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Drone Flight Request

Drone operations in and around TasPorts' security-regulated ports are subject to Commonwealth aviation laws, including CASA regulations and local port safety and security requirements.

Any drone flight on TasPorts land, within a port precinct, or over a managed waterway must be conducted by a licensed drone operator and approved in advance by TasPorts.

Please note: Personal drones are deemed hobby drones and will not be approved.
 

If you are unsure if your location falls within TasPorts area, please contact dronerequests@tasports.com.au.

To submit a Commercial Filming Request, please click here.
 

Submitting your request

Drone flights requests must be submitted by the project manager or commercial pilot at least three business days prior to the flight date.

Requests must include all information noted below.

CASA Operator Accreditation

CASA Drone Registration

  • Please supply your current Certificate of Registration for the drone you intend to use for this flight.
  • Registration for drones, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), flying for business or as part of your job is now required.

Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)

  • If you intend to launch or land within a Secure Port Zone and hold a current MSIC, please supply a photo or scanned copy.

Public Liability Insurance

  • Please provide the drone operators' current Certificate of Currency or Certificate of Insurance equal to or greater than $20 million. An invoice is not sufficient.

Flight Map

  • Please provide a map outlining the entire flight zone, including launch and landing sites and flight direction. Please consider safe distances from structures, vessels and the public. Markers on satellite images from Google Maps work well for this purpose. Please see the example map below.

Drone Flight Example Map


    Drone Flight Request Application Form

    Requests must be submitted by the project manager or drone pilot at least 3 business days prior to the flight date.
    Start - finish (must be confined to a six-hour window)
    Please provide a brief overview of what is going to be captured and its purpose.
     
    Please supply either Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operator accreditation or Remote Pilot Licence. Your aviation reference number (ARN) alone is not sufficient.
    Please supply your Certificate of Registration for the drone you intend to use for this flight.
    Please provide the drone pilot's current Certificate of Currency or Certificate of Insurance equal to or greater than $20 million.
    Please provide a map outlining the entire flight zone, including launch and landing sites, distances and flight direction.
    If you intend to launch or land within a Secure Port Zone and hold a current MSIC, please supply a photo or scanned copy.

    RESTRICTIONS ON DRONE OPERATIONS

    In addition to the Drone Safety Rules set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the following restrictions apply to drone operators:

    • Drones must not be flown higher than 120 metres (400 ft) above ground level, closer than 30 metres to people, or over or above people at any time or height
    • Drones cannot enter controlled airspace
    • The pilot must maintain a direct visual line of sight of the drone at all times
    • Drones must never be flown within 100m of a vessel while stationary, within 200m of a vessel under steam, or directly over a vessel unless prior approval has been sought from the vessel operator via TasPorts security
    • Drones must not fly near emergency situations, such as natural disasters or police operations, without prior approval.
    • Drones must not fly within 3nm (5.5km) from an aerodrome or helipad (NOTE: The Port of Hobart is less than 5.5km from the emergency helipad – checks are required to ensure the helipad is not in use prior to and at the time of drone operation).
    • Drones must not fly when vessel bunkering activities are occurring or when fuel ships are in port
    • Drones may not be approved if Australian Defence Force vessels are in the immediate area