10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
October 2018
Welcome Welcome to the October edition of the AAUS newsletter. It has been a big month for us with our membership numbers passing through 1000 for the first time. In fact, we have experienced membership growth of 40% year on year for the past 3 years and as of today it sits at 1097 members. AAUS welcomes its newest members and thanks its longstanding supporters Activities this month have focussed on our advocacy work and the Aviation Law 101 for RPAS seminar series. We would like to acknowledge the support from Norton White and QBE in providing valuable seminar presentations at no cost to our members. For our Western Australian members, we will be adding Perth to this series schedule before the end of the year (details announced soon). We are also busy preparing for our large unmanned systems conference "Exploring an Unmanned Future" in association with the Australian International Airshow (Avalon 2019). It promises to be our largest event ever focussing on the future of unmanned technologies and in particular drones in Australia over the next 5 years. Both civilian and defence applications of unmanned technologies will be discussed over the two day event. We have locked in the Victorian Arts Centre and Avalon as the conference venues as well as the Left Bank restaurant on Southbank for the conference dinner. Our AGM is approaching fast and we look forward to catching up with members at this event in Melbourne. For those in other states, AAUS will be holding Christmas drink celebrations across Australia during November and December. These will be a great chance to meet AAUS Board members and other members in an informal atmosphere. Look out for further details in coming weeks. Finally, if you want to keep up with all our various activities and industry news, like and follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
What's been making news Australia hosted the first ever Military International Drone Racing Tournament (MIDRT) in Sydney (October 18-21) in association with Invictus Games 2018. Congratulations to the Australian team on its great achievements and being the overall winning team. Read More
Ludovic Grosjean recognized for Social-Tech Solutions to Clean Oceans OceanX Group™ CEO, Ludovic Grosjean was selected by Rotary International as 1 of 6 People of Action: Young Innovator. Grosjean is being recognized for his efforts in developing innovative solutions to tackle problems facing the world’s oceans including using drones to clean plastic, environmental monitoring, and driving social innovations. Every year, 8.8 million tons of plastic waste gets into the oceans, putting marine species at risk of extinction. Read More Metro using drones to catch graffiti vandals Metro trains are taking to the skies in an attempt to catch graffiti vandals across Melbourne’s rail network. Read More
Automated shipping could lead to maritime rules change The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency that sets global rules for shipping, is undertaking a “scoping exercise” to explore whether any of its regulations should be changed to accommodate the expected advent of autonomous ships. Read More
Member Spotlight Name: Darren Stone
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
Organisation: Flight Assess / Asset Excellence Pty Ltd Do you have a nick name? "Dazz" or “Stoney”(Pretty much answer to anything these days)
How long have you been a member of AAUS? Two and a half years, I put quite a bit of time into researching (aka stalking) the make up of AAUS prior to joining and was quite impressed (awe struck) with the high quality of membership community. What drones do you operate? Multi-Rotor at time of writing – particularly H520 and P4 pros. What is a typical day for you? Fly from Brisbane to somewhere in the state to carry out mapping or just visual aerial shooting for clients such as Transport Main Roads etc. What is your top tip for anyone in our industry? Don’t give up It may not seem like it but there is work out there. Shake some trees. The collaboration in the Australian drone industry is like no other industry in Australia – even between competitors – it pays to help each other out. What do you see as the biggest challenge of our industry? Ignorance Some people and companies want a drone operator with an expectation of achieving them at minimal cost –“…‘cause little Johnny down the road got one for Christmas and will do it for nought”. Through ignorance, some people/companies undervalue the time, money and effort it takes to get an RePL, an ReOC, insurances and the responsibility and required safety that comes with utilising a machine in 3 dimensions. What might someone be surprised to find out about you? The reason I lost all my hair – I have two daughters! What is one item you can’t live without & why? My fishing rod – Sometimes we just need CTL ALT DEL times in life. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why? Thomas Edison – he proved that it doesn’t matter what people think – even with many failures – he just kept plugging away and was able to make some of histories greatest contributions to human existence. A truly remarkable individual. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be? Corned Beef with white sauce and potato on the side. What’s your favourite movie? My kids will kill me…..The Castle….it’s the vibe! What would you want most, flying cars, robot housekeepers or moon cities? Flying cars definitely…..far too much of life is currently wasted sitting in traffic blindly following the tail in front.
