Operators will have to report "runaway" remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA) under the new CASA Manual of Standards (MOS) to be introduced.
Currently, there is no requirement for an operator to inform anyone if control or contact between the operator and the RPA is lost.
Under the new MOS, if an operator loses control of an RPA, they will need to inform ATC if the flight is in controlled airspace, or make a broadcast on an appropriate frequency if in Class G airspace.
To make the Class G broadcast, the controller will need to hold an Aircraft Radio Operator's Certificate, which is currently needed only if the flight is in CTA and is not line-of-sight.
On 29 March this year, an operator covering an AFL game lost control of an Aeronavics Sjyjib 8 RPA near the MCG. The aircraft was carrying a video camera, and failed to respond after being flown south past Hisense Arena, ultimately crashing into the median strip on Batman Avenue.
The operator concluded that radio frequency interference was blamed for the loss of control.