Australia G'Day from Australia

[dasko]

i received my email today and just over the $5200 mark , 29 hours quoted and 4 hours travel.
What VHF radio are you guys using in the test ?

 

[Lofty Visions]

I have an iCom A15 but they won't get you to use an actual radio on the test. They'll just ask you to simulate a radio call in a specific scenario.

 

[Peet05]

hey guys
how expensive are insurances to be fit for getting approved for a UOC?
what other costs am i up for ( radio, OUC cert etc?)
I have just booked for my controllers cert and ordered an inspire pro plus and accessories and intend to file for a UOC
(photography/cinematography, spotting, and all the fun things with a camera)
all this outgoing coin and I may end up in a divorce...

 

[Lofty Visions]

I just got quoted $2300 to insure my Inspire, Phantom, Osmo and all my gear. That's annually from ABS in Sydney Home - Austbrokers - Aviation Insurance | Aircraft Insurance | Pilot Insurance | Helicopter Insurance

 

[Peet05]

Thanks Lofty thats alot cheaper than what i had anticipated, do you need to be insured when you put the application in or just need to be insured before you fly?

 

[Lofty Visions]

Sorry it was actually $2135, which is even better!

You can't get insurance with ABS until you have your UCC and your UOC, and I don't believe there is a requirement to have insurance once you're up and running, but obviously it'd be advisable

 

[Ezookiel]

Simon Hooper at QBE does the insurance for Overall Photography's UAV business. Apparently they've never been able to get anyone to beat it, so must be pretty good.
Just his firstname.surname at qbe dot com is all you should need to get hold of him.

 

[Lofty Visions]

Hey folks, found out a bit of interesting news this week. I applied to CASA for night time flying exemption and was told they are considering issuing a general exemption to all UOC holders for night flying, saving us $960! Here's a quote from the email:

"CASA is currently considering a general Night Operations Exemption for all UAV Operator Certificate (UOC) holders. It is anticipated that this will be finalised within 4-6 weeks. UOC holders wishing to exercise the privileges of this Exemption will be required to incorporate changes within their Operations manual. CASA will provide guidance on the changes required.

If you choose to wait for this general exemption to be finalised it will allow the UOC holder to utilise this privilege without any additional cost e.g applying to CASA for an Exemption. If you do not wish to wait until this is finalised we can proceed with your application and send you the Estimate for the job ($960). If you would like to proceed please keep in mind that Exemptions can take up to 6-8 weeks to finalise."

Can't grumble about that!

 

[Peet05]

"CASA is currently considering a general Night Operations Exemption for all UAV Operator Certificate (UOC) holders. It is anticipated that this will be finalised within 4-6 weeks. UOC holders wishing to exercise the privileges of this Exemption will be required to incorporate changes within their Operations manual. CASA will provide guidance on the changes required."

Can't grumble about that!

How much does it cost to amend an ops manual or do you reckon they will waiver the fee just for this change?
Either way its happy days.

 

[Lofty Visions]

Not sure how much but I don't think manual amendments cost a great deal. I guess we'll find out when they contact us

 

[Droneworxs]

I just got quoted $2300 to insure my Inspire, Phantom, Osmo and all my gear. That's annually from ABS in Sydney Home - Austbrokers - Aviation Insurance | Aircraft Insurance | Pilot Insurance | Helicopter Insurance

I might be able to get you a better deal as my partner is in Insurance Mine was $1600 for everything .

 

[Lofty Visions]

I might be able to get you a better deal as my partner is in Insurance Mine was $1600 for everything .

Hi Tony

Thanks that'd be great as I haven't got it sorted yet due to the cost. I did try Simon and QBE but they were the same price but only included public liability and hull cover for my Inspire, not the extra equipment and my Phantom. Would be interested to learn more. Cheers, John

 

[southerndoug]

CASA assessment next week. I was expecting April... Quietly panicking! Any advice from those who have already been through the process??

 

[cycoptic]

I might be able to get you a better deal as my partner is in Insurance Mine was $1600 for everything .

