CASA EX11/19 — Life jacket standard (Skyplan Australia Pty Ltd) exemption 2019 (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX11/19

I, PETER MICHAEL WHITE, Executive Manager, Regulatory Services & Surveillance, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

[Signed P. White]

Peter White
Executive Manager, Regulatory Services & Surveillance

29 January 2019

CASA EX11/19 — Life jacket standard (Skyplan Australia Pty Ltd) exemption 2019

1          Name

                 This instrument is CASA EX11/19 — Life jacket standard (Skyplan Australia Pty Ltd) exemption 2019.

2          Duration

                 This instrument:

(a)   commences 1 February 2019; and

(b)   is repealed at the end of 31 January 2022.

3          Definitions

                 In this instrument:

CAO 20.11 means Civil Aviation Order 20.11, also known as section 20.11 of the Civil Aviation Orders, as in force from time to time.

Helicopter Emergency Escape Device means a self-contained breathing apparatus, consisting of a compressed air bottle, mouth piece and regulator.

SAR operation means a search and rescue operation, an emergency medical operation or a police operation.

SAR personnel means flight crew, emergency personnel and search and rescue personnel directly engaged in a SAR operation.

Skyplan means Skyplan Australia Pty Ltd, ARN 554908.

SOS-6343 PFD means a combination survival vest and personal flotation device, part number SOS‑6343, manufactured by Case Investments Pty Ltd.

4          Application

                 This instrument applies in relation to Skyplan if it conducts a SAR operation in a helicopter that is equipped with SOS-6343 PFDs.

5          Exemption

        (1)     A person associated with an operation is exempt from compliance with subparagraph 5.1.6 (a) of Civil Aviation Order 20.11 to the extent that the subparagraph requires a life jacket worn by SAR personnel to comply with a standard approved by CASA.

Note   CAO 20.11 applies in all other respects to the aircraft and to aircraft occupants who are not SAR personnel.

        (2)     The exemption is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 6.

6          Conditions

        (1)     Skyplan must ensure that SOS-6343 PFDs are used only by SAR personnel during SAR operations.

        (2)     Skyplan must ensure that each SOS-6343 PFD used during a SAR operation has:

(a)   reflective markings; and

(b)   a whistle; and

(c)   a light; and

(d)   a manual inflation function; and

(e)   passed annual servicing and testing in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions (the required maintenance), performed by one of the following:

             (i)  a maintenance organisation, approved by CASA under regulation 30 of CAR, that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment;

            (ii)  a Part 145 organisation that is authorised to service and test flotation equipment;

           (iii)  the manufacturer.

        (3)     Skyplan must ensure that SAR personnel have, in the previous 12 months, demonstrated competence in matters associated with the use of SOS-6343 PFDs, including:

(a)   correct use and fitment of SOS-6343 PFDs and the Helicopter Emergency Escape Device; and

(b)   helicopter emergency escape procedures.

        (4)     Before conducting a SAR operation, Skyplan must ensure that the pilot in command of the operation and all SAR personnel using an SOS-6343 PFD to be transported have reviewed a copy of this instrument and are familiar with its conditions.

        (5)     Skyplan must keep the following records in accordance with the procedures mentioned in its operations manual for managing life saving equipment and personnel training records:

(a)   records of the required maintenance;

(b)   records of the demonstration of the competencies mentioned in subsection (3).