Australia's CASA to Refine Drone Airworthiness Guidance Based on Consultation Feedback
Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has published a consultation summary on draft airworthiness guidance under the Australian Specific Operational Risk Assessment (AusSORA) framework. Stakeholders broadly supported the guidance direction but called for clearer evidence standards, flexible compliance pathways, and practical support materials. CASA confirmed it will maintain a risk-based, proportionate approach scaled to SAIL levels while making targeted refinements.
Highlights
- CASA released a consultation summary on 30 June covering stakeholder feedback on draft drone airworthiness guidance under the AusSORA framework.
- Industry respondents broadly supported the annex's direction but called for clearer acceptable-evidence standards, flexible compliance pathways, and practical tools such as templates and checklists.
- CASA confirmed that SAIL III and IV requirements are not intended to replicate traditional type certification rigour, maintaining a risk-based, proportionate approach.
- The airworthiness annex targets drone designers, manufacturers, operators, system integrators, engineers, and consultants involved in AusSORA compliance preparation.
- CASA will proceed with the guidance on schedule while making targeted refinements in response to industry consultation feedback.
Australia's CASA to Refine Drone Airworthiness Guidance Based on Consultation Feedback
Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has released its latest consultation summary covering stakeholder feedback on a draft airworthiness annex developed under the Australian Specific Operational Risk Assessment (AusSORA) framework for drone operations.
Who the Annex Is For
The annex is primarily aimed at those involved in preparing compliance documentation for AusSORA applications, including drone designers, manufacturers, operators, system integrators, engineers, and consultants. It forms part of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility Regulatory Roadmap.
Broad Industry Support, but Calls for Clearer Guidance
Consultation results show that respondents generally supported the annex's overall direction and its alignment with the AusSORA framework, while calling for more practical and actionable guidance.
Feedback from industry centred on three main areas:
- Clear standards for acceptable evidence: Respondents urged CASA to specify what forms of evidence meet compliance requirements
- Flexible compliance pathways: Industry requested a range of options for demonstrating compliance rather than a single prescribed route
- Practical support materials: Including worked examples, templates, and checklists
CASA's Response: Risk-Based Principles to Be Maintained
Some respondents expressed concern that ambiguous evidence requirements could push operators toward overly conservative implementation approaches. Others suggested that requirements for SAIL III and IV operations might approach the rigour of traditional type certification.
In response, CASA stated on 30 June that the annex is designed to remain risk-based and proportionate, with requirements scaled according to SAIL level and robustness expectations. CASA emphasised: "Higher SAIL levels will attract greater airworthiness expectations, but this is not intended to replicate the rigour of type certification, particularly for SAIL IV and below."
Guidance to Proceed with Targeted Refinements
Given the broad stakeholder support for the annex, CASA confirmed the guidance will proceed as planned, with targeted refinements made in response to industry feedback.
Image credit: CASA
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