(tranquil music)
- [Narrator] Companies nationally and globally
have come to Australia to run trials,
undertake research and development activities,
and launch their emerging aviation technologies.
This is in part due to the practical approach CASA uses
as the foundation of their regulatory framework.
- In our approach in working with industry,
we've really tried to develop a regulatory framework
that's flexible, and we've really worked closely
with industry as they've tried to mature, and evolve,
and innovate in this space.
So it's fair to say CASA's not a rigid regulator
in the sense that we are prepared
to consider and work with operators
around new applications and new operations.
- So the value for even in launching operations early
in Australia is that we think
that CASA and the aviation system in Australia
is really well-regarded around the world,
will give other countries confidence
in developing the ecosystem for urban air mobility.
- I think we have a really great opportunity,
particularly in new
or next generation air mobility research and development
to really have a significant role.
We have a burgeoning
but also mature supply chain,
and we have really great research in Australia.
We have solid fundamental research
in a lot of the bricks that are necessary
but in the aerospace sector.
- We also just have really practical benefits,
like Australia's geography,
our population densities,
and even our really good weather
that it creates an environment
that's really easy for companies to come here
and try out these new technologies.
- [Narrator] CASA has developed a regulatory approach
that allows innovation and growth in the RPAS sector
by providing a pathway
for companies to demonstrate to CASA the safety
of their technologies.
- We don't really see our regulation as a barrier.
We see it as an opportunity to prove ourselves,
and I think CASA have been very pragmatic
in that they're open minded
and willing to say, "Hey, here's the safety requirement.
We're happy for you to prove to us,
in whichever way you would like to try,
that your system is safe."
And we find that is a really powerful tool.
- So essentially, CASA said to Wing,
and is saying to other companies in the space
if you could operate at this high level of safety,
we can work with you on how to achieve the permissions
in which to operate.
That mindset was really working for a company like ours,
and investing in R&D,
investing in hiring people here and teams here,
and opening sites.
We felt safe and secure
in making an investment like that over many, many years
in working with an agency like CASA.
- [Narrator] To actively support
the growing remotely piloted aircraft systems,
and advanced air mobility industries,
while keeping Australian skies safe,
there needs to be a forward-thinking approach to regulation.
- We realized that we need to act now.
We need to act now to keep up with pace,
and the expectation of the industry.
We were world leading.
We did set those rules, the first type in the world.
But things have changed,
and new technologies like advanced air mobility
are on the horizon.
So what that means is that we need to go away
and look at our regulations, and standards, and say,
"Well, what do we need to adjust here
to enable those technologies
and those industries to grow and flourish
for the best interest of Australians?"
- [Narrator] CASA will continue to work with industry
to provide a pathway for safe testing of RPAS and AAM
so that the Australian people can be confident
in the future of aviation.
- CASA have put together a really good roadmap
for how they see integration of AAM generally,
and integration of further drones into the airspace.
So throughout a number of years,
we've had a number of different people
in the company working on the working groups,
helping formulate what that roadmap looks like,
and the things that they need to invest in,
and where industry can help them on that journey,
which has been really, really good
to see that industry engagement.
- Australia has a really strong reputation
in terms of new and emerging aviation technology,
and we've seen really great progress made on drones
over the last few years.
And so we have a real opportunity working
with CASA to capitalise on that for urban air mobility,
and see the same great progress,
and leadership globally on this area
as we've seen with drones over the last few years.
- I think there's so many ways still that we'll see,
new ways that people use these technologies
that we just haven't even thought of yet,
and I find that really exciting.
(lively music)
- [Narrator] Find out more on our website.