CASA EX40/16 Exemption — use of radiocommunication systems in firefighting operations (New South Wales Rural Fire Service) (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX40/16

I, GERARD JOHN CAMPBELL, Executive Manager, Operations Division, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 11.160 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998).

[Signed G.J. Campbell]

Gerard J. Campbell
Executive Manager
Operations Division

1 March 2016

Exemption — use of radiocommunication systems in firefighting operations (New South Wales Rural Fire Service)

1          Duration

                 This instrument:

(a)   commences on the day of registration; and

(b)   expires at the end of February 2019, as if it had been repealed by another instrument.

2          Application

                 This instrument applies to a member or staff of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) who is an aviation radio operator and who is undertaking firefighting operations for the NSW RFS.

3          Exemptions

                 The members or staff is exempt from compliance with regulation 83 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 if the member or staff is operating a radiocommunication system in the course of his or her duties.

4          Conditions

                 The exemption is subject to the following conditions:

(a)   the member or staff must have completed the NSW RFS training course for use of aviation radiocommunication systems;

(b)   the member or staff must have been assessed as competent:

(i)    to transmit messages to pilots of aircraft and ground crew engaged in fire-fighting operations using aviation protocol; and

(ii)   by the person holding, or acting in, the position of the Executive Director, Operations, of the NSW RFS, or his or her delegate;

(c)   the member or staff must only use the aviation bandwidth VHF AM frequencies allocated to the NSW RFS by Airservices Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority for use during firefighting activities;

(d)   the member or staff must only use the allocated aviation bandwidth VHF AM frequencies for tactical aircraft-to-aircraft and air-to-ground communications when undertaking firefighting operations.