Latest news with #CivilAviationSafetyAuthority
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Gold Coast balloon operators address photos appearing to show them floating right next to buildings
Imagine waking up to see a giant balloon just outside your window. Hot air balloons floating over some of Australia's most beautiful tourist spots have long been a breathtaking attraction for locals and tourists alike. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today However, questions around safety and permit compliance have recently stirred debate on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with some residents concerned about how close the balloons fly to high-rise buildings. Pictures sent to 7NEWS show two balloons, each carrying a basket-load of tourists, soaring close to the city's high-rises, sparking questions about whether they're too close for comfort. 'I know there are photos that look like we're super close — we're not — we're a very safe distance away from them,' said Murray Blyth, the director and chief pilot of Go Ballooning on the Gold Coast. Blyth the images had been sent to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), who confirmed 'everything is above board.' The balloon business has been navigating some uncertainty, partly stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. 'There was a miscommunication breakdown between COVID and now,' Blyth said. During the pandemic, the company was given an exemption and did not have to pay for permits, but this led to confusion over operating without permits in recent times. Gold Coast City Council spokesman Dan Doran acknowledged the issue. 'I couldn't live with myself if something happened and I was aware there weren't any permits in place, so it's simply about getting permits in place,' he said. Blyth confirmed the company's permits had been sorted and paid for this week. Council will continue to investigate compliance issues and concerns about where balloons take off and land, particularly in relation to residential areas. 'We are fully licensed through CASA.,' Blyth emphasised. 'What we did this morning was perfectly compliant. 'We didn't break any rules or regulations. 'We were well clear of all buildings.' Hot air ballooning remains an important business for the Gold Coast's tourism industry, providing visitors with a unique view of the city skyline and hinterland. Passengers have spoken warmly of their experience. 'It was an amazing flight I will remember my whole life,' one tourist said. Another described it as 'an uplifting morning.'
The Guardian
22-07-2025
- The Guardian
Could my power bank start a fire on board a plane? Here are the rules and the risks
Virgin Australia says it is considering changes to its rules around lithium batteries after a fire on a flight from Sydney was thought to have been caused by a power bank in a passenger's carry-on luggage. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) has said the average passenger travels with at least four rechargeable lithium battery devices, which can be contained in smartphones, laptops and portable power banks. If you're wondering what the rules are, and why lithium-ion batteries are considered a risk on flights, here's a quick overview. Yes. But rules vary, so you should check the airline's restrictions before you fly. Generally, laptops and cameras can be packed in checked luggage as long as they are completely switched off, according to Casa. But spare batteries and power banks should only go into carry-on baggage because batteries and power banks can short circuit, overheat and catch fire during a flight. Lithium-ion batteries that exceed 160Wh are not permitted at all, unless they are used for mobility aids. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Smart bags with power banks or lithium-ion batteries are allowed as long as the battery can be removed before check-in and carried in a passenger's cabin baggage. Virgin Australia says any spare or loose batteries, including power banks, must be in carry-on baggage only and must be protected by placing them in their original retail packaging, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch, or taping over exposed terminals. Qantas says passengers travelling with power banks, including Apple AirPod cases, and spare or loose batteries, must only take them in carry-on baggage. The airline says it does not recommend the use or charging of power banks onboard due to safety. Several international airlines have banned the use of power banks on board, including Thai Airways, South Korean Airlines, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines and its budget subsidiary, Scoot. If you're flying with an international carrier, you should check its rules before your flight. Generally, passengers are required to pack their power banks in their carry-on luggage. But whether they can be used on the plane depends on the specific airline. Not necessarily. Prof Neeraj Sharma, a battery expert at the University of New South Wales, says lithium-ion batteries can have 20 different components, some of which are liquids, making them more volatile than other, solid parts such as the electrodes or casing. Applying pressure to a lithium-ion battery can lead to 'thermal runaway' – an uncontrollable