Requirements for a UAV Operators Certificate
In preparation for your UAV Operators Certificate (UOC) application, you may be required to develop
the following manuals:
a. Operations Manual, including a risk assessment
b. Flight Manual
c. Maintenance Manual
A completed submission to regservices@casa.gov.au will require the above 3 manuals and a
completed CASA Form 041 http://www.casa.gov.au/manuals/regulate/misc/form041.pdf
Sample Operations Manual
The attached document is an example of a generic RPAS Operations Manual. Please note this
document has not yet been approved and may be subject to change. The RPAS Operations Manual is
guidance which can be used as a guide/template during the development of your own manual.
Additionally, a guidance information pack is attached and provides supporting information which is
recommended for consideration when drafting your operations manual.
This example manual is designed with black text providing a general statement and does not require
changing whilst the text in blue is a guide where your organisation can add your own specific
requirements. The completed manual submitted to CASA should not have any blue text.
CASA appreciates that not every person who plans to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system
(RPAS) has an aviation background. As a result, the intent of this manual is to assist applicants
compile their submission, and thus help to expedite the application process.
Chief Controller
Every UOC applicant is required to nominate a Chief Controller in the submission. The Chief
Controller will need to be a certified remote pilot/UAV controller for the type of RPA/UAV(s) that are
planned to be operated. As part of the UOC assessment, the Chief Controller will also be required to
undergo a practical assessment; therefore, the qualification is required before applying for a UOC.
Refer to the accompanying attachment on remote pilot/UAV controller eligibility criteria.
Costs associated with your UOC Application
The following costs are provided for guidance only. The actual amount charged for the assessment
will depend on the complexity of the application that includes a manual review and practical
assessment. Suggested costs for applicant planning are:
a. Initial UOC approval process is estimated at $4000; and
b. Renewal UOC approval process is estimated at $480. Please note that an initial issue
UOC will be valid for 12 months, with subsequent renewals at three yearly intervals.
The assessment time taken will be dependent on the quality and completeness of your submission.
General Information for UOC for aircraft 7kgs or less
All of the requirements for RPA of 7kgs and less are covered in the generic Operations Manual that is
attached.
General Information for UOC for aircraft between 7 and 20kgs
Risk Assessment/Analysis
Appendix 7 of the example Operations Manual provides guidelines for managing your risk. While
there is no definitive answer to managing risk, it certainly is the basis for your Risk
Assessment/Analysis. The risk ranking table (Probability V Consequence) and a variety of similar
documents are readily available on the internet. Dependant on the scope of your organisation’s
operations, the more complex and involved activities you intend to provide would determine the
content needed within your Risk Matrix. The ISO31000 is the standard to follow. In the absence of a
certificate of airworthiness, a Risk Analysis is an important part of the assessment undertaken on
your UOC application.
Safety Management Systems (SMS)
You are not required to develop a SMS for your organisation; however, you are encouraged to
consider the benefits in terms of safety and cost savings of a SMS.
A safety management system should be a part of the culture of an organisation, and is used to
manage all aspects of safety throughout an organisation. It provides a systematic way to identify
hazards and control risks while maintaining assurance that these risk controls are effective (refer
FAA). SMS has been defined as a businesslike approach to safety. It is a systematic, explicit and
comprehensive process for managing safety risks. As with all management systems, a safety
management system provides for goal setting, planning, and measuring performance. The link to the
CASA website for SMS is: http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_101001
Link to the ASNZS4801:2001 Self-Assessment Checklist is
http://www.ncsi.com.au/downloads/S002.pdf
This link will provide the topics and the questions that apply to establishing a SMS. All items are
important parts of a SMS with the risk assessment critical to the outcome.
Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP)
At this time, you are not required to develop a DAMP for RPAS operations as they are not covered by
Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulation 1998 . However, UOC holder’s crews could be
randomly tested as RPA operations are considered as a ‘safety sensitive aviation activity’. CASA
recommends that you review the CASA AOD home page using the following link:
http://casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:HOMEPAGE::pc=PC_100001
Privacy
Although privacy provisions are not a part of the CASA Regulations that apply to the use of RPA
(UAV), CASA recommends that applicants read the following material that provides practical advice
on privacy matters relating to the use of a RPA.
a. Privacy and drone technology http://www.oic.qld.gov.au/about/news/privacy-and-dronetechnology
b. Fact Sheet 7 (Ten steps to protect others’ personal information)
http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-resources/privacy-fact-sheets/other/privacy-factsheet-7-ten-steps-to-protect-other-people-s-personal-information
c. Guide to Privacy Impact Assessments
http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/guidelines/Privacy_Impact_Assessment_Guide.html
d. Information Sheet 18: Taking reasonable steps to make individuals aware that personal
information about them is being collected
http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/infosheets/view/6550
e. Privacy checklist for small business
http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/brochures/view/6053
Insurance
For your consideration and prior to submitting your UOC application, CASA recommends that you
contact your insurance provider to obtain information surrounding public liability insurance.
Insurance costs can be significant and could influence your decision to apply.