CASA 59/18 — Flight Tests and Grant of Certain Endorsements (Approved Persons under Civil Aviation Orders 29.6, 29.10 and 29.11) Approval 2018

Overview

CASA 59/18 — Flight Tests and Grant of Certain Endorsements (Approved Persons under Civil Aviation Orders 29.6, 29.10 and 29.11) Approval 2018 was enacted in 2018 to provide for the conduct of flight tests and the grant of certain endorsements in relation to aerial operations, specifically addressing the roles of sling load operation checkers, mustering operation checkers, and winching/rappelling operation checkers. This notifiable instrument was made under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by Christopher Paul Monahan, Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and it operates from 1 September 2018 until 31 August 2021. The policy objective of this instrument is to ensure that authorised individuals can continue to conduct flight tests and grant specific endorsements to pilots for helicopter operations, maintaining safety and compliance with aviation regulations during the transition period where the Civil Aviation Orders 29.6, 29.10, and 29.11 no longer provide for approved persons for pilot qualifications.

Scope and Application

CASA 59/18—Flight Tests and Grant of Certain Endorsements (Approved Persons under Civil Aviation Orders 29.6, 29.10 and 29.11) Approval 2018 applies to specific categories of individuals involved in helicopter operations, including those conducting flight tests and granting endorsements related to sling operations, aerial mustering, and winching or rappelling operations. This instrument is a notifiable instrument under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to provide clarity and continuity in the regulation of certain flight tests and endorsements. It applies to individuals who were previously approved as sling load operation checkers, mustering operation checkers, or winching/rappelling operation checkers as of 31 August 2014, and who have not been granted specific flight test endorsements since that date. The instrument ensures that these individuals can continue to conduct flight tests and grant endorsements, subject to certain conditions including registration with the CASA Flight Test Management system and compliance with flight examiner rating obligations. The instrument is applicable across Australia and is in effect from 1 September 2018 until 31 August 2021.

Key Provisions

This instrument, CASA 59/18, sets out the specific conditions and approvals for certain flight tests and endorsements, particularly in relation to helicopter operations under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR). It outlines the process for approving persons to conduct flight tests and grant endorsements for specific helicopter operations, such as sling load, mustering, and winching/rappelling operations. The approvals are valid from 1 September 2018 until 31 August 2021. The instrument introduces specific definitions relevant to the operations and endorsements it governs. It defines terms such as "aerial application rating flight test endorsement," "aerial mustering—helicopter endorsement," and "approved helicopter testing pilot." It also specifies the roles of "mustering operation checker," "sling load operation checker," and "winching/rappelling operation checker." These definitions clarify who is eligible for approval and the specific flight tests and endorsements they can conduct or grant. Under this instrument, certain individuals are approved to conduct specific flight tests and grant endorsements. A sling load operation checker can conduct a flight test for a sling operations endorsement and grant the endorsement if the test is passed. Similarly, a mustering operation checker can conduct a flight test for an aerial mustering—helicopter endorsement and grant the endorsement upon passing the test. A winching/rappelling operation checker can conduct a flight test for a winch and rappelling operations endorsement and grant the endorsement if the test is passed. Those granted approvals under this instrument must adhere to several obligations and conditions. They must be registered with the CASA Flight Test Management (FTM) system and use FTM for all flight test notifications. Before registering with FTM, they must provide evidence to the General, Recreational and Sport Aviation Branch of CASA that they were approved on 31 August 2014. Additionally, they must comply with the limitations and obligations of a flight examiner rating under Subpart 61.U of CASR, excluding certain regulations. Any breach of the conditions set out in this instrument can result in civil or criminal penalties. The specific consequences depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but the instrument does not explicitly detail these penalties. However, general provisions within the CASR may apply, which could include fines or other penalties as determined by the court.