(1) The remote pilot (the pilot) must only operate the RPA, in the RPA operation, in an operating area.(2) The pilot must:(a) if the pilot is an RPA operator — be registered, using a relevant app, to be authorised to operate the RPA in the operating area during a period notified to the pilot on the app; or(b) if the pilot is a member of an RPA operator’s personnel — ensure that the operator has registered, using a relevant app, to be authorised to operate the RPA in the operating area during a period notified to the operator on the app.(3) The pilot must, during the RPA operation, comply with any operating limitations, relevant to the operation, which are notified to the pilot or RPA operator, as applicable, on the relevant app in relation to the registration mentioned in subsection (2).(4) The pilot must operate a very small RPA, or small RPA, in the RPA operation.(5) The pilot must conduct the RPA operation only as an aerial work operation.(6) Subsection (7) applies if the pilot may, under the approval under section 5 of CASA 01/17 – Approval – operation of RPA at night, operate an RPA, other than a large RPA, at night.Note As far as is relevant, under subregulation 101.095(1) of CASR, a person may operate an unmanned aircraft at night only if permitted by another provision of Part 101 of CASR, or in accordance with an ATC direction. Under subregulation 101.095(1A) of CASR, subregulation (1) does not apply if the person holds an approval under regulation 101.029 of CASR for the purposes of subregulation (1A).(7) Despite the approval, the pilot must not, during the RPA operation, operate the RPA at night.(8) The pilot must, during the RPA operation:(a) subject to subsection (9), take reasonable steps to ensure that:(i) reliable VHF coverage exists in the operating area, which would allow the pilot to communicate with ATC; and(ii) a listening watch is maintained on the relevant ATC frequency for the operating area, from 15 minutes before the start of a flight of the RPA until the RPA has landed at the end of the flight; and(b) take reasonable steps to ensure that reliable mobile phone coverage exists in the operating area; and(c) comply with any ATC direction in relation to the operation.Examples For paragraph (c), the ATC direction could be to temporarily move the location of the operation within the operating area or temporarily cease the operation.(9) Paragraph (8)(a) does not apply if the pilot is operating the RPA within 100 metres laterally from, and below, an obstacle, other than an aircraft.(10) Subsection (11) applies if the pilot:(a) holds an approval, under regulation 101.029 of CASR, to operate an RPA beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight, for the purposes of subregulation 101.073(2) of CASR; orNote Under subregulation 101.073(1) of CASR, a person commits an offence of strict liability if the person operates an unmanned aircraft, and the aircraft is not operated within the person’s visual line of sight.(b) may, under an exemption under section 4 of the CASA EX63/26 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight Exemption 2026, operate an RPA beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight; or(c) meets the requirements stated in subregulation 101.300(4) of CASR, allowing the pilot to operate an RPA beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight.Note Under subregulation 101.300(4) of CASR, it is a condition of a remote pilot licence that an RPA must be operated within the visual line of sight of the licence holder unless the holder meets stated requirements.(11) Despite the approval or exemption, or meeting the requirements, as applicable, the pilot must not, during the RPA operation, operate the RPA beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight.(12) Subsection (13) applies if:(a) the pilot holds an approval, under regulation 101.029 of CASR, to operate more than 1 RPA at a time, for the purposes of subregulation 101.300(5) of CASR; orNote Under subregulation 101.300(5) of CASR, it is a condition of a remote pilot licence that the licence holder must not operate more than 1 RPA at a time unless the holder holds an approval under regulation 101.029 of CASR to operate more than 1 RPA at a time, and the conditions (if any) imposed on the approval are complied with.(b) the pilot may under an authorisation (however it is called), or exemption, granted under CASR operate more than 1 RPA at a time, for the purposes of paragraph 8(2)(b) of CASA 20/25.(13) Despite the approval, authorisation, or exemption, as applicable, the pilot must not, during the RPA operation, operate more than 1 RPA at a time.(14) If during the RPA operation, the RPA leaves the operating area, whether or not under the pilot’s control, the pilot must notify ATC of the event immediately after the happening of the event.(15) The pilot must not transmit on the relevant ATC frequency for the operating area, during the RPA operation, unless:(a) directed by ATC to do so; or(b) the pilot does so to give a notification to ATC under subsection (14).(16) The pilot must, during the RPA operation, ensure the RPA is equipped and operated with an active fail-safe mode that will ensure, in the event of a data-link loss between the RPA and its associated remote pilot station during a flight of the RPA, the RPA will:(a) adjust its altitude to the minimum safe level, to provide obstacle clearance and the minimum potential for collision with other aircraft; and(b) transit to a pre-defined safe landing area or flight termination area; and(c) land or otherwise end the flight.(17) Unless directed by ATC to do so, the pilot must not, during the RPA operation, activate:(a) any transponder fitted to the RPA; or(b) the transmission of ADS-B position information by the RPA.(18) If there is an inconsistency between the relevant RPA operator’s documented practices and procedures and a direction under this section, the pilot must comply with the direction.Note 1 Subsection (18) applies despite the statement in the relevant RPA operator’s documented practices and procedures, which is required under paragraph 1.04(3)(f) of the Part 101 Manual of Standards to be included in the documented practices and procedures.Note 2 Under regulation 101.245 of CASR, the pilot must not operate the RPA within 30 metres of a person who is not directly associated with the RPA operation, unless subregulation 101.245(2), (3) or (5) of CASR applies in relation to the operation.Note 3 Under subregulation 101.280(2) of CASR, the pilot must not operate the RPA over a populous area at a height less than the height from which, if any of its components fails, it would be able to clear the area, unless subsection 5(3) of the CASA EX45/24 — Operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Over Populous Area Exemption 2024 applies in relation to the RPA operation.Note 4 Under subsection 7(1) of CASA 20/25, the pilot is directed to ensure that the RPA is not operated in, or over, another person’s safety zone (as described in subsection 7(2) of CASA 20/25), unless the other person has duties essential to the control or navigation of the RPA, or paragraph 7(3)(a) or (b) of CASA 20/25 applies in relation to the RPA operation.Note 5 Under subsection 6(1) of CASA 20/25, the pilot is directed not to operate the RPA over an area where a fire, police, or other public safety or emergency, operation is being conducted, unless subsection 6(2) of CASA 20/25 applies in relation to the RPA operation.