Definitions

Accident 

An occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of an unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the purpose of flight until such time it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down, in which:

a)  a person is fatally or seriously injured because of: 

• being in the aircraft, or,

• direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached from the aircraft, or,

• direct exposure to jet blast, except when the injuries are from natural causes, self-inflicted or inflicted by other persons, or when the injuries are to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to the passengers and crew; or 

b)  the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component, except for engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited to a single engine (including its cowlings or accessories), to propellers, wing tips, antennas, probes, vanes, tyres, brakes, wheels, fairings, panels, landing gear doors, windscreens, the aircraft skin (such as small dents or puncture holes) or minor damages to main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, landing gear, and those resulting from hail or bird strike (including holes in the radome); or

c)  the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.

Accountable Manager

A nominated person who has the authority to ensure that all activities are carried out per the applicable requirements and regulations. The Accountable Manager is also responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective Management System.

Assembly of people

Gatherings where persons are unable to move away due to the density of the people present.

Concept of Operations 

Describes the characteristics of the organisation, system, operations, and the objectives of the user.

Maximum Take-Off Mass

This MTOM is the maximum mass defined by the manufacturer or the builder, in the case of privately built UAS, which ensures the controllability and mechanical resistance of the UA when flying within operational limits.

The MTOM should include all the elements on board the UA:

(a) all the structural elements of the UA.

(b) the motors.

(c) the propellers, if installed.

(d) all the electronic equipment and antennas.

(e) the batteries and the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and all fluids; and

(f) the heaviest payload allowed by the manufacturer, including sensors and their ancillary equipment.

Night

The hours between the end of civil evening twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.

Operational Authorisation

A document issued by the CAA that authorises the operation of an unmanned aircraft system, subject to the conditions outlined within the authorisation, having considered the operational risks involved.

Remote Pilot

A natural person is responsible for safely conducting the flight of an unmanned aircraft by operating its flight controls, either manually or, when the unmanned aircraft flies automatically, by monitoring its course and remaining able to intervene and change the course at any time.

Reportable Occurrence

Any incident which endangers or which, if not corrected, would endanger an aircraft, its occupants, or any other person.

Serious Incident

An incident involving circumstances indicating that there was a high probability of an accident and associated with the operation of an aircraft which, in the case of an unmanned aircraft, takes place between the time the aircraft is ready to move with the purpose of flight until such time it comes to rest at the end of the flight and the primary propulsion system is shut down.

Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

Any aircraft operating or designed to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely without a pilot on board.

Unmanned Aircraft observer

A person, positioned alongside the remote pilot, who, by unaided visual observation of the unmanned aircraft, assists the remote pilot in keeping the unmanned aircraft in VLOS and safely conducting the flight.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

An unmanned aircraft and the equipment to control it remotely.

UAS Operator 

Any legal or natural person operating or intending to operate one or more UAS.

Uninvolved Persons

Persons who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS operator.

Visual Line-Of-Sight 

A type of UAS operation in which the remote pilot can maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft, allowing the remote pilot to control the flight path of the unmanned aircraft in relation to other aircraft, people and obstacles for the purpose of avoiding collisions.