Australian (CASA) rules for non commercial use.

[Doono]

Model aircraft
You should only fly a model aircraft in visual line-of-sight, in day visual meteorological conditions (VMC). What does that mean?
no night flying
no flying in or through cloud or fog, and
you should be able to see the aircraft with your own eyes (rather than through its point-of-view camera) at all times
You must not fly a model aircraft over populous areas such as beaches, other people's backyards, heavily populated parks, or sports ovals where there is a game in progress.
In controlled airspace, which covers most Australian cities, model aircraft must not be flown higher than 400 feet (120 metres)
You should not fly closer than 5.5km from an airfield.

This is CASA flyer

http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/m ... _model.pdf

 

[Doono]

Difference between RPAs and model aircraft

People have been flying model aircraft for many years. How are these different from the remotely piloted 'drones' we hear so much about?

From CASA's perspective, the difference between RPA and model aircraft is that RPA are used for commercial, government or research purposes and model aircraft are flown just for fun – for sport and recreation.

In other words, CASA classifies your unmanned aircraft by what you do with it.

 

[Meta4]

CASA is proposing amendments that sound like a rare case of common sense being allowed.
http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?W ... =PC_102028
The key changes proposed seem to be ....

CASA has conducted a risk assessment for small RPA of 2 kilograms and below and has established that such RPA have a very low kinetic energy, pose very little risk to aviation and have a low potential for harm to people and property on the ground and other airspace users. This risk based framework has determined that the operation of small RPA will maintain an acceptable level of safety due to the reduced level of risk posed by the low weight and the imposition of a strict set of operating conditions.

CASA’s preferred option for change
RPA of 2 kilograms and below have a very low kinetic energy, pose very little risk to aviation and have a low potential for harm to people and property on the ground and other airspace users, provided they are operated under the Standard RPA Operating Conditions.
Thus, CASA’s preferred option for change is Option 3 - Division of RPA by weight, where only RPA greater than 2 kilograms require a CASA approval.
CASA proposes that RPA of 2 kilograms and below will not require approval via a UOC, nor will the operator require an RP certificate when operating in standard RPA operating conditions only.

Standard RPA Operating Conditions:
• Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS). An operation in which the remote crew maintains direct visual contact with the RPA, only aided by spectacles or contact lenses (not binoculars or telescopes etc.) to manage its flight and meet separation and collision avoidance requirements
• Less than 400 feet above ground level (AGL) and over water
• In non-populous areas, including more than 30 metres from any person not directly involved in the operation of the RPA
• Day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC), i.e., day time operations only
• Outside of controlled airspace (OCTA), including outside of prohibited and restricted areas
• Greater than 3NM (5 kms) from an aerodrome boundary.

Does this mean that when/if the changes are approved that legal commercial use of a Phantom is possible?
I hope so.