CASA 529/09 – Instructions – for approved use of P-RNAV procedures (A330-200/300) aircraft

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988) were amended through instrument F2009L04153 to provide specific instructions for the approved use of precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures by Airbus 330-200/300 aircraft operated by Qantas Airways Limited. This instrument was introduced to address the need for precise and safe navigation protocols for these aircraft, ensuring compliance with national and international aviation standards. The instrument was enacted to enhance the safety of air navigation as mandated under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The Australian Parliament authorised the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such regulations and instructions. The policy objective of this instrument is to ensure that Qantas Airways Limited adheres to stringent safety standards when employing P-RNAV procedures, thereby maintaining high safety benchmarks in air navigation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 Instructions for approved use of P-RNAV procedures (A330-200/300) aircraft pertain specifically to Airbus 330-200/300 aircraft operated by Qantas Airways Limited. The instructions mandate compliance with certain safety standards and procedures when using precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures, ensuring that these procedures are only used in areas where they are authorised by the air safety authority or air navigation service provider. These instructions necessitate adherence to the standards and procedures outlined in the operator's operations and flight manuals, which must conform to the guidelines in Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 10 issued by the Joint Aviation Authority. The airborne systems installed in the aircraft must meet the performance and functional criteria stipulated in the temporary guidance leaflet and must be approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for use with P-RNAV procedures. Additionally, the training program for flight crew must comply with the standards for training programs mentioned in the temporary guidance leaflet, and flight crew members must receive appropriate briefings and guidance material. The instrument also stipulates that Qantas Airways Limited must notify CASA in writing within 14 days of ceasing to operate an aircraft listed in Schedule 1. The instrument is a legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and is subject to tabling and disallowance in Parliament. It was made by a delegate of CASA in accordance with subregulation 7(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 provide specific instructions for the approved use of precision area navigation (P-RNAV) procedures in Airbus 330-200/300 aircraft operated by Qantas Airways Limited. These instructions (subreg. 179A(1) CAR 1988) specify the method by which the aircraft must be navigated and how a positive position fix is to be obtained when flying under instrument flight rules (I.F.R.). The regulations ensure that the aircraft must be equipped appropriately and that the pilot in command cannot operate the aircraft under I.F.R. if it is not equipped according to these instructions (subreg. 179A(2) CAR 1988). If the instruction is not issued as a Civil Aviation Order (CAO), it must be served on the relevant person or published in a Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) or in an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) (subregs. 179A(3) and (3A) CAR 1988). The operator is obligated to adhere to a series of safety standards and procedures set out in Schedule 2 of the instrument. These include complying with the requirements for P-RNAV procedures as detailed in the operations manual and flight manual, which must align with the standards and procedures outlined in sections 9 and 10 of Temporary Guidance Leaflet No. 10 issued by the Joint Aviation Authority. Additionally, 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 be approved by CASA for use with P-RNAV procedures. The training program for flight crew must comply with the standards mentioned in paragraph 10.5 of the temporary guidance leaflet, and all flight crew members must receive appropriate briefings and guidance material as set out in section 10 of the temporary guidance leaflet. The operator is also required to notify CASA in writing within 14 days of ceasing to operate any of the specified aircraft. Any failure to comply with the provisions of this instrument may lead to significant consequences. Under subregulation 179A(3A) of CAR 1988, the instructions are considered a disallowable instrument and must be either served on the relevant person or published as required. This instrument is also a legislative instrument under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which means it is subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament (s. 5 LIA). Non-compliance could potentially lead to severe penalties, although the exact penalties are not specified in the text. The instrument is in effect from the day after its registration until the end of 31 August 2011 and has been made by a delegate of CASA in accordance with subregulation 7(1) of CAR 1988.