On 6-8th August, 15 participants from PASO Member States took part in a 3- day professional training course titled ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – Introduction to Regulations and Operator Conduct’ at Massey University School of Aviation. The School is a NZ CAA part 149 certified training organization with significant expertise in RPAS regulation and safety management.

The course participants included Senior Officials such as Directors of Civil Aviation and a Secretary of Transport, as well as subject matter experts from 9 of the 10 PASO States.

Course participants enjoyed the materials as well as the hands on elements. The course covered an overview of New Zealand’s part 101 and 102 rules, as well as exercises that allowed participants to understand operators’ responsibilities with regards to those rules. Finally, on the third day participants had the change to operate drones themselves, in Massey’s on-campus training facilities.

The course is a great starting point for PASO Members to strengthen understanding of drone regulation under NZ Aviation Rules. With World Bank funding, PASO has recently contracted a consultancy – AvLaw Pty. Ltd. led by Prof Ron Bartsch – to look at a harmonized rules for the Pacific. The course at Massey University equipped participants with the knowledge to actively participate in the development of such rules.

The RPAS course  was made possible with support from the World Bank Reform project, under the Civil Aviation Strengthening program, which funds technical training for PASO Member States.

The next course funded under this program is the ICAO Risk Management Workshop, Nadi, Fiji, 22-25 October 2019.