1CASA 20/25 – Operation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets – Directions Instrument 2025

Instrument number CASA 20/25

I, steven JAMES campbell, Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 11.245 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

[Signed S. Campbell]

Steven Campbell
Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards

27 March 2025

CASA 20/25 – Operation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets –Directions Instrument 2025

1 Name

This instrument is CASA 20/25 – Operation of Certain Unmanned Aircraft and Rockets – Directions Instrument 2025.

2 Duration

The instrument:

(a) commences on 1 April 2025; and

(b) is repealed at the end of 31 March 2028; and

(c) thereby ceases to be in force on and from 1 April 2028.

Note Paragraph (c) is for the purposes of paragraph 11.250(a) of CASR.

3 Definitions

(1) In this instrument:

Act means the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

CASR means the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

rocket has the meaning given by the CASR Dictionary and, for the purposes of this instrument, includes a firework projectile.

Note Rocket includes a firework rocket.

safety zone: see subsection 7(2).

unmanned aircraft means any of the following:

(a) a tethered, or any other kind of, balloon, or a kite;

(b) an unmanned free balloon;

(c) an RPA;

(d) a model aircraft.

(2) Subject to subsection (1), in this instrument, words and phrases have the same meaning as in Part 101 of CASR and the Act, unless the contrary intention appears.

4 Application

This instrument applies, according to its terms, to the operation of unmanned aircraft and rockets, other than operations mentioned in paragraphs 101.005(3)(b) and (c) of CASR.

Note Paragraphs 101.005(3)(b) and (c) of CASR refer to certain indoor operations, as defined, and are not affected by this instrument.

5 Directions relating to the operation of RPA or model aircraft higher than 400 ft AGL

(1) A person controlling an RPA or a model aircraft must not operate the aircraft higher than 400 ft AGL.

(2) The direction in subsection (1) does not apply to the following:

(a) the operation of an RPA or a model aircraft in accordance with:

(i) an authorisation (however described) or exemption granted under CASR that permits operation of the aircraft higher than 400 ft AGL; or