RPAS Excluded Category
Guidelines for CDU staff and students operating RPAS within the Excluded Category.
Learn how to operate RPAS as a component of CDU business under CASA’s Excluded Category.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) staff and students can fly their own RPAS under CDU Policy without being added to the NACAS ReOC (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate). This is termed flying in the Excluded Category (RPAS under 2 kg). Pilots operating in the Excluded Category are not under the authority of NACAS and are not bound by the terms of the ReOC.
When operating an RPAS as a component of CDU business, it is important to be aware of the key limitations before flying in the Excluded Category. Those are listed below.
If the planned RPAS operation does not comply with the list below and, therefore, can’t follow under the Excluded Category, please click here for information on how to operate under the NACAS ReOC.
RPAS Operations under the Excluded Category
The total take-off weight of the RPAS must be less than 2 kg.
The RPAS must be registered with CASA.
The pilot must hold the CASA RPAS Operators Accreditation or a remote pilot licence (RePL).
The RPAS must be operated within the pilot's visual line of sight.
The RPAS must be operated at or below a height of 400 ft by day.
The RPAS must not be operated within 30 m of another person.
The RPAS must not be operated in a prohibited or restricted area.
The RPAS must not be operated over a populous area.
The RPAS must not be operated within 5.5 km (3 NM) of a controlled aerodrome.
The RPAS must not be operated over an area where a fire, police, or other public safety or emergency operation is being conducted.
Important information
CASA has published a detailed booklet to assist RPAS pilots operating in the Excluded Category, which can be found here (CASA website).
CDU staff and students flying in the Excluded Category and NOT flying under the NACAS ReOC will be covered under the CDU third-party insurance as per CDU Policy with a $50,000 excess.