Aerodromes & Helipads
Both CASR 101 and the CASA Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOPS) contain relevant legislation.
CASR 101.75(4):
A person must not operate an unmanned aircraft in such a manner as to create an obstruction to an aircraft taking off from, or approaching for landing at, a landing area or a runway of an aerodrome.
CASA EX96/17 October 17 Set out some changes to the wording of these requirements.
Chapter 4 of the CASA Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOPS):
4.02: the no-fly zone of a controlled aerodrome is any airspace:
- below 400 ft and
- within 3 NM (5.5km) of the movement area of an aerodrome; or
- within the approach and departure paths referred to in section 4.05, whether or not they extend beyond 3 NM of the movement area.
4.05 defines the approach and departure paths around aerodromes, as including:
- 500m either side in the middle of the runway, ie 1km wide strip, parallel to the runway for about 2.5km , and then spreading out in a trapezoid to 3.85km wide at 7km out from the end of the runway: no flying from ground level, and
- a further 'cross-hatched area' starting 7km out, for about another 1000m to a width of 4.65km: no flying above 300 feet, and
- a grey 'race-track' area around the runway of radius 4km from centre of runway: no flying above 150 feet.
4.03 state that drones cannot be flown in the no-fly zones, except for:
- micro drones and drones weighing less than 250g, which can be flown in the no-fly zone but not in the approach and departure paths (see below), and
- exclusively indoors flights.
- other complex exceptions, e.g. tethered RPAs, specific defined RPAs, flights with specific CASA approval, and for certified operators under complex rules with VLOS and ATC clearance.
NOTE: this means that micro and <250g drones can be legally flown within the 3nm / 5.5km no-fly circle, up to 150 feet, so long as they stay out of the black trapezoidal area in the above diagram (and up to 300 feet at the ends of the black area).
All other drones must stay outside the approach and departure area AND outside the 3nm/5.5km circle.
See Chapter 9 of the CASA Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOPS).
The no-fly zone of a non-controlled aerodrome is the same as for a controlled aerodrome (see above).
The no-fly zone for a Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) extends from ground level 1.4km out. (9.02)
A drone may be flown within the no-fly zone of a non-controlled aerodrome or a HLS, but when the pilot becomes aware that manned aircraft is within the no-fly zone, i.e. approaching, landing, taking off, or manoeuvring on the movement area, they must either not take off, or if in the air, the drone must be safely manoeuvred out of the path of the aircraft and landed as soon as possible. (see the note to 9.03 referencing 101.75(4), and 9.04).
Micro RPA's appear excluded from these requirements, but < 250g drones are not specifically mentioned. I'd have thought that the same regulations should apply for both.