Technology corner
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
This month's Technology corner is from Bask Aerospace, a Victorian based company founded in 2008 focusing on the design, manufacture and supply of professional, Australian made drone solutions & related accessories. Bask Aerospace also provides hardware and software consultation and remote sensing services to clients all over Australia.
Name of Products: AeroDrone MR4 and SmartHanger AeroDrone MR4 Mk4: The broad new set of features make the AeroDrone MR4 a highly capable aerial platform. According to Bask Aerospace Managing Director, David Skinner, the system has been built with reliability and “ease of use” in mind, it’s been redesigned from the ground up around the Pixhawk2 open-source autopilot system allowing anyone to fly and use the system with minimal initial training and practice. PowerClip, Bask's new battery connector, allows the operator to change batteries safely, easily and within seconds. The all new payload twist-lock clip also makes field-swapping payloads simple and, without the need for tools. The suite of off-the-shelf payload options have also been extended to include; gimbals and mapping mounts for RGB, NDVI and multispectral mapping that allows crop health analysis, yield mapping and stock pile estimation. The new bird control payload also extends functionality to crop protection. With the possibility of a payload over 2kg or a flight time of over 30 minutes, the AeroDrone MR4 can help provide flexible payload and performance options. SmartHangar SmartHangar is a secure and weatherproof drone hangar featuring a drone flight management system, battery change / charge system, RTK GPS base station, weather station and multiple power sources (solar, generator, mains) in portable packaging. Benefits - Completely automates the routine operation of drones. - Provides a “persistent drone solution” for applications that demand continuous operation for any length of time. - Minimises management overhead and reduces operational costs (personnel) associated with owning/operating or outsourcing traditional drone services. - Breaks down the barriers-to-entry for potential end users Initial Application - Next Generation Bird Control for Farmers SmartHanger™ – Avian Scout is the solution to this problem and is fully self contained drone hanger, housing an AeroDrone MR4 fitted with bird control payload. Flight time is scheduled to coincide with bird feeding patterns - usually 2-3 hours in the morning and evening. Flight paths randomised to ensure birds don’t habitualise to drone. Bird Control Payload programmed with over 10 different randomised bird deterrent sounds. SmartHanger™ – Avian Scout may be purchased for use or hired as a service to deter birds for a set period of time.
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
For more information contact David Skinner (sales@baskaerospace.com.au)
CASA Update Have you had your say yet? CASA’s RPAS team has drafted new rules for commercial and professional drone operators – and we want your feedback. The new rules are designed to improve safety and certainty. They create clear standards for training organisations and Australia’s first official syllabi for the remote pilot licence (RePL). They will also clarify requirements for operations in controlled and prescribed noncontrolled airspace, facilitate extended visual line of sight (EVLOS) operations and formalise recordkeeping and notification requirements. CASA often consults industry to find out if proposed new rules make sense and work on a practical level. Before the release of these draft rules, CASA’s RPAS team consulted internally and externally through a new technical working group, made up of representatives from CASA and the RPAS industry. Alterations and additions were then made before we released this final draft for public consultation.
