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CASA has launched a nationwide drone safety campaign to educate new and existing operators ahead of Christmas.
The aviation safety watchdog says there are currently around 1.8 million drone users in Australia, with millions more expected to buy or receive their first drone over the next year. Its ad campaign, which rolled out on Sunday, includes social media, retail partners, digital video, and digital display.
According to CASA, the average recreational or sporting user gets eight out of 11 questions right on the Know Your Drone safety quiz.
“We encourage all drone operators, whether they have been flying for one day or a decade, to learn the drone safety rules before taking to the skies this Christmas,” said Sharon Marshall-Keeffe, acting manager of remotely piloted aircraft systems operations at CASA.
“It’s incredibly important that recreational drone operators understand the safety rules and fly their drones responsibly to keep themselves and others safe.
“While most drone operators are doing the right thing, we want to make sure that newcomers, and people who may have been flying for a little while longer, understand the safety rules and the requirements of being a responsible drone flyer.”
CASA partners with retail outlets such as JB Hi-Fi to get information about drone safety into customers’ hands at the point of purchase. A spokesperson for the electronics chain said every drone it sells comes with CASA safety material.
“We recognise the importance of our customers getting the right information on sharing the air, and that’s why JB Hi-Fi supports the Know Your Drone campaign,” a spokesperson said.
“We display the yellow and black drone safety advocate symbol in our JB Hi-Fi stores and on our website. We also include safety information with each drone to help customers be responsible drone owners.”
