FlyFreely in Australia: Drone Safety App Startup Gets CASA Authorization

CASA Authorization for FlyFreely in Australia

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Today, Australia’s lead aviation body has verified software by Brisbane-based startup FlyFreely, which will make it easier for users to know where in the country they can fly drones. The Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) announced its authorization of the use of five new drone safety apps, with FlyFreely joining the ranks of only seven other companies to have been awarded the verification to date.

“This will make a huge difference to our customers,” said FlyFreely Founder Dr. David Cole. “No matter if they are in the field or office, our customers can instantly determine where they can and cannot fly. Previously they had to check multiple different data sources.”

Dr Cole stated that FlyFreely customers would be able to save as much as 80 percent of their time on their planning processes. “We now provide a fully integrated, end-to-end solution to meet all requirements under the Part 101 Manual of Standards, and is CASA verified,” he said. “Our software contains all of the features needed to plan, approve, execute and reconcile operations. Our customers can now plan their missions and operate with the confidence they aren’t going to run into any compliance issues.”

FlyFreely’s team has been working in collaboration with CASA on the verification process since the beginning of the year. “It’s a really huge achievement for the whole team,” Cole explained.

“They’ve put in a huge amount of effort while also continuing to provide seamless support to our customers and developing other new features for our software. The next step for us is automated airspace authorisation, which is slated for early 2022.”

This is the latest in a line of recent accomplishments for FlyFreely, with the company having recently expanded into New Zealand.

Dr Cole said he was now in talks with Airways NZ, CASA’s counterpart in New Zealand, with the goal of connecting to its system in the following months. FlyFreely will then look to connect with other unmanned aircraft system traffic management providers around the globe in 2022.

Read more about  Australian drone laws, drone delivery in Australia, and CASA’s plans for automated airspace authorization.

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.