Air Navigation Regulations (Amendment)

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Legislation au F1996B04333 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1960. No. 96.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR NAVIGATION ACT 1920-1960.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Air Navigation Act 1920-1960.

Dated this 25th day of November, 1960.

DUNROSSIL

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

 

AMENDMENTS OF THE AIR NAVIGATION REGULATIONS.†

Interpretation.

1. Regulation 5 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the definition of “danger area” and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“ ‘danger area’ means an area declared by the Director-General under regulation 116 of these Regulations to be a danger area;”;

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the definition of “prohibited area” and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“ ‘prohibited area’ means an area declared by the Director-General under regulation 116 of these Regulations to be a prohibited area;”;

(c) by omitting from the definition of “radio apparatus” in sub-regulation (1.) the word “and” and inserting in its stead the word “or”; and

(d) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the definition of “restricted area” and inserting in its stead the following definition:—

“ ‘restricted area’ means an area declared by the Director-General under regulation 116 of these Regulations to be a restricted area;”,

Requirements as to installation, maintenance and use.

2. Regulation 80 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “In addition to the requirements of sub-regulation (3.) of the last preceding regulation, aircraft radio apparatus—” and inserting in their stead the words “Radio apparatus used in connexion with aircraft operations—”.

 

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 19 December 1960.

† Statutory Rules 1947, No. 112, as amended by Statutory Rules 1947, No. 162; 1948, No. 69; 1949, Nos. 6 and 70; 1950, No. 69; 1952, Nos. 30, 46 and 87; 1953, No. 44; 1954 Nos. 26, 32 and 119; 1955, No. 29; 1956, No. 16; 1957, No. 12; 1958, No. 77; and 1960, No. 21.

6420/60.—PRICE 3D. 10/25.10.1960.


Documents to be carried in aircraft.

3. Regulation 113 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(2.) An Australian aircraft operating wholly within Australian territory is not required to carry the documents specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (d) and (g) of the last preceding sub-regulation.”.

4. Regulations 116, 117, 117A and 117B of the Air Navigation Regulations are repealed and the following regulations inserted in their stead:—

Prohibited, restricted and danger areas.

“116.—(1.) The Director-General may, by notice in the Gazette, declare an area of Australian territory, specified in the notice by reference to its boundaries, to be a prohibited area, a restricted area or a danger area, either without limitation as to time or for such period as is specified in the notice.

“(2.) The Director-General shall not, under the last preceding sub-regulation—

(a) declare an area to be a prohibited area unless, in his opinion, it is necessary for reasons of military necessity to prohibit the flight of aircraft over the area;

(b) declare an area to be a restricted area unless, in his opinion, it is necessary in the interests of public safety to permit the flight of aircraft over the area only in accordance with specified conditions; or

(c) declare an area to be a danger area unless, in his opinion, there exist within or over the area activities that constitute a potential danger to aircraft flying over it.

“(3.) Where the Director-General declares a prohibited area, a restricted area or a danger area under sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation, he shall publish notice of the declaration of the area, including details of its boundaries, in Aeronautical Information Publications or, where the area is declared to be a prohibited area, restricted area or danger area for a period not exceeding three months, in NOTAMS.

“(4.) A notice referred to in sub-regulation (1.) or (3.) of this regulation shall—

(a) in the case of a notice declaring a restricted area, specify the conditions in accordance with which the flight of aircraft over the area is permitted; and

(b) in the case of a notice declaring a danger area, contain sufficient information as to the nature of the danger to enable the pilot in command of an aircraft to take adequate precautions.

“(5.) An aircraft shall not—

(a) fly over a prohibited area; or

(b) fly over a restricted area except in accordance with the conditions specified in the notice declaring the area to be a restricted area.

“(6.) If the pilot in command of an aircraft finds that the aircraft is over a prohibited area or a restricted area in contravention of the last preceding sub-regulation, he shall—

(a) immediately have the aircraft flown to a position where it is not over the area;

(b) as soon as possible report the circumstances to the nearest Air Traffic Control unit; and


(c) land at such aerodrome as is designated by the Air Traffic Control unit and, for that purpose, obey any instructions given by the Air Traffic Control unit as to the movement of the aircraft.

“(7.) As soon as possible after the declaration of a prohibited area or of a restricted area, other than an area declared to be a prohibited area or restricted area for a period not exceeding three months, the Director-General shall communicate to the International Civil Aviation Organization and to Contracting States the extent and location of the area.

Flying training areas.

“117.—(1.) For the purposes of flying training, the Director-General may—

(a) designate an area as a flying training area; and

(b) authorize low flying or acrobatic flying over a specified part of that area.

“(2.) Where the Director-General designates an area as a flying training area under the last preceding sub-regulation, he shall publish in NOTAMS notice of the designation of the flying training area, including details of its boundaries and of the part of the area (if any) over which low flying or acrobatic flying is authorized.”.

Low flying.

5. Regulation 133 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended by omitting from paragraph (c) of sub-regulation (3.) the word and figures “regulation 117B” and inserting in their stead the word and figures “regulation 117”.

Aerodromes at which the operation of aircraft is not restricted to runways.

6. Regulation 146 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words “At aerodromes” and inserting in their stead the words “(1.) Subject to this regulation, at aerodromes”; and

(b) by adding at the end thereof the following sub-regulations:—

“(2.) The rules specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the last preceding sub-regulation do not apply at an aerodrome at which they would otherwise apply—

(a) where the Director-General has directed that those rules are not to apply at that aerodrome;

(b) where an Air Traffic Control unit has, by radio, directed that those rules are not to apply at that aerodrome; or

(c) where a right-handed arrow of conspicuous colour is displayed in the signal area or at the end of the runway or strip in use at that aerodrome.

