In Orange, drones are banned from flying closer than 5.5 kilometres near the airport, as well around the hospital, Ambulance helibase and Highland Heritage Estate’s helipad.

Drones are also prohibited from flying near populated areas, and commercial drone pilots are required to be licensed. They’re also not allowed to fly beyond an operators visual line of sight.

To make sense of all the rules – the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have released a free mobile app.

Orange’s Troy Pearson is a licensed drone operator. He flies drones for his business Eyetrix Productions and said he wanted to see more training for recreational operators.

Mr Pearson said unlicensed operators sometimes didn’t understand some of issues they needed to consider.

“There’s been incidents where drones have impacted rescue helicopters and bushfire fighting efforts,” Mr Pearson said.

“A water bomber or retrieval chopper will not complete their job if they spot a drone.”

Mr Pearson said licensed operators were required to be in radio contact when operating, as well completing some of the same training required to become a private or commercial pilot.

That training includes learning about weather maps, aerodynamics and aeronautical maps.

“You need to be aware of power lines, or trees, you can’t fly over populated areas,” Mr Pearson said.

“There’s certain considerations, like wind speed, you can’t take off on a windy day because you lose control.

“Temperature impacts the battery life, cool days might give you 30 minutes of flight but a hot day might mean less flight time because the air is thinner and the drone has to work harder.”

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said the app ‘Can I Fly There?’ provided a “clear picture of the airspace around them”.

CASA estimates there’s around 50,000 drones in Australia, with roughly 45,000 drones used by unlicensed operators.

Mr Gibson said the goal was to improve safety for drone operators and pilots.

“The best way is to educate people, it’s in the palm of their hands,” Mr Gibson said.

“We’re not trying to stop people using their drones. The app just reminds them to stay safe.”

Mr Gibson said there had been incidents where emergency aircraft were grounded because of drones.

He said CASA was looking to develop live updates for the app, creating drone no-fly zones during emergencies like bushfires.