FAQs

 

Do I need to hire a Licensed Operator?

YES, If you are looking to hire an operator flying a drone for a commercial purpose. For Recreational purposes you don’t need a licence. Commercial Operators working under the 2kg exemption and without a licence will not be able to obtain public liability insurance, don’t adhere to the same strict maintenance schedules, reporting, safety procedures and cannot fly at night or in restricted airspace or populous areas.

What are CASA restrictions?

We can fly up to a maximum height of 122 meters (400ft) above the ground and outside 3NM or 5.5km of a Controlled Airport (i.e. Sydney, Adelaide or Parafield). We can operate inside this restricted Airspace with something called an instrument issued by CASA. This approval costs upwards of $1200 and can take anywhere from 2weeks - 3months. For a quick check of your site click on this map of Adelaide's controlled airspace requiring flight approval prior to a flight. For other states within Australia reach out and we can check for you.

We can fly in wind speeds up to 36km/h, 10m/s, 19kts depending on the drone used these will vary. We operate a professional wind speed detection device on site and we are restricted by CASA to only fly in winds below mentioned above or during periods of Rain.

Australian aviation regulations require operator’s to keep 30 meters minimum distance to people and property not involved in the job. We hold an exemption to fly within 15m provided the person(s) are involved in the shoot.

How hard is aerial footage to arrange?

Very easy when you have the correct advice, up to date procedures and experienced Pilots and Operations. We exceed the requirements laid out by Air Services Australia and CASA, to operate safely, quickly and with the best technology available to give you the best result possible.

Can you fly at night?

YES, In Australia as part of the standard operating procedures for unlicensed drone operators the answer is no. As Licensed remote pilots operating under a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) we can fly at night with our approved procedures in our operations manual. Procedures hold consideration to aircraft lighting, aircraft positioning, suitable take-off and landing areas and any other safety considerations. Aviation daylight hours are from beginning of day to end of day, not sunrise and sunset. This allows flight as standard in civil twilight.

Where can I fly a drone?

There are rules about where you can fly drones for safety reasons and to respect people’s privacy. Unlicensed Operators shouldn’t fly a drone in heavily populated areas, within 5.5km of airfields or within 30m of vehicles, people or buildings. The best place to fly drones is in open spaces where there are no people and your free to fly without posing a risk.

What cameras do you use?

We Utilise the very latest in 4K-6K Full RAW Video and 50mp Full Frame Photography, Aerial Camera solutions. Airworks carry a range of different drones with a range of different payloads depending on what the individual project requires.  We use the best technology available, stabilised gimbal camera systems, enabling us to capture immersive media.

How do you ensure the privacy of the public and third parties?

As we carry imaging equipment on our UAVs we must adhere to a number of regulations set out by the CASA to protect the privacy of the public and third parties. Australian privacy laws are contained in a variety of Commonwealth, State and Territory Acts. The “Privacy Acts” are data protection laws which regulate the collection, use and disclosure of personal information about individuals; they do not protect privacy of the individual in a broader sense. A variety of other legislation contains privacy protection provisions relevant to particular types of entities and/or practices, for example, the Spam Act, surveillance and listening devices acts, and many others.

The remainder of this page provides information about the Privacy Acts. For information about other privacy laws relevant to use of UAV’s, the Internet and other telecommunications systems, refer to the topic listing on EFA’s Privacy and Surveillance Page.

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