“(3.) At an aerodrome at which a ground signal of the kind referred to in paragraph (c) of the last preceding sub-regulation is displayed, aircraft, when landing and taking-off, as far as possible shall observe the rules specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation as if the references in those paragraphs to ‘the right’ were references to ‘the left’ and shall observe the rule specified in paragraph (d) of that sub-regulation as if the reference in that paragraph to ‘the left’ was a reference to ‘the right’.”.


Training and checking organization.

7. Regulation 214 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-regulation (1.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulation:—

“(1.) An operator of a regular public transport service, an operator of any aircraft that has a gross weight of over 12,500 pounds and any other operator that the Director-General specifies shall provide a training and checking organization so as to ensure that members of the operator’s operating crews maintain their competency.”;

(b) by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the word “its” and inserting in its stead the words “the operator’s”; and

(c) by omitting from sub-regulation (3.) the words “of each airline”.

Safety belts and safety harness.

8. Regulation 244 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words “the next succeeding sub-regulation” and inserting in their stead the words “this regulation”; and

(b) by inserting after sub-regulation (1.) the following sub-regulation:—

“(1A.) The last preceding sub-regulation does not apply in relation to an authorized officer of the Department undertaking examinations, inspections or checks of the work of an aircraft’s crew or the operation of an aircraft or its equipment under regulation 253 of these Regulations.”.

Prohibition of entry or remaining on aerodrome in certain circumstances.

9. Regulation 316 of the Air Navigation Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (2.) the words “a Peace Officer of the Commonwealth or a member of the police force of the Commonwealth or of a State or of a Territory of the Commonwealth”, and inserting in their stead the words “a Commonwealth Police Officer or a member of the police force of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth”.

 

By Authority: A. J. ARTHUR, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.

Overview

The Air Navigation Regulations 1960 were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of air navigation within Australian territory, thereby addressing gaps in the existing framework for managing airspace and aircraft operations. This legislative instrument was created under the authority of the Air Navigation Act 1920-1960, enacted by the Australian Parliament to provide a comprehensive legal basis for the regulation of aviation in Australia. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain high standards of safety and efficiency in air navigation, thereby protecting the public and ensuring the smooth operation of air traffic. These regulations were introduced by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and serve to implement the provisions of the Air Navigation Act by providing detailed rules and procedures for various aspects of air navigation, including the designation of prohibited, restricted, and danger areas, the requirements for aircraft operations, and the responsibilities of operators and personnel involved in aviation.

Scope and Application

The Air Navigation Regulations, as amended by Statutory Rules 1960, No. 96, apply to aircraft operations within Australian territory, focusing on the safety and regulation of air navigation. These regulations mandate specific requirements for the installation, maintenance, and use of radio apparatus on aircraft, while also providing for the declaration of prohibited, restricted, and danger areas by the Director-General. This legislative instrument extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all aircraft operating within its jurisdiction, with certain exceptions for Australian aircraft operating solely within Australian territory, which are not required to carry certain documents. The regulations also include provisions for flying training areas, low flying, and the operation of aircraft at aerodromes, ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational protocols. Subordinate instruments may further specify and refine these regulations, thereby extending or restricting their application as necessary.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Air Navigation (Amendment) Regulations 1960 (Cth) amend and update various aspects of the existing Air Navigation Regulations. Regulation 1 updates the definitions of several terms such as “danger area”, “prohibited area”, and “restricted area” to clarify their meanings under the new regulations. Regulation 2 modifies the requirements concerning the installation, maintenance, and use of radio apparatus in aircraft operations. Regulation 3 exempts Australian aircraft operating within Australian territory from carrying certain documents, simplifying the requirements for domestic flights. The regulations introduced in Regulation 4 redefine the process for declaring prohibited, restricted, and danger areas, providing more flexibility and specificity in designating these areas. Regulation 5 amends the rules concerning low flying and acrobatic flying, updating the conditions under which these activities may be authorised. Regulation 6 allows for exceptions to certain rules at specific aerodromes under certain conditions. Regulation 7 updates the requirements for training and checking organisations for operators of certain types of aircraft. Regulation 8 introduces an exemption for authorised officers of the Department from the general safety belt and safety harness requirements when performing their duties. Regulation 9 updates the terminology related to police officers in the context of aerodrome security. These regulations impose several obligations on parties governed by the Air Navigation Act 1920 (Cth) and the amended Air Navigation Regulations. Operators of regular public transport services, aircraft with a gross weight over 12,500 pounds, and any other specified operators must establish and maintain a training and checking organisation to ensure crew competency. The Director-General has the authority to declare areas as prohibited, restricted, or danger areas, with specific conditions and notifications required for such declarations. Aircraft must not fly over prohibited areas, and must adhere to specified conditions when flying over restricted areas. Aerodromes may have certain rules waived under specific circumstances, and authorised officers of the Department are exempt from certain safety requirements when performing their duties. Breaching these regulations can result in various offences and penalties. For instance, flying over a prohibited area or a restricted area in contravention of the regulations can result in the aircraft being directed to a safe position, a report being made to the nearest Air Traffic Control unit, and the aircraft being instructed to land at a designated aerodrome. Failure to comply with these directives may result in further civil or criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances and severity of the breach. The exact penalties for breaches are not detailed in the provided text but would typically be outlined in the primary legislation or subsequent regulations.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.