RPAS 2026 Speaker Bio

Oliver Heys

Chief Remote Pilot

Surf Life Saving NSW - Australian UAV Service

Oliver Heys leads one of Australia’s largest and most advanced drone programs, overseeing more than 200 pilots across 50+ locations for Surf Life Saving NSW’s Australian UAV Service (AUAVS). His role spans both regulatory and operational delivery, including deployments for numerous disaster and emergency response events across New South Wales.

Since joining the RPAS industry in 2016, Oliver has been instrumental in developing CASA-approved procedures and advancing BVLOS, powered-lift, and drone-in-a-box operations. His leadership combines deep technical expertise with a practical understanding of field operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and scalable UAV integration across emergency and coastal environments.

Currently completing an MBA at the University of Sydney, Oliver is focused on strengthening leadership capability within the UAV sector and shaping the future of drone operations in complex, high-risk industries.