Friendly reminder 
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/warnings-issued-over-christmas-drones/news-story/0c5be894245da7613dfa6c15c483bef1
Hi D4D,
Sad they need to do that (i wish people would apply common sense), but as a point of fact there are a number of inaccuracies. I know they are trying to keep it simple but they should stick to the facts. It's like saying that we should all drive 40km/h in a school zone, even when it's not in effect or even in the school zones but everywhere.... Just to keep it simple.... Sound good or are we dumbing it down too much... Dumb it down and then expect people to be dumb.....
First Inaccuracy - Night flying is allowed if following MAAA or AMAS guidelines.... No requirement to belong to the organisation.
101.390 Operating model aircraft at night
&
101.385 Visibility for operation of model aircraft
No 30m rule for buildings, there is an item for a failure, it has to avoid hitting a building in a populous area. That pretty much means dont fly over a building that you dont own. Unless you know the failure modes really well dont fly in your street or backyard, stick to a park (unless it's so light it is really unlikely to damage the building). There is a 30m rule for people.
101.055 Hazardous operation prohibited
400ft limit only applies if within 3nm of a Aerodrome or Helipad or in Controlled airspace (this really doesnt cover most of the cities as claimed by CASA - it does cover most cities but at a height higher than 400ft). I've got two heli pads in my area after seeking clarification with CASA and Airservices Aus.
101.400 Operation of model aircraft outside approved areas -- This one says you can operate as a model aircraft higher than 400ft
101.075 Operation near aerodromes
101.070 Operation in controlled airspace
So in the majority of the cases the advice given by the regulator is in fact incorrect. I love that my tax dollars are being spent on telling me I can't do something that I'm allowed to do.
I'd rather they push the don't fly in the approach paths of airports, stay below 400ft if within 5km's of an airport / helipad, stay 30m away from people (think of it as a bubble) and avoid flying over people. That would be just as good as what they have said and been factually correct and in line with the regulations (and a lawful use of my tax dollars). I feel there should be a law which states that government agencies can only tell you something is against the law if it actually is.....
CASA brushed my question I put to them about these inaccuracies. They answered all of my other questions quite well and we had some back and forth to confirm my understandings.
Chris
