe drone operations” to ensure misbehaving pilots knew the laws were not “toothless”.
It cited two serious drone incidents in the US — a drone crashing into a helicopter in New York and another flying over a landing airliner in Las Vegas — for which no one was prosecuted.
DJI North American communications director Adam Lisberg told News Corp safety authorities needed to punish irresponsible drone use for public safety and the entire industry.
“It sounds counterintuitive,” he said. “But it would be irresponsible for us to say, okay, we’re making these really cool things, now just deal with the consequences.
“We have seen around the world officials saying one really bad incident with a drone is going to set back all the progress the industry has made. It’s important that everyone takes the steps necessary to make sure drones remain safe.”
DJI also committed to introducing new safety measures to its drones from January next year, Mr Lisberg said, after discovering they could pose a serious risk to low-flying aircraft such as helicopters.

Drone maker DJI has called on Australia to crackdown on drone pilots. Picture: Supplied
“When we started looking at the evidence from around the world on where drones hit traditional aircraft, it involved helicopters,” he said. “They have found pieces of drones in helicopters.
“There have also been videos posted from drone pilots which show extremely close calls with helicopters where they didn’t hear or see the helicopter coming.”
As such, the company will introduce ADS-B receivers in all of its drones over 250g, which would receive information from nearby aircraft and send alerts to drone pilots.
Civil Aviation and Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said the agency would welcome the safety addition as it could help Australian drone users trying to do the right thing.
“The rule at the moment is that if there is an aircraft near your drone, you must ground your drone,” Mr Gibson said. “That relies on you knowing there’s an aircraft there.
“You may not be able to see it. This technology could help people be in compliance with the laws.”
CASA also plans to roll out a mandatory registration scheme Australian drone users, with commercial operators expected to sign up late this year and recreational users required to join in the second half of 2020.
Registration is expected to cost between $20 and $160 for each drone annually.