Hi , i am in the same boat chasing insurance , could i get the contact details ?
Thanks
Cheers.

 

[aerobrace]

CASA assessment next week. I was expecting April... Quietly panicking! Any advice from those who have already been through the process??

Just paid the application fee for the UOC last week. How long is the wait nowadays?

 

[Lofty Visions]

CASA assessment next week. I was expecting April... Quietly panicking! Any advice from those who have already been through the process??

Hi Southerndoug. Have they sent you a copy of the flight assessment yet with all the exercises in? They should email you them so you can get out and practice them.

I did my assessment last December. Just remember to fly slow and consistent, be prepared to fly the exercises again in ATTI and he may get you do fly some scenarios depending on what services you've listed on your application. One I had to do for surveying was fly a manual grid and along an imaginary fence line, and for spotting a outwards facing manual orbit. Then for the verbal assessment know your manuals inside out, make sure you know the responsibilities of the chief controller and the maintenance controller, know your symbols, airspace etc for maps and of course the ERSA PRD areas. If you're AROC certified make sure you can do a role play radio call too. Don't stress, they are not there to grill you but help you to be safe. My assessor has been a great help since, especially when I have called him for advice on a job (Perth CBD). Good luck!

 

[southerndoug]

Hi Southerndoug. Have they sent you a copy of the flight assessment yet with all the exercises in? They should email you them so you can get out and practice them.

I did my assessment last December. Just remember to fly slow and consistent, be prepared to fly the exercises again in ATTI and he may get you do fly some scenarios depending on what services you've listed on your application. One I had to do for surveying was fly a manual grid and along an imaginary fence line, and for spotting a outwards facing manual orbit. Then for the verbal assessment know your manuals inside out, make sure you know the responsibilities of the chief controller and the maintenance controller, know your symbols, airspace etc for maps and of course the ERSA PRD areas. If you're AROC certified make sure you can do a role play radio call too. Don't stress, they are not there to grill you but help you to be safe. My assessor has been a great help since, especially when I have called him for advice on a job (Perth CBD). Good luck!

Thanks Lofty, appreciate your response. Yep I have the flight maneouvers, and have been practicing them. I'm not impressing myself with my flying at the moment! Also had two batteries turn up their toes the other day, so have another 2 on the way (geez they're expensive aren't they?). Will no doubt have to do a survey flight, and by the sounds of it a few ATTI orbits too. Will get on to them...

Have been getting up at 5 am before the kids get in the way to bone up on my manuals...

 

[Craig]

Hi southerndog,
Make sure you can fly well in atti mode, 90% of mine was in that and
blowing 10/15 knots. My final uoc
docs came through in December, quite a few submissions to get it right. Have your radio communication correct also.
Good luck.

 

[southerndoug]

So I passed! What a relief.
Interesting stuff came out of my assessment. My very overworked and somewhat jaded assessor mentioned blanket exemptions for all UOC holders are on the way, including night (as mentioned above by Lofty), within 30 m of people (but greater than 15m), and within 3 NM of an HLS or ALA, as long as appropriate training and procedural material is included in your Operational Library.
And three days prior to my assessment, I got an email from CASA saying my manual suite (which I spent about 1.5 months on) was based on out of date material (ie CASAs own template) and I should redo them using their new template, which they kindly attached. I nearly wept. Anyway, did as required, and have probably saved about 10 hours on my assessment, so hopefully $1500 coming back. CASA are trying to speed things up, and the new template addresses most of the issues they have been seeing with submissions (compliance with CASR 101) while a new section called the Operational Library will address how your company will do things, ,including sections on each aircraft type you operate and maintain, as well as sections on normal and specialist operations.
There's also a newly drafted Part 101 coming out soon, which will include the ability to use sub 2kg RPA for commercial work without a UOC, but you will be required to register your intention to do so.

 

[southerndoug]

And another interesting observation from my CASA man: my Inspire has 34 trouble free hours on it. He said he'd only seen one other Inspire over 30 hours that hadn't had a failure of some kind.