The RPAS team also sent drafts of the training syllabus to certified RPAS training organisations. In terms of the development of training standards, these organisations were very supportive of our intended direction. All comments to the current consultation will be considered. Relevant feedback will be incorporated into the final ruling if it improves upon the proposed standards and is consistent with the regulations and other CASA policy. Also, your comments will help CASA decide how much time the industry will need to comply with any new rules. We have set a tentative date for the rules to come into force in the second quarter of 2019. This is to make sure industry has enough time to adapt to the new requirements. However, feedback from the consultation will help CASA decide adequate implementation and transition timeframes. The consultation asks for your opinion on the draft manual of standards (MOS) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR). MOS standards are legal rules that are authorised by regulation. When implemented, the MOS will harmonise and standardise some of the current conditions on RPAS operator certificates. This will provide a benchmark for operators and for CASA surveillance and auditing purposes. However, CASA understands regulations can be difficult to read. So, we have made it easier for you to have your say. We have drawn up a list of different audiences with the questions that may be of particular interest to each. You can decide how many or how few of the questions you want to answer. Also, each question will include a link to the relevant section of the MOS so you don't have to read the entire legal document. The consultation closes on 18 November 2018.
AAUS working for you AAUS is represented on many committees that influence important outcomes for the unmanned systems industry. Activities this month have included representation at: Aviation Safety Advisory Panel Technical Working Group - RPAS - Part 101 MOS: This technical working group was established to provide relevant technical expertise and industry sector insight for the analysis and review of the draft Civil Aviation Safety
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
Regulations (CASR) Part 101 Manual of Standards (MOS) prior to public consultation. We are now putting a response in relation to the public consultation phase for these new rules. Please contact greg.tyrrell@aaus.org.au if you have specific feedback that you would like us to include.
Aviation Safety Advisory Panel Technical Working Group - RPAS - Drone registration and operator accreditation system This TWG has been formed to consider the key principles for CASA’s drone registration and operator accreditation system. AAUS has been invited to participate and to provide relevant technical expertise and industry sector insight to provide advice on mandatory RPA registration in Australia, and the education course for recreational and excluded category RPA operators. This is based on CASA’s findings in its report ‘Review of aviation safety regulation of remotely piloted aircraft systems’ which outlined its policy statement on RPAS. Additionally, in July 2018 the Senate Committee released its report ‘Regulatory requirements that impact on the safe use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and associated systems’, with Recommendation 2 supporting drone registration and operator education and accreditation.
Upcoming Events Aviation Law 101 for RPAS Operators
Run in partnership with Norton White Lawyers and QBE Insurance, these seminars ill focus on legal and liability issues facing RPAS organisations. Melbourne 25th October QBE Insurance 628 Bourke Street, Melbourne Perth Dates to be confirmed soon Limited seats available
Register now
AAUS Annual General Meeting, Tuesday November 20, 2018 AAUS will be holding our AGM 4pm -5pm 44 Lakeview Drive, Level 1, Training Room Scoresby VIC 3179 Followed by a catered BBQ & drinks outside on the terrace. All members welcome. RSVP 15th November, sally.burt@aaus.org.au
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
Exploring an Unmanned future Avalon 2019, February 25th -26th, 2019 Run over 2 days the conference will be held in The Pavilion at The Arts Centre, Melbourne and at Avalon 2019.
Monday 25th February - Full day conference at The Arts Centre, followed by a casual dinner at Left Bank Tuesday 26th February - Full day special presentations at Avalon 2019 (Industry days). More details available at https://aaus.org.au/exploring-anunmanned-future/
Drone Zone Downunder, March 13, 2019 DroneZone Downunder will operate from Friday 1 March to Sunday 3 March at the Australian International Airshow. The precinct will feature the latest in drone technology, drone pilot training, responsive drones & robotics, cameras and unmanned systems with a conference program supported by CASA and AAUS. More Information
Did you know... We have increased the number of bundle members in our Corporate membership categories as follows; Bronze 10 members Silver 15 members Gold 25 members Platinum 50 members We can update your team on your behalf simply email: sally.burt@aaus.org.au
Visual of the Month Submissions for AAUS 2019 drone photo
10/23/2018
OceanX Group Mail - AAUS Advocate October 2018
competition will be announced soon! If you would like to be considered for the Visual of the month please email sally.burt@aaus.org.au for further information
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