CASA 16/25 – Maintenance (Certain Amateur-built, Kit-built and Light Sport Aircraft) – Extension of CASA 18/22 Instrument 2025

Overview

The CASA 16/25 Instrument, issued in 2025, is an amendment to CASA 18/22, which addresses the maintenance requirements for certain amateur-built, kit-built, and light sport aircraft. This notifiable instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to extend and refine the maintenance protocols established by the previous instrument, aiming to ensure the safety and reliability of these aircraft categories. The policy objective behind this amendment is to enhance the safety standards for these aircraft by updating the regulatory framework to better accommodate evolving technologies and practices in amateur and light sport aviation. This instrument, signed by Andreas Marcelja, the Executive Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at CASA, commenced on the day following its registration and is set to be repealed at the end of February 2028, allowing for periodic review and updates to the regulatory requirements.

Scope and Application

CASA 16/25I, issued under the authority of subregulations 42ZC(6) and (8) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and regulation 201.001 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, amends the CASA 18/22 Instrument to extend its scope and provisions related to the maintenance of certain amateur-built, kit-built, and light sport aircraft. This instrument applies to all individuals and entities involved in the maintenance, repair, and alteration of these specified types of aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The geographic reach of this instrument is limited to Australia, ensuring compliance with national civil aviation safety standards. The instrument is effective from the day after its registration and remains in force until the end of 29 February 2028, when it will be repealed. The amendments outlined in Schedule 1 to CASA 18/22 provide clarity and additional requirements for maintaining the safety standards of amateur-built, kit-built, and light sport aircraft, ensuring they meet the specified safety regulations.

Key Provisions

CASA 16/25, a notifiable instrument, amends CASA 18/22 to extend the maintenance requirements for certain amateur-built, kit-built, and light sport aircraft. This instrument is issued under subregulations 42ZC(6) and (8) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and regulation 201.001 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, signed by Andreas Marcelja, Executive Manager, Stakeholder Engagement, on behalf of CASA. The instrument comes into effect the day after it is registered and is set to be repealed by the end of 29 February 2028. The primary focus of this instrument is to amend the maintenance standards for specific types of aircraft (Section 2) as outlined in Schedule 1. The obligations imposed by CASA 16/25 include ensuring that all relevant parties comply with the updated maintenance requirements for amateur-built, kit-built, and light sport aircraft. These requirements are designed to enhance safety and ensure that aircraft are maintained to a standard that is consistent with civil aviation safety regulations. Operators and maintainers of these aircraft must adhere to the new standards and procedures specified in the amended CASA 18/22 instrument. This includes keeping detailed records of maintenance activities and ensuring that all maintenance is performed by qualified personnel in accordance with the updated regulations. Failure to comply with the new maintenance requirements could result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, violations of the amended regulations could lead to civil penalties, including fines. The specific penalties are not detailed in the instrument itself, but the Civil Aviation Act provides for penalties that can reach up to thousands of Australian dollars, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, ongoing non-compliance could result in more severe enforcement actions, such as the grounding of aircraft or the suspension of operating certificates. These consequences are intended to ensure that all parties take the new maintenance requirements seriously and prioritise the safety of their operations.