You can only fly one drone at a time, and that drone can’t go any higher than 120 metres — that’s 400 feet or about the length of a football field. Drones may be aircraft, but they can’t fly anywhere near major airports. You must fly at least 5.5 kilometres away from a controlled airport, which generally have a control tower at them.

Near the Burnie Airport at Wynyard you can fly your drone within 5.5 kilometres. You can only do this if manned aircraft are not operating in the area, if you are not within the airport itself or flying in areas where aircraft will arrive and depart, known as the approach or departure paths. If you become aware of manned aircraft nearby, you will have to manoeuvre away and land your drone as quickly and safely as possible.

Approach or departure paths

When your drone is up in the air, you can never fly your drone over anyone. This includes places like festivals, sporting events, populated beaches, busy roads and pedestrians on footpaths. And when there are people around, your drone has to be at least 30 metres away from them, unless the other person is helping control or navigate the drone.

You can only fly your drone during daylight hours, and you mustn’t fly in cloud or fog. You must keep it within your visual line of sight. This means being able to navigate, orientate and see your drone with your own eyes at all times — not through a device like a video screen or goggles.

Where can I fly?

CASA-verified drone safety apps and web applications give location-based information with easy to use maps to help show where you can and can not fly your drone according to aviation legislation. Remember to always obey drone safety rules and check your local and state government rules before you fly.