<p>In case you would prefer an answer with citations (as different regulators have different views on this), at the following link is CASA web page regarding &quot;<a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/sport-aviation/recreational-unmanned-aircraft-including-models-and-drones" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Recreational unmanned aircraft (including models)</a>&quot;. There is a link on this page to the  &quot;... <a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/drones" rel="nofollow noreferrer">rules for flying model aircraft and drones.</a>&quot; - this phrasing demonstrates CASA consider model aircraft and drones to be subject to the same regulations.</p>
<p>However, there are some differences in Australian regulation between commercial and personal/recreational use - follow the links above for the latest information.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-12T07:56:41.297Z
2020-10-13T11:37:52.773Z
2020-10-13T11:37:52.773Z
Kralc
<p>Strictly speaking, &quot;Drone&quot; refers to any unmanned aircraft that can fly autonomously. Usually, however, a drone is classified as any unmanned aircraft even if it requires a remote pilot's  control. By this definition, yes, a fixed wing would be classified as a drone because it is an unmanned aircraft.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-12T08:15:06.230Z
Not sure about CASA, but the CAA in the UK has clarified this to say that 'uncontrolled' object in the air, such as balloons, frizbees, boomerangs and free-flight models are not considered 'aircraft'.
Robin Bennett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-11T23:31:50.850Z
2020-10-11T23:31:50.850Z
Jacob B
<p>I've been looking at the CASA RPA rules (specifically under 250g and under 2kg non-commercial) and there doesn't seem to be a section on fixed-wing aircraft. Do the rules for 'drones' (for instance <a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules" rel="noreferrer">these</a>) apply to fixed-wing aircraft. I assume they do but I just want to be sure.</p>
<p>I'm trying to get into model aviation, so expect more of these small questions from me.</p>

<fixed-wing><regulations><under-250-grams><rules>
Do laws on 'drones' in Australia apply to fixed wing model aircraft?
ThatCoolCoder
# Do laws on 'drones' in Australia apply to fixed wing model aircraft?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-10-11)

I've been looking at the CASA RPA rules (specifically under 250g and under 2kg non-commercial) and there doesn't seem to be a section on fixed-wing aircraft. Do the rules for 'drones' (for instance [these](https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules)) apply to fixed-wing aircraft. I assume they do but I just want to be sure.

I'm trying to get into model aviation, so expect more of these small questions from me.

**Tags:** fixed-wing, regulations, under-250-grams, rules


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-10-11. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Strictly speaking, "Drone" refers to any unmanned aircraft that can fly autonomously. Usually, however, a drone is classified as any unmanned aircraft even if it requires a remote pilot's control. By this definition, yes, a fixed wing would be classified as a drone because it is an unmanned aircraft.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Not sure about CASA, but the CAA in the UK has clarified this to say that 'uncontrolled' object in the air, such as balloons, frizbees, boomerangs and free-flight models are not considered 'aircraft'.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2020-10-12. Score: 7

In case you would prefer an answer with citations (as different regulators have different views on this), at the following link is CASA web page regarding "[Recreational unmanned aircraft (including models)](https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/sport-aviation/recreational-unmanned-aircraft-including-models-and-drones)". There is a link on this page to the "... [rules for flying model aircraft and drones.](https://www.casa.gov.au/drones)" - this phrasing demonstrates CASA consider model aircraft and drones to be subject to the same regulations.

However, there are some differences in Australian regulation between commercial and personal/recreational use - follow the links above for the latest information.


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