CASA Ex95/08 – Exemption – use of radiocommunication systems in firefighting operations (New South Wales Rural Fire Service) (Cth)

Instrument number CASA EX95/08

I, MICHAEL DAVID QUINN, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Operations, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 308 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988).

[Signed M.D. Quinn]

Mick Quinn
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Operations

19 December 2008

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

1          Duration

This instrument:

(a)   commences on the day after it is registered; and

(b)   stops having effect at the end of January 2011.

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 New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS); and

(c)   aviation radio operators who are members or staff of the NSW RFS (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 NSW RFS.

(2) Members and staff of the NSW RFS 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 NSW RFS who, in the course of his or her duties, operates a radiocommunication system to which this exemption applies must:

(a)   have completed a prescribed NSW RFS 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 Executive Director, Operations, of the NSW RFS, or his or her delegate; and

(c)   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; 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.