Starting a drone business — transcript

00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:06.199 Starting a drone business: the ReOC, insurance, and the operations manual.

00:00:07.400 --> 00:00:12.828 A RePL is pilot authority. A ReOC is operator authority, held by the business.

00:00:12.828 --> 00:00:17.843 If you're paid to fly a drone over two kilos, you need a ReOC: your own,

00:00:17.843 --> 00:00:19.286 or another holder's.

00:00:20.200 --> 00:00:24.431 Flying for a business with a drone of two kilos or less is excluded category:

00:00:24.431 --> 00:00:27.305 register the drone, and hold operator accreditation.

00:00:28.200 --> 00:00:32.367 Most new pilots start by flying under an existing ReOC holder,

00:00:32.367 --> 00:00:34.417 before applying for their own.

00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:38.602 With a ReOC, a business can employ RePL holders,

00:00:38.602 --> 00:00:44.294 and apply to CASA for approvals to fly outside the standard operating conditions,

00:00:44.294 --> 00:00:47.765 such as at night, or beyond visual line of sight.

00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:54.005 Quick check. You hold a RePL, and you're paid to fly a five-kilo drone.

00:00:54.005 --> 00:00:55.731 What else do you need?

00:00:56.400 --> 00:01:00.841 A ReOC: your own, or a ReOC holder's.

00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:05.765 To apply, you give CASA your company details and structure,

00:01:05.765 --> 00:01:10.696 and appoint a chief remote pilot and a maintenance controller. In a small company,

00:01:10.696 --> 00:01:12.597 one person can hold both roles.

00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:17.606 The chief remote pilot must be approved by CASA. They manage operations,

00:01:17.606 --> 00:01:20.200 keep pilots inside the rules and the manual,

00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:23.196 and normally sign off flights and risk assessments.

00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:26.180 You also write an operations manual.

00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:29.362 It sets out the company's obligations and procedures:

00:01:29.362 --> 00:01:33.781 normal and non-normal operations, risk assessments, training, maintenance,

00:01:33.781 --> 00:01:36.904 and the operations and aircraft you're approved for.

00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:40.952 Keep checklists and forms in the operations library,

00:01:40.952 --> 00:01:42.974 a living document you can update.

00:01:42.974 --> 00:01:46.185 Changes to the manual itself go to CASA for approval.

00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:52.350 Then insurance. Public liability insurance covers claims for injury to people,

00:01:52.350 --> 00:01:55.803 or damage to their property, caused by your drone.

00:01:56.600 --> 00:01:59.714 The course notes call it strongly recommended.

00:01:59.714 --> 00:02:03.292 Most ReOC holders require their pilots to be covered,

00:02:03.292 --> 00:02:05.412 and many clients ask for proof.

00:02:05.412 --> 00:02:09.322 Check the current requirements with CASA and your insurer.

00:02:10.200 --> 00:02:14.378 Recap: a RePL for the pilot, a ReOC for the business.

00:02:14.378 --> 00:02:20.877 A chief remote pilot and a maintenance controller. An operations manual you follow.

00:02:20.877 --> 00:02:24.358 And insurance, checked before the first job.

00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:30.546 Final check. When you apply for a ReOC, who must CASA approve?

00:02:31.200 --> 00:02:33.133 Your chief remote pilot.