CASA EX172/17 — Aeronautical Experience Requirements for Grant of Commercial Pilot Licences (Aeroplane Category) Exemption 2017

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Legislation au F2017L01659 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Explanatory Statement

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998

CASA EX172/17 — Aeronautical Experience Requirements for Grant of Commercial Pilot Licences (Aeroplane Category) Exemption 2017

Purpose

This instrument continues to exempt certain applicants for a commercial pilot licence with an aeroplane category rating (CPL(A)) who have not completed the related integrated training course from meeting the aeronautical experience requirement in paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR). Also, this instrument continues to instead require those applicants for a CPL(A) to have a reduced amount of flight time (at least 60 hours) as pilot in command of an aeroplane.

The reduced amount of flight time (at least 60 hours) restores the amount of flight time mentioned in paragraph 5.113 (1) (a) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR) before it was repealed when Schedule 2 to the Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment Regulation 2013 (No. 1) commenced on 4 December 2013.

Because the instrument that initially granted that exemption (CASA EX22/15) will be repealed on 31 December 2017, this instrument continues to grant that exemption from 1 January 2018. This instrument will be repealed at the end of 31 January 2020.

Legislation — exemptions

Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) empowers the Governor‑General to make regulations for the Act and in the interests of the safety of air navigation. Relevantly, the Governor‑General has made CASR and CAR.

Subpart 11.F of CASR provides for the granting of exemptions from particular provisions of the regulations. Subregulation 11.160 (1) of CASR provides that, for subsection 98 (5A) of the Act, CASA may grant an exemption from a provision of the regulations.

Under subregulation 11.160 (2) of CASR, an exemption may be granted to a person or a class of persons, and may specify the class by reference to membership of a specified body or any other characteristic.

Under subregulation 11.175 (4) of CASR, in deciding whether to reissue an exemption, CASA must regard as paramount the preservation of at least an acceptable level of aviation safety.

Regulation 11.225 of CASR requires an exemption to be published on the Internet. Under subregulation 11.230 (1) of CASR, the maximum duration of an exemption is 3 years.

Legislation – flight crew licensing requirements – CASR Part 61

Part 61 of CASR sets out flight crew licensing requirements.

A CPL(A) is a kind of commercial pilot licence. Therefore, paragraph (a) of the definition of flight crew licence and paragraph (b) of the definition of pilot licence, both in regulation 61.010 of CASR, have the combined effect of including a CPL(A) within the definition of flight crew licence.

Division 61.I.3 of CASR sets out the aeronautical experience requirements that apply to applicants for commercial pilot licences who have not completed an integrated training course. Regulation 61.605 of CASR states that Division 61.I.3 “applies to an applicant for a commercial pilot licence who has not completed an integrated training course for the licence and the associated aircraft category rating”.

Regulation 61.610 of CASR sets out the aeronautical experience prerequisites for licence applications for, relevantly, applicants for a CPL(A) who have not completed an integrated training course for a CPL(A). Subregulation 61.610 (1) requires an applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the related integrated training course to have at least 200 hours of aeronautical experience that includes, in paragraphs 61.610 (1) (b) to (e), various kinds of flight time for at least the related number of hours. Under paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of CASR, the amount of aeronautical experience mentioned in the preceding sentence must include at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of an aeroplane.

Background

On 6 February 2015, CASA made instrument CASA EX22/15, granting an initial exemption to relevant applicants for a CPL(A) from the aeronautical experience requirements in paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of CASR. CASA EX22/15 was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 11 February 2015 (F2015L00130 refers), commenced on the same date, and will be repealed on 31 December 2017.

 

As the Explanatory Statement for CASA EX22/15 (Attachment E) mentions, CASA EX22/15 was issued after an applicant for a CPL(A) brought the unintended effect of paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) to CASA’s attention. The Explanatory Statement for CASA EX22/15 also mentions that CASA EX22/15 “is of beneficial effect to all such applicants and correctly states CASA’s preferred policy, pending amendment of the regulation”.

Instrument

Section 1 names the instrument in a way that allows the instrument to be identified by its name alone, while retaining the ability to search for the instrument using the Federal Register of Legislation using the CASA instrument number.

Under section 2, the instrument commences on 1 January 2018 and is repealed at the end of 31 January 2020.

