Specific Category UAS

Introduction

The Specific category is intended for UAS operations where the UAS is not certified to an airworthiness standard. Consequently, increased operational controls and limitations are required to enable an appropriate risk assessment for safe aviation operations. A Specific Category UAS may operate:

1. under an Authority issued [DASA] UAS Operating Permit (UASOP) which provides discrete Authority approval, or
2. in accordance with an Authority-published ‘Standard Scenario’, without a discrete Authority approval.

The UASOP is an authorisation issued by the Authority for certain Specific category UAS operations. A UASOP would normally only be pursued where:

1. the operating freedoms of Certified category are either not necessary or not achievable
2. the UAS design and / or its proposed operations do not meet the entirety of the requirements of an Authority-published Standard Scenario
3. the proposed UAS operations do not meet the entirety of Standard Operating Conditions under Open Category.

UAS operations under a Standard Scenario do not require an explicit Authority approval. Command/Group can authorise UAS operations under a Standard Scenario provided every requirement and limitation of an Authority-published Standard Scenario has been met and risk controls implemented.

What We Do

Standard Scenarios – Specific Type B

UAS operations under a Standard Scenario do not require an explicit Authority approval. Command/Group can authorise UAS operations under a Standard Scenario provided every requirement and limitation of an Authority-published Standard Scenario has been met and risk controls implemented.

For Standard Scenarios, the Authority has defined the technical and operational risk controls that, had the Command/Group presented them to the Authority, should justify Authority issue of a UASOP. Authority-published Standard Scenarios present an alternative to the issue of a UASOP for a particular UAS and operating environment.

Specific Type A

A Form 153 UASOP is issued to an applicant to approve certain Specific category UAS operations, by the Authority. The UASOP is a standalone authorisation that contains all the DASR compliance requirements and operating limitations that pertain to a particular Specific category UAS operation, as directed by the Authority. The extent of compliance with initial airworthiness, continuing airworthiness and air operations in accordance with DASR will depend on the complexity of the proposed operating environment and the robustness of the UAS design.

How Do I Apply?

Standard Scenarios – Specific Type B

UAS operations under a Standard Scenario do not require an explicit Authority approval.

Approval documentation should be developed by Command. The approval should be supported by OIP which may include some of the following, and tailored based on the risk and complexity of each operation:

• CRE statement
• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) instructions
• Standing Instructions (SI) / Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Risk Management Plan
• Air Traffic Management Plan (if required)

Prior to first operation, the accountable manager must notify the Authority via the DASR Form 150.

Authority acknowledgement of receipt of the declaration is not needed prior to first operation. There is also no need to re-declare to the Authority any subsequent intentions to operate that same UAS under the same Standard Scenario provided details in the original declaration remain unchanged.

Specific Type A

To help DASA provide timely advice and manage approvals, a Form 151 – Notification for UASOP should be submitted to the DASA UAS group mailbox. For further information on the UASOP process please contact DASA UAS OPS.

Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the Risk Controls for UAS Operations Advisory Circular and use of the Risk Control Matrix for Specific Type A UAS Operations spreadsheet.

Early and ongoing engagement with DASA is of benefit.

I Want To Learn More…

If you want to learn more about Specific category UAS operations, please consult the following resources:

Support

If you have questions about this topic please contact dasa.uas@defence.gov.au

For DASR queries please submit a DASR Query Form (DQF) Form 110