CASA EX85/10 – Exemption – use of radiocommunication systems in firefighting operations (Western Australia) (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX85/10

I, JOHN FRANCIS McCORMICK, Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 308 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988).

[Signed John F. McCormick]

John F. McCormick
Director of Aviation Safety

21 October 2010

Exemption — use of radiocommunication systems in firefighting operations (Western Australia)

1          Duration

This instrument:

(a)   commences on 1 November 2010; and

(b)   stops having effect at the end of 31 October 2012.

2          Application

This instrument applies to:

(a) the pilot in command of an Australian aircraft in which a radiocommunication system approved under subregulation 82 (1) of CAR 1988 is installed (the pilot); and

(b)   members and staff of the Department of Environment and Conservation (the DEC) of the State of Western Australia, Aviation Reference Number 401329, and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia (the FESA); and

(c)   aviation radio operators who are members or staff of the DEC or the FESA (the operators).

3          Exemption

(1) The pilot is exempt from compliance with paragraphs 83 (1) (c) and (e) of CAR 1988 when engaged in firefighting operations involving the DEC and the FESA.

(2) Members and staff of the DEC and the FESA are exempt from compliance with paragraph 83 (2) (b) of CAR 1988.

(3) The operators are exempt from compliance with subregulation 83 (3) of CAR 1988 in the course of their duties when operating a radiocommunication system.

4          Conditions

The exemption is subject to the conditions mentioned in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1          Conditions

Each member or staff of the DEC or the FESA who in the course of his or her duties operates a radiocommunication system to which this exemption applies must:

(a)   have completed a prescribed DEC or FESA training course including the use of radiocommunication systems; and

(b)   have been assessed as competent by the person holding or acting in the position of the Aviation Manager, Fire Management Services, DEC, or his or her delegate; and

(c)   only use the aviation bandwidth VHF AM frequencies allocated to the DEC and the FESA by Airservices Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority for use during firefighting activities; and

(d)   only use the allocated aviation bandwidth VHF AM frequencies for tactical aircraft-to-aircraft and air-to-ground communications during fire suppression and prevention operations or training for such operations.