Recreational purpose Radio Control vehicles began to gain popularity as early as the 1950s, however, until the invention and proliferation of the transistor, remained vastly limited due to battery capacities at the time.

In the late 1960s, mass production of RC cars began, along with the first scale model airplanes. In 1968, Dr. Dieter Schluter, an engineer from West Germany, built the first fully controllable RC model helicopter. Over the next three decades significant advancements in RC model materials and components such as gyroscopes, accelerometers and batteries, brought new and more versatile platforms into the sky.

The development of Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries and Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam has allowed for lighter weights, longer flight times and increased durability. Low flying speeds and rear-mounted propeller(s) also made RC aircraft less dangerous when crashing into a person or property. Never before has it been possible to gain access to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and begin flying within minutes of the purchase. Now, with the cost of a small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) at around $500, the number of users around the world continues to increase.

As the number of people using UAVs has increased, as has concerns regarding public safety. Regulators across the world have had to either propose or update regulations regarding both the commercial and recreational sectors. In Australia, no commercial benefit is to be obtained from operating a RC model aircraft (UAV/sUAS), unless you have an Unmanned Operator’s Certificate, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Any YouTube account holder who receives payments for allowing an advertisement to be played prior and/or during their aerial videos should beware.

In January 2015, a Queensland UAV pilot received an $850 fine from CASA (for flying over a populous area) after uploading a video of the flight on YouTube. According to a spokesperson for CASA, Peter Gibson, fines can sit anywhere from $850 for minor infringements, right through to $8,000 for “reckless operations”. Last year, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was returning to base from the John Hunter Hospital, when at around 10pm it spotted lights at 1000 feet (a UAV) and was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

We’ve created this flyer to promote the basic rules for safe recreational flights, and to help pilots fly safely. Please download, print, post, email, tweet about and/or distribute this safety information as much as you like.

If you are someone intending on using a UAV (for commercial or economic reward) it is extremely important that you ensure your chosen Operator holds current CC’s (UAV Controllers Certificates) and a valid UOC (Unmanned Operators Certificate), issued by CASA, before organising any aerial work.

For more information please visit www.casa.gov.au/rpa