increase in temperature – but a battery exploding is incredibly rare. Sharma says airlines still instruct people to carry batteries in their hand luggage as a way to mitigate risk, because there is a minimal pressure difference in a plane cabin compared to the baggage hold. Sharma says power banks and other lithium-ion battery devices that aren't as well regulated as mobile phones or laptops – such as e-scooters and vapes – pose more of a risk and may have lower quality batteries. Prof Amanda Ellis, the head of the University of Melbourne's School of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, says lithium battery fires aren't more likely on planes. She says airline cabin pressure wouldn't get to the batteries because they are covered by 'multiple layers of casing' but any enclosed environment makes fires particularly dangerous, especially as a plane can't be evacuated mid-air. 'They give off a very toxic gas and in a confined space that's not ideal,' she says. Ellis says lithium-ion battery fires are difficult to extinguish because often the lithium metal catches on fire, along with all the casing and the plastic – high energy materials that can burn for much longer. 'You wouldn't want to put water on a lithium fire. And that's the first thing people [on a plane] might think of doing.' The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. Ellis says a common cause is from people overcharging their batteries, so they overheat, which results in thermal runaway. If there's too much energy in the battery, it can crack, causing the highly flammable electrolyte inside it to burst into flames when exposed to air. She says phones and other, more sophisticated lithium battery-powered devices have an internal 'trickle system' which slowly adds current into the battery to prevent overcharging. But cheaper power banks typically don't have this safeguard, Ellis says, making them more of a risk. 'Never charge your power bank overnight,' she says. 'Never charge it more than it has to be charged. In a way you've got to watch the power bank for when the light goes from red to green, and unplug it.' Ellis says that, overall, batteries are very safe if used appropriately and in the right conditions, and people shouldn't be worried about flying because of them.
Time Business News
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
What's the Difference Between RePL and ReOC? A Beginner's Guide to CASA Certifications
If you're new to the drone scene in Australia, you've come across terms like RePL and ReOC. At first glance, they seem similar, but they serve different purposes. Understanding these certifications is essential if you want to fly drones commercially, whether you're working for someone else or planning to run your own operation. In this article, you will learn what each certification means, how they differ, and why they matter. It also offers some practical advice on which one might be right for you. CASA's Role in Regulating Drones in Australia CASA, or the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is the regulatory body overseeing all civil aviation activities in Australia. That includes drones, which are popular for everything from photography to inspections. CASA sets the rules to keep everyone safe, whether you're flying for fun or business. For commercial drone operators, understanding CASA's regulations isn't only about compliance, it's about ensuring your operation is legal and safe. Knowing the difference between RePL and ReOC can seem confusing at first, but it's crucial to get it right before you take off. What is a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)? A RePL is like a driver's licence for drone pilots. It's a personal certification that allows you to operate drones commercially, those under 7kg or up to 25kg, depending on the specifics. If you're flying drones as part of your job or business, you'll need a RePL. Getting a RePL involves training through CASA-approved providers like Ace Aviation. The process is straightforward and quicker than obtaining a ReOC. Once you're certified, you can work for various clients or companies, provided you stick to CASA's rules. A ReOC is a certification for businesses or organisations that want to run drone operations. Think of it as an operating licence for a company rather than an individual. With a ReOC, you can employ RePL holders or manage multiple pilots, making it ideal for drone service companies or freelancers who want to scale up. Applying for a ReOC is more involved. It requires a formal application, detailed operating manuals, procedures, and accountability systems. It's about demonstrating that your organisation can operate safely and responsibly at a larger scale. Key Differences Between RePL and ReOC RePL ReOC Personal certification Organisational certification Quicker to obtain Involves a formal application process Needed for individual pilots Needed for businesses or drone operations A quick way to think about it: RePL is like your driver's licence, personal and quick to get. ReOC is like a business licence, more paperwork, more responsibility. If you're flying drones for someone else's business, like a photographer working for a wedding company, a RePL is probably what you need. It's your ticket to legally operate drones commercially. If you want to start your drone business, offering aerial inspections, surveying, or mapping, you'll need a ReOC. Many students at Ace Aviation start with a RePL and then, as they grow, move on to a ReOC through the Fast-Track program. Getting your head around RePL vs ReOC is a crucial step in building a career or business in the drone industry. Both certifications serve different purposes but are equally important for compliant, safe operations. If you're ready to take the next step, Ace Aviation offers CASA-certified RePL training that gets you flying legally and confidently. We also provide ReOC Fast-Track options for entrepreneurs eager to expand. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
