CASA 215/11 – Instructions – for approved use of P-RNAV procedures (Qantas B-767)

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, as amended by F2011L00912, were enacted to address the specific navigational requirements for certain aircraft operated under instrument flight rules, particularly focusing on the use of precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which empowers the Governor-General to make regulations for the safety of air navigation. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure that Qantas Airways Limited's specially equipped Boeing 767-300ER aircraft comply with stringent safety standards when using P-RNAV procedures. These instructions mandate adherence to detailed operational and safety protocols as outlined in the Joint Aviation Authorities' Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 10, ensuring that both the aircraft's systems and the flight crew are appropriately certified and trained. The instrument is subject to disallowance under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, reflecting its legislative status and the importance of parliamentary oversight in aviation safety regulations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 Instructions—for approved use of P-RNAV procedures (Qantas B-767) outlines the specific requirements and procedures for the use of precision area navigation (P-RNAV) by Qantas Airways Limited for its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. This instrument applies directly to Qantas as the operator of the specified aircraft, mandating compliance with detailed safety standards and procedures for conducting IFR flights using P-RNAV. The instrument emphasises adherence to standards set out in the operations and flight manuals, which must align with the Joint Aviation Authorities' Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 10. Furthermore, the airborne systems used must meet specified performance and functional criteria and must be approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Training programs for flight crew must also meet the outlined standards, ensuring that crew members are adequately briefed and equipped with necessary guidance material. The instrument is applicable only in areas where P-RNAV procedures have been authorised by the relevant authorities. Additionally, the instrument is subject to disallowance under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, as it is a disallowable instrument and must be tabled and potentially disallowed by Parliament.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, as modified by this instrument, provide specific instructions for Qantas Airways Limited when using precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures on certain Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. These instructions are detailed in Schedule 2 of the instrument. They require the operator to adhere to safety standards and procedures relevant to P-RNAV operations, which must align with those outlined in the operations manual and flight manual of the aircraft (subregulation 179A(1)). Furthermore, these manuals must comply with the standards and procedures set forth in sections 9 and 10 of Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 10 issued by the Joint Aviation Authorities (subregulation 179A(2)). The airborne systems installed in the aircraft must meet the performance and functional criteria specified in sections 6 and 7 of the temporary guidance leaflet and must have been approved by CASA for use with P-RNAV procedures (subregulation 179A(3)). The training program for flight crew using P-RNAV procedures must also comply with the standards mentioned in paragraph 10.5 of the temporary guidance leaflet, and flight crew members must receive appropriate briefings and guidance material as outlined in section 10 of the temporary guidance leaflet (subregulation 179A(4)). The operator is under an obligation to ensure that all procedures and operations involving P-RNAV comply with the instructions provided in the instrument and relevant manuals. This includes maintaining and operating the aircraft systems in accordance with CASA's approval and ensuring that all flight crew members are adequately trained and briefed. The operator must also notify CASA in writing within 14 days of ceasing to operate the aircraft specified in Schedule 1 (subregulation 179A(5)). The instrument is subject to disallowance under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which means it can be reviewed and potentially disallowed by Parliament (subregulation 179A(3A)). Failure to comply with the instructions could result in severe consequences, including potential penalties for operating an aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR) without the required equipment and procedures in place, which is prohibited under subregulation 179A(2). Such non-compliance could lead to significant safety risks and may be considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Penalties for breaches of aviation regulations can include substantial fines and other enforcement actions, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.