Tag: Compliance

Enhance your Part 101 Drone Operations

Part 101 Drone operations – Operating drones under the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) rule Part 101 offers flexibility and ease for many pilots and organisations. Basic operations, such as flying small drones below 400ft AGL during the day with landowner consent, generally do not require CAA approvals. However, as an RPA operator, you have an overarching obligation to minimise hazards to persons, property and other aircraft.

Even if an operator complies with all rules, the responsibility to ensure safe operations remains. Operators must proactively take all practicable steps to minimise hazards to persons, property, and other aircraft. This involves meticulous flight planning and thorough consideration of potential hazards. If you are a business carrying out RPA operations, you also have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and other acts (e.g. Accident Compensation Act, Employment Relations Act and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act) to ensure you take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers and any other persons who may be affected by your operations.

Complying with all relevant rules and maintaining detailed records can be challenging. Fortunately, there are documents, processes, and tools available to help your organisation elevate RPA operations to industry best practices and be able to prove it to your clients and other stakeholders.

Developing an Operations Manual

Although Part 101 does not mandate a formal risk management process, developing and using one can significantly enhance safety and demonstrate compliance. A comprehensive Operations Manual is an excellent starting point, including sections on:
● Concept of Operations (CONOPS): Detailing what you are doing and how you are going to do it.
● Locations: actual locations or types of locations used in the operation.
● Risk Management: Processes for identifying hazards and managing associated risk.
● Hazard Register: Documenting known and potential hazards to people, property, and other aircraft.
● Risk Mitigation: Measures to manage identified risks.
● Reporting Procedures: For reporting events to the CAA and other external stakeholders as well as internal reporting requirements.
● Personnel Requirements: Licensing, training, and competency requirements.
● Aircraft Details: Specifications, identification systems, initial airworthiness standards and maintenance procedures.
● Inflight Procedures: Including non-normal procedures and emergency response plans.
● Stakeholder Engagement: Processes for obtaining consent and engaging with stakeholders.
● Record-Keeping: Procedures for maintaining thorough records.

Utilising Job/Operation and Compliance Management Tools

Many tools can help manage drone flights and operations effectively. One such tool is the AVCRM RPA Manager, which supports job planning, pilot training, checklist management, and risk register maintenance all in one place. It integrates multiple data sources, providing quick access to operational information like New Zealand airspace designations and relevant rules for RPAS operations under Part 101.

The AVCRM RPA Manager is designed to improve efficiency in RPAS operations both in the office and in the field. Mission planning, safety and risk assessments are easily completed in a responsive web-based platform that improves operator situational awareness, ensures appropriate equipment and personnel are being deployed and gives live management oversight and intervention as required. AVCRM uses an ICAO standard Safety Management System, which not only caters to standard risk assessments and safety reporting but also integrates modules to allow effortless attachment of associated mission plans, job safety assessments, and other relevant data into your safety reporting.

AVCRM is connected to multiple data sources, giving quick access to operational information, including New Zealand airspace designations, aerodrome and heliport locations, special use airspace, conservation and national park areas, district council areas, radio frequencies, high tension power lines and much more. The Smart Airspace Calculator shows you only the airspace and data layers relevant to your planned mission location and height as well as displaying the relevant rules and advisories for Part 101 drone operations.

Preparing for Part 102 Operations

Professionalising your Part 101 operations can also prepare you for Part 102 operations. If you plan to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), at night, over large groups of people, above 400ft AGL, or with aircraft above 25kg, you will need a Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operators Certificate (UAOC) from the CAA. The documentation and processes developed for Part 101 can form the foundation of your Part 102 UAOC application.

Navigating the complexities of drone regulations and ensuring safe operations requires a proactive approach. Defining your CONOPS and utilising tools like AVCRM RPA Manager can enhance your Part 101 operations, ensuring safety and compliance. To assist you further, Hover offers regulatory packages and free 30-minute consultations to help you get started.

Get in Touch

If you would like to find out more, please contact our NZ Operational Lead Nick Jackson or book a free 30-minute chat to discuss your operational needs.