Students to be educated on drone safety at school

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has provided new resources to helps parents and schools teach students about drone safety.

These resources are available as part of CASA’s national Know Your Drone campaign.

The guided and unguided learning packages and activities targeting school-aged children have been designed to improve awareness and understanding of drones.

While record numbers of Australians of all ages continue to buy and fly drones for fun and recreation, children represent a growing contingent of modern-day aviators.

To develop a safe flying culture in schools, CASA has partnered with specialists in youth education to develop a suite of resources and lesson ideas aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

“In consultation with Education Services Australia, we have designed tailored resources to build awareness, understanding and acceptance of drone safety rules and regulations among young people aged 10 to 16, teachers, parents and carers,” said CASA’s Acting Branch Manager of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services, Sharon Marshall-Keeffe.

“We’re asking children to test their drone safety knowledge through quizzes, school-based learning activities and teacher-led discussions.

“We’ve also developed a dedicated education resources section on the campaign website — knowyourdrone.gov.au/classroom — and we strongly recommend the use of CASA-verified safety apps to find out where it’s safe to fly.

“It’s also important to raise awareness of the incoming operator accreditation and registration requirements affecting people over 16 and the need for those under 16 to be supervised by an accredited adult unless flying at a CASA approved flying site.”

Education Services Australia says it is proud to be playing a role in providing school children with access to information about rules, regulations and flying zones.

“It’s imperative that children understand the rules and regulations in place to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the freedom that comes with flying drones,” said Education Services Australia CEO Andrew Smith.

“We hope that by arming our pilots of tomorrow with the information they need today, they will take to the skies with confidence, in a safe and responsible manner.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/D.SERIN