First ever Australian-built rocket's launch delayed as issue discovered hours before scheduled take-off
The launch of the first ever Australian-built rocket hoping to reach orbit has been delayed after an issue was discovered just hours before its scheduled take-off. Gilmour Space Technologies is hoping to make history when its Eris rocket launches for the first time from Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland, and a launch window of between 7.30am - 5.30pm on Thursday had been set. But the Gold Coast-based rocket company provided an update about 6.30am on Thursday morning, sharing that an issue has been identified in the ground support system during overnight checks. 'We're now in an extended hold while we work through it,' a post on the Gilmour Space Technologies' Facebook page said. The company is now hoping to launch on Friday morning. Bowen area residents have been asked to observe all hazard areas for land, sea and air that are in place on launch days. Gilmour Space Technologies announced in February that a launch window starting no earlier than March 15 had been set for Eris' maiden flight, which hoped to make history as the first Australian-designed and built rocket to reach orbit. The news came after the company was given the green light by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia. Co-founder and chief executive Adam Gilmour highlighted that delays are a 'normal part of rocket launches' that can last from hours to days or even weeks, often caused by technical issues or weather conditions. "Safety is always the top priority. We'll only launch when we're ready, and when conditions are appropriate," Mr Gilmour said in the February announcement. He pointed out 'the first launch is always the hardest' as getting a rocket to reach orbit is a 'highly complex engineering challenge'. "It's almost unheard of for a private rocket company to launch successfully to orbit the first time,' Mr Gilmour said. 'Whether we make it off the pad, reach max Q, or get all the way to space, what's important is that every second of flight will deliver valuable data that will improve our rocket's reliability and performance for future launches." Mr Gilmoir said there are only six countries in the world regularly launching rockets into space using their own technology, and 'Australia could soon be one of them'.
West Australian
03-05-2025
- West Australian
Knitting on planes
There has been a resurgence of interest in knitting and sewing, which spans generations. The seeds for what might have been thought of as 'old crafts' were sewn during the COVID pandemic, fed by the trend of personalising fashion and nourished by social media. It has led readers to ask if they can take their knitting needles on aircraft. And the answer is yes. Knitting, tapestry and crochet needles are permitted through security screening, as per regulations by the Australian Government. They can be checked in and can be carried on to an aircraft in hand luggage. + One reader, who went to great lengths to make sure, phoned Perth Airport, where a helpful staffer called up their extensive list and said they definitely could. But when she came to check in at the airport, there seemed to be a question mark over whether her metal needles would be permitted, as opposed to those made of plastic, wood or carbon fibre. She ended up taking them from her carry-on and putting them in her check-in luggage, leaving her unable to knit during her flight to France. + But in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) list of items, knitting needles are listed for both check-in and carry-on. The searchable list is handy: + The UK Government's guidelines and most airlines flying in and from the UK permit knitting needles in carry-on luggage. But individual airport security may have varying policies, so it's as well to be prepared for questions. Print out or have screenshots of the relevant policies. + European flight regulations also generally permit knitting needles in carry-on luggage, but it is best to ask at check-in or bag drop, when you can still put them in checked baggage. + For travel, it's probably best to carry needles made of plastic, rather than metal (aluminium), wood or bamboo. For the planet, it's probably best to use the latter. Those who want to start knitting might try the Boye kit 'I Taught Myself To Knit'. It has a book with 18 beginner projects, two pairs of knitting needles, a row counter, yarn needles and all the other tools you need to start. It is $25 at Spotlight.
