Division 3 — UA operator permit
Application for or to renew UA operator permit
11.—(1)  An application for or to renew a UA operator permit must be made to the Authority in accordance with this regulation.
(2)  An application for a UA operator permit must —
(a)be made in the form and manner required by the Authority;
(b)be accompanied by the relevant fee specified in the Second Schedule; and
(c)be accompanied by the following information (in the form required by the Authority):
(i)the identity and contact address of the applicant;
(ii)the type of unmanned aircraft to be operated;
(iii)the purpose for which the unmanned aircraft in the application is to be operated and the nature of the operations;
(iv)the qualifications of the applicant, including the type of training (if any) the applicant has undergone in operating and maintaining the unmanned aircraft;
(v)if the application names any other individual engaged or employed, or to be engaged or employed, by the applicant to fly the unmanned aircraft, the qualifications of the individual to fly the unmanned aircraft in the application, including the type of training (if any) the individual has undergone in operating unmanned aircraft;
(vi)any other information that the Authority may require to decide on the application.
(3)  An application to renew a UA operator permit must —
(a)be made at least one month (or any shorter period that the Authority may specify in any particular case) before the date of expiry of the existing operator permit;
(b)be made in the form and manner required by the Authority;
(c)be accompanied by the relevant fee specified in the Second Schedule; and
(d)be accompanied by the information (in the form required by the Authority) mentioned in paragraph (2) that is different from that provided for the grant of the existing UA operator permit.
(4)  The Authority may refuse to consider an application for or to renew a UA operator permit that is —
(a)incomplete; or
(b)not made in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3), as the case may be.
Grant and renewal of UA operator permit
12.—(1)  After considering any application for or to renew a UA operator permit, the Authority may —
(a)on payment of —
(i)the relevant fee specified in the Second Schedule, grant the applicant a UA operator permit; or
(ii)the renewal fee specified in the Second Schedule and (where applicable) a late renewal fee (if prescribed), renew the UA operator permit; or
(b)refuse to grant or renew the UA operator permit.
(2)  For the purposes of section 4A(2)(a) of the Act, in deciding whether an applicant should be granted a UA operator permit, or whether the UA operator permit should be renewed, and the conditions to impose or modify, the Authority must be satisfied that —
(a)the applicant; and
(b)if the application names any other individual engaged or employed, or to be engaged or employed, by the applicant to fly the unmanned aircraft, the individual,
is capable of ensuring the safe operation of the unmanned aircraft specified in the application.
(3)  The conditions that may be imposed on a UA operator permit include requiring the UA operator permit holder —
(a)to ensure the safe operation of the unmanned aircraft specified in the permit whenever it is flown; and
(b)to adhere to any document issued by the Authority providing practical guidance on the safe operation of unmanned aircraft.
(4)  A UA operator permit may be granted or renewed for the period specified in the permit, being a period not exceeding one year.
Variation of UA operator permit
13.—(1)  A UA operator permit holder may at any time apply to the Authority to vary the UA operator permit because of —
(a)an addition or a substitution of any unmanned aircraft type specified in the permit;
(b)a change in the persons who operate or (where applicable) who are engaged or employed to operate any unmanned aircraft type specified in the permit;
(c)a change in the key management personnel of the UA operator; or
(d)a change in the purpose for which the unmanned aircraft specified in the permit is to be operated and the nature of the operations specified in the permit.
(2)  An application to vary a UA operator permit must —
(a)be made to the Authority in the form and manner required by the Authority;
(b)be accompanied by the relevant fee specified in the Second Schedule; and
(c)be accompanied by any information and documents as the Authority may require to decide on the application.
(3)  The Authority may refuse to consider an application to vary a UA operator permit that is —
(a)incomplete; or
(b)not made in accordance with paragraph (2).
Production of UA operator permit
14.—(1)  A UA operator operating an unmanned aircraft must, on being so required by an authorised person, produce his or her UA operator permit for examination so as to enable the authorised person to ascertain the identity of the UA operator, the validity of the UA operator permit, and whether the UA operator is authorised to operate the unmanned aircraft.
(2)  A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction —
(a)for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding $20,000; and
(b)for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding $40,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 months or to both.