These newsletters aim to share updates, learnings, and guidance about our current (and future!) service deliveries.
Service Delivery Update
The Autumn DPI Operational period has wrapped up across the state, except for all Sydney locations where the season will continue until June 30th.
Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) Operations are being conducted at Sydney’s Northern Beaches, using the M300, in preparation for future long-range projects.
All Far North Coast locations will be operational for the Winter School Holiday period beginning on July 2nd. We’ve recently opened recruitment for these areas, and whilst we have limited UAV Operator positions available for new staff, we have plenty of UAV Pilot positions open. Please feel free to reach out to your RePL Certified Pilots and encourage them to apply!
Rostering for the Far North Coast Winter Period will be finalised on June 24th and we really look forward to working with our UAV Pilots & Operators again for this season.
NSW Telco Authority Conference
On the 6th of May, AUAVS and SLSS Staff attended the NSW Telco Authority Conference. We were one of the many emergency services alongside SES NSW, RFS, National Parks NSW and more. We were given the opportunity to demonstrate our technology to professionals in the telco industry, who took great interest in our services.
Some highlights of the event included:
- Networking with the other emergency service providers including NSW National Parks and learning about their capabilities and UAV Operations in rural locations.
- Showcasing our different drones and speaking to industry professionals about the services we provide, and the value we bring to public safety at the beach.
In the week following the conference, AUAVS delivered a presentation to the NSW State Rescue Board Policy Advisory Committee and NSW Maritime Police to demonstrate our capabilities and promote effective collaboration with the emergency services and Police for future emergency taskings. The benefits of this presentation are already coming to light with recent search & rescues seeing a very streamlined implementation of our UAV services alongside other emergency agencies on scene.
Long Range Flights & Teleoperations Testing
Following last months’ RPAS in Australian Skies Event, we have begun engaging Commercial Airline Pilots to employ and train over a long term for future BVLOS operations. A CASA Requirement for any uav operation that is not VLOS, is for the operation to be supervised or conducted by a Remote Pilot with an Instrument Rating qualification.
The EVLOS project we are currently doing is in preparation for BVLOS operations which we endeavour to begin within the next 12-18 months. EVLOS provides us with enhanced abilities as an organisation and we are currently mapping out exactly how and where these skills are delivered to our staff and members.
In mid-May, teleoperations testing was conducted at Freshwater with livestream footage sent back to the State Operations Centre (SOC), where the Pilot was based. Our highly experienced UAV Pilot, Dave Hall-Johnston, was located on site at Freshwater headland as the observer. Representatives from Motorola attended the SOC to assist with the live stream set-up and connection.
It’s quite an exciting time for AUAVS at the moment, whilst we continue to develop our services in an every-growing industry.
Lifesaver Drone Outreach Program
Surf Life Saving NSW’s Australian UAV Service (AUAVS), in partnership with She Maps, had launched the Lifesaver Drone Outreach Program in 2021 for school students in Years 5-9 in NSW and the ACT, with a focus on getting more students, particularly girls, involved in engineering and technology.
The program had slowed down due to the rise of COVID-19, however the AUAVS is now looking to reinvigorate the program in 2022. If you know of a school which may be interested, we would love to hear from them at uav@surflifesaving.com.au. We will be defining areas of focus shortly. Qualified instructors may then be contracted to deliver programs across the state by Surf Life Saving New South Wales.