Area Approvals – Under Construction Do Not Use

What is an Area Approval & Why?

An Area Approval (sometimes called an ‘Instrument’) is an approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to fly remotely piloted aircraft (i.e. ‘our models of all types) at a specific location with specific restrictions. These restrictions vary depending upon many different factors, all of which need to be documented to allow CASA to determine and authorise the approvals for a model flying site.

The requirement for an Area Approval is a legislated requirement (i.e. it is the ‘law of the land’) with associated consequences as any other law if it is not complied with.

ANSW/MAAA clubs will require an area approval if:

• Height: You would like to operate above 400ft.

• Located near a full-size airport; You are within 3 nautical miles of any controlled aerodrome (a controlled aerodrome is defined as whether a Control Tower is present AND it is in use (manned) at the same time when you fly your planes.

• Full Size Movements, such as an approach/departure path or general movement which is;
  • Uncontrolled airports: up to 7kms from either end of a runway
  • Controlled airports: up to 8.5kms from either end of a runway

• Location: You fly at a location where manned aircraft can either take off from or land or even overfly.

• You want to conduct a model flying display: Model Flying Displays require a CASA Permission CASR 101.080 and may or may not require an Area Approval and comply with the MAAA MOP.

In many cases a club that operates outside of a controlled area and under 400 ft does not require an Area Approval.

All Area Approvals (Instruments) are usually issued for 5 years, but not always, so keep an eye on the expiry date for your existing Area Approval.

If any details on the Instrument change the Instrument may need to be renewed.

Also please keep in mind that each Area Approval currently costs between $360-$480 (paid for by the MAAA but ultimately by all members) and requires considerable time and effort on the part of many people to process.

Below is an outline of documentation required by CASA to support an Area Approval application/renewal. All the forms are attached to this guide as PDFs or Word Documents.

To assist you in gathering information for your Area Approval application the following list has been created, CASA Recreational Flight Authorisation Considerations. For further information visit the CASA website under Apply for Flight Authorisations.

What information do you need to provide?

CASA Application Form
The CASA Application Form – Model Aircraft Flight Authorisation Form is attached as a PDF file that you can type into. The MAAA Aviation Reference Number (ARN), 578375, has already been entered. Download the form and save it to your own device.

Please ensure it is signed! If you can’t sign it electronically, please sign it next to the box in the white space. See example below.

Maps / Field Layout Photos
Maps and field layout are typically provided as a Google Earth Satellite image.

• High level layout photo of field, eg. 3000ft – Use a Google Earth photo
• Detailed level layout photo of field, eg. 400ft with markings identifying:
  • Pits
  • Pilot Box
  • Visitor’s area
  • Car Parking
  • Operations Area (where planes taxi and takeoff)
  • Identification of any hazards or restrictions

If you can complete this as soon as possible, it can be entered into the AVCRM software which will give a map showing nearby helipads, airfields etc. which may help you in understanding stakeholder management issues.

Club Information
Club information must have all the details filled in as these are required by CASA before they review any
application. Some of the information required is:

1. Club legal (i.e. Inc.) name and details,
2. Required Ceiling Height and reason why,
3. Club Rules/By Laws.
4. Operational Safety Rules – these are the procedures outlining how you comply with for example, CASA 22/22 and other requirements,
5. What type of model aircraft will be operated under the authorisation (i.e. gliders over or under 3m or fixed wing aircraft over or under 3m), and
6. Nearest Aerodrome and radio frequencies in use.

Club rules must have a version number and a date. They must also be current and give mention to the ‘controls’ in the Risk Assessment.

Stakeholder Engagement Evidence
Notification to Airports and Neighbours:

• You must provide a stakeholder engagement letter to interested stakeholders. A stakeholder engagement letter template in MS Word can be found here. Download the template and save it to your own device.
• Carefully consider who may be an interested stakeholder. It is up to the Club to determine who their stakeholders are however, CASA has provided the following guidelines, ‘Aviation engagement (include aerodromes, aircraft landing areas, helicopter landing sites within 50km radius that are likely to be impacted by the operation of model aircraft‘.
• You must provide a summary table of all stakeholder engagement activities. A summary table template in MS Word can be found here. Download the template and save it to your own device.
• Written permission from the landowner or leaseholder (Controlling Authority Agreement) – This is to demonstrate you have permission to use the land for the purposes of model aircraft. This may include a Crown Lands licence, NPWS lease, local council rental agreement, private lease, etc.

Risk Assessment
The MAAA Risk Assessment Template can be found here.
Risk Assessments are expected to have 4 main topics:

• Airspace risk
  • Crewed aircraft 
  • Mid air collision 
  • Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
  • Etc
• Ground risk
  • Neighbouring properties
  • Vehicles 
  • Etc
• People risk (including Visitors and members)
  • Visitors and spectators entering unauthorised areas
  • Etc
• Fire Risk
  • Impacts of fire, and how this may be managed. 
  • Total fire bans
  • Etc

How is this information presented to CASA?

It is important all of the information provided in an Area Approval is consistent, complete and contained. Once all information is ready, please send all documentation through to areaapprovals@nsw.aeromodellers.org.au. The documentation will be reviewed, clarification may be sought, and recommendations may be made. The final set of documentation will be entered into the Area Approval software (AVCRM).

Once this is ready it will be reviewed and approved by the MAAA Safety Officer and then lodged with CASA for review and approval.

This process is designed to reduce workload, the potential for errors and enable CASA to process the information in the shortest possible time.

The time taken for CASA to process is variable. MAAA guidance is to have the Area Approval submitted at least 4 months (120 days) before the date it is required (say for a display) or if an existing instrument requires renewal.

So you need to work backwards from that and think about how long it will take your club to provide the necessary information.