As the drone industry continues to grow, many people are discovering new opportunities in drone jobs such as drone photography, aerial surveillance, agricultural operations, and drone surveying. Whether you're looking to enter these fields or already working in it, understanding the different drone categories and their associated regulations is crucial.
At Uncrewed Aviation Australia, we specialise in expert drone training courses that equip aspiring drone pilots with the necessary knowledge and skill required in their industry.
In this post, we will walk you through how to choose the right drone based on its weight class, the features of the drone, and the types of operations you want to conduct.
Categories of Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
CASA has specific classifications for drones and Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA), which determine the activities and operations you are allowed to conduct. These classifications depend on three factors:
- Activity and Location: Where and how you intend to operate your drone.
- Weight of the RPA (drone): Drones are classified by their weight, which dictates the type of operations you can perform and whether special certification is required.
- Qualifications, Accreditation/Licensing, and Certification: Depending on the weight and operation, different qualifications may be required to fly your drone for business or recreational purposes.
| Drone Categories Based on Weight |
|---|
Micro: 250 grams or less |
Very Small: More than 250 grams, but no more than 2kg |
Small (Excluded Category): More than 2kg, but no more than 25kg |
Medium (Excluded Category): More than 25kg, but not more than 150kg |
If you operate a drone without the appropriate qualifications, operator accreditation, or if it is unregistered, you could face penalties. It is essential to understand your drone's classification and the rules surrounding each category to ensure safe and legal operations. Let’s break down these categories and what type of drone best fits:
1. Micro RPA Category:
Overview: The Micro category includes drones that weigh 250 grams or less. These drones are lightweight, portable, and perfect for hobbyists or beginners. Since they are small and lightweight, they have fewer regulatory requirements and are often used for basic commercial tasks, recreational flying, and aerial photography.
CASA Guidelines for Micro RPAs:
- Drones must weigh 250 grams or less.
- You don’t need a Remote Pilot License (RePL) or a Remote Pilot Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) to fly these drones for business purposes.
- You are still required to follow safety rules, including maintaining line of sight, avoiding no-fly zones, and not flying over crowds.
Example Drones in the Micro Category:
- DJI Mini 2 – Weighing just 249 grams, the DJI Mini 2 is an ideal choice for beginner drone pilots looking to explore drone photography and videography.
- DJI Mini 3 – This lightweight drone offers enhanced flight time and camera features, making it perfect for capturing aerial shots in recreational and commercial photography.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro – Slightly upgraded from its predecessors, the Mini 4 Pro offers advanced features such as obstacle sensors, making it suitable for professional-grade photography and mapping in the Micro RPA category.
Applications of Micro Drones:
2. Very Small Excluded Category RPA:
Overview: The Very Small category covers drones that weigh more than 250 grams but not more than 2 kg. These drones offer greater power, camera capabilities, and flight duration compared to Micro drones. You can use them for a range of business and commercial operations, such as drone surveying, aerial surveillance, and photography, while still benefiting from minimal regulatory requirements.
CASA Guidelines for Very Small RPAs (Excluded Category):
- Drones must weigh more than 250 grams but not exceed 2 kg.
- You do not need a RePL or a ReOC to fly these drones for business or commercial purposes, which is why this category is sometimes referred to as the Sub-2kg Excluded Category.
- These drones can be flown over your own land without the need for certification, provided you follow safety regulations.
Examples of Businesses in the Very Small, Excluded Category:
- Photographers and Filmmakers – Aerial shots for real estate, weddings, and promotional content.
- Real Estate Agents – Using drones to capture dynamic aerial images of properties for sale.
- Researchers – Collecting data or images from difficult-to-reach areas.
- Construction Workers & Tradespeople – Inspecting rooftops, structures, and other hard-to-reach places.
Example Drones in the Very Small Category:
- DJI Air 2S – With a 1-inch sensor and 5.4K camera, the DJI Air 2S offers excellent image quality for professional drone photography, especially for real estate or construction inspections.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – Known for its great portability and camera capabilities, the Mini 3 Pro is widely used for commercial aerial photography and inspections in small businesses.
- Autel Robotics EVO Nano+ – A compact and powerful drone, the EVO Nano+ offers 4K camera capabilities and is perfect for filmmakers and photographers working in the field.
Applications of Very Small Drones:
3. Small Excluded Category:
Overview: The Small category is made up of drones that weigh more than 2 kg but not more than 25 kg. These drones are used for more complex commercial operations, including large-scale aerial surveillance, agriculture operations, and surveying. They can carry heavier payloads and offer greater endurance, making them suited for long-duration tasks.
CASA Guidelines for Small RPAs (Excluded Category):
- Drones must weigh more than 2 kg but not more than 25 kg.
- You can operate these drones over your own land for business purposes without needing a RePL or ReOC, provided you are not accepting payment for the service. This is referred to as the Landowner Excluded Category.
- Common operations in this category include agricultural inspections, land surveying, and crop monitoring.
Example Drones in the Small Category:
- DJI Mavic 3 Classic – A professional-grade drone, the Mavic 3 Classic offers impressive image quality and long flight times, making it perfect for surveying large properties or conducting inspections.
- DJI M30T – A powerful drone used for surveying, mapping, and industrial-grade inspections in construction, agriculture, and mining.
- Autel Robotics EVO II Pro – With a 6K camera and extended battery life, this drone is widely used in surveying and agriculture for high-definition imaging and crop analysis.
| Examples of Operations Under the Small Category: |
|---|
Aerial Spotting |
Crop, Livestock, or Equipment Inspections |
Land Surveying |
Agriculture Operations |
4. Medium Category: Industrial Drones for Large-Scale Operations:
Overview: The Medium category includes drones that weigh more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg. These are high-performance drones used in industrial operations, such as large-scale agriculture, mining, infrastructure inspections, and cargo transport. Due to their size and capabilities, they require special licensing and operator certifications.
CASA Guidelines for Medium RPAs (Excluded Category):
- Drones must weigh more than 25 kg but not exceed 150 kg.
- These drones can only be flown over your own land, and you must have the appropriate operator accreditation and safety procedures in place.
Example Drones in the Medium Category:
- DJI Agras T50 – A heavy-duty agricultural drone used for crop spraying and precision farming, the DJI Agras T50 is ideal for large farming operations.
- Parrot Anafi USA – With advanced thermal imaging and 4K capabilities, this drone is perfect for infrastructure inspections and surveying large industrial sites.
- senseFly eBee X – A fixed-wing drone used for large-scale surveying, especially in agriculture and mining, the eBee X is capable of covering vast areas efficiently.
Applications of Medium Drones:
Conclusion:
Whether you’re planning to enter the world of drone photography, drone surveying, agricultural operations, or aerial surveillance, choosing the right drone for your needs will not only help you stay within legal boundaries but also set you up for success in your chosen field. Selecting the correct drone based on its weight class and features is essential for maximising its potential and achieving optimal results in your operations.
A drone’s weight directly impacts its capabilities, such as flight time, payload capacity, camera quality, and range. For instance, smaller drones in the Micro or Very Small categories are ideal for simple aerial photography or hobbyist use, while larger drones in the Small or Medium categories are better suited for professional applications like surveying, infrastructure inspections, and agricultural operations.
If you're ready to take your drone operations to the next level, contact Uncrewed Aviation Australia today. Our comprehensive training and professional guidance will ensure you’re well-prepared to enter the exciting world of drone jobs and operations. Start your journey with us and become a skilled, certified drone pilot ready to take on a wide range of commercial drone activities.
