{"id":"F2017L00775","name":"CASA EX65/17 - Exemption — release of small and light unmanned free balloons beyond visual line of sight of the operator","slug":"casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":96631,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2017L00775-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA EX65/17 - Exemption — release of small and light unmanned free balloons beyond visual line of sight of the operator","content":"Instrument number CASA EX65/17\n\nI, SHANE PATRICK CARMODY, Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 11.160 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.\n\n\\[Signed S. Carmody\\]\n\nShane Carmody  \nDirector of Aviation Safety\n\n26 June 2017\n\nExemption — release of small and light unmanned free balloons beyond visual line of sight of the operator\n\n1 Duration\n\nThis instrument:\n\n(a) commences on the day after registration; and\n\n(b) is repealed at the end of 31 May 2020.\n\n2 Definitions\n\nIn this instrument:\n\napproved area has the meaning given by regulation 101.150 of CASR.\n\n3 Application\n\nThis instrument applies to the operator of an unmanned free balloon that is:\n\n    (a) a small balloon released in accordance with regulation 101.155 of CASR; and\n    (b) a light balloon that is released outside an approved area in accordance with regulation 101.160 of CASR.\n\n4 Exemption\n\nThe operator is exempt from compliance with regulation 101.073 of CASR to the extent that subregulation 101.073 (1) requires an approval to operate an unmanned aircraft beyond visual line of sight.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-batch","completionTokens":1933},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument remains tightly focused on its original purpose of exempting specific low-risk balloon operations from BVLOS approval requirements, without scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Only 4 operative sections","Single defined term ('approved area')","Basic exemption structure with two clear categories of covered balloons","Minimal legislative cross-referencing"],"plain_english_summary":"This exemption allows people to release certain **small and light unmanned free balloons** (such as weather balloons) without needing special permission to fly them beyond where the operator can see.\n\nNormally, you must get approval from CASA to operate any unmanned aircraft—including balloons—beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). This instrument creates an automatic exemption for two categories:\n\n* **Small balloons** – released in accordance with the specific rules for small balloons under aviation law; and  \n* **Light balloons** – released outside designated \"approved areas\" but still following the rules for light balloon releases.\n\nEssentially, if you're operating these specific types of low-risk balloons in compliance with the standard release regulations, you don't need to apply for a separate BVLOS approval. This reduces paperwork for activities like meteorological monitoring or research flights while maintaining other safety requirements."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight","history":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-ex65-17-exemption-release-of-small-and-light-unmanned-free-balloons-beyond-visual-line-of-sight/documents"}}