Section 3 contains definitions, along with a note that lists certain terms and expressions in the instrument that have the same meaning as they have in the Act and the regulations. The note also lists certain terms and expression that regulation 61.010 of CASR defines.

Section 4 exempts an applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the integrated training course related to a CPL(A) from the aeronautical experience requirements in paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of CASR if the applicant:

(a) holds a commercial pilot licence with a helicopter category rating or an air transport pilot licence with a helicopter category rating; and

(b) has a total of at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of any of the aircraft that the exemption defines as a qualifying aircraft; and

(c) has, as part of the total hours of flight time mentioned in paragraph (b), at least 60 hours of flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes.

Therefore, an applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the related integrated training course is eligible to apply for a CPL(A) if the applicant can make up the remaining hours of flight time as pilot in command of any qualifying aircraft that is not an aeroplane.

Example 1

An applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the related integrated training course holds a commercial pilot licence with a helicopter category rating. The applicant has 65 hours of flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes, 80 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a recognised helicopter and 20 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a recognised gyroplane. The applicant has met the requirement for at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a qualifying aircraft mentioned in paragraph (b) of the definition of exempt CPL(A) applicant. The applicant has also met the requirement for at least 60 hours of the flight time mentioned in paragraph (b) of that definition to be as pilot in command of aeroplanes. Therefore, the applicant is eligible to apply for a CPL(A).

Example 2

An applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the related integrated training course holds an air transport pilot licence with a helicopter category rating. The applicant has 40 hours of flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes, 200 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a registered helicopter and 60 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a recognised gyroplane. The applicant has met the requirement for at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a qualifying aircraft mentioned in paragraph (b) of the definition of exempt CPL(A) applicant. However, the applicant has not met the requirement for at least 60 hours of the flight time mentioned in paragraph (b) of that definition to be as pilot in command of aeroplanes. Therefore, the applicant is not eligible to apply for a CPL(A).

Example 3

An applicant for a CPL(A) who has not completed the related integrated training course holds a commercial pilot licence with a helicopter category rating. The applicant has 60 hours of flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes and 35 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a registered helicopter. The applicant has not met the requirement for at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a qualifying aircraft mentioned in paragraph (b) of the definition of exempt CPL(A) applicant. Therefore, although the applicant has met the requirement for at least 60 hours of the flight time mentioned in paragraph (b) of that definition to be as pilot in command of aeroplanes, the applicant is not eligible to apply for a CPL(A).

The exemption is not subject to any conditions. The condition in Schedule 1 to CASA EX22/15 is no longer necessary because it has been relocated to paragraphs (b) and (c) of the definition of exempt CPL(A) applicant. Also, making the exemption subject to conditions would be inconsistent with CASA’s policy to introduce regulatory amendments to replace the need for the exemption.

Legislation Act 2003 (the LA)

Paragraph 98 (5A) (a) of the Act provides that CASA may issue instruments in relation to matters affecting the safe navigation and operation or the maintenance of aircraft. Additionally, paragraph 98 (5AA) (a) of the Act provides that an instrument issued under paragraph 98 (5A) (a) is a legislative instrument if the instrument is expressed to apply in relation to a class of persons. The instrument exempts a class of persons from complying with the aeronautical experience requirements in paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of CASR. The instrument is, therefore, a legislative instrument and is subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament under sections 38 and 42 of the LA.

Consultation

This instrument replaces a previous instrument which will be repealed at the end of 31 December 2017 (CASA EX22/15) and is made in substantially similar terms. The exemption is beneficial to industry and maintains the current status quo until regulatory amendments are introduced to replace the need for the exemption. In these circumstances, it is CASA’s view that it is not necessary or appropriate to undertake any further consultation under section 17 of the LA.

Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR)

A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is not required in this case, as the exemption is covered by a standing agreement between CASA and OBPR under which a RIS is not required for exemptions (OBPR id: 14507).

 

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

The Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights at Attachment 1 has been prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

Making and commencement

The instrument has been made by a delegate of CASA, relying on the power of delegation under subregulation 11.260 (1) of CASR.

 

The instrument commences on 1 January 2018 and is repealed at the end of 31 January 2020.

Attachment 1

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

 

CASA EX172/17 — Aeronautical Experience Requirements for Grant of Commercial Pilot Licences (Aeroplane Category) Exemption 2017

 

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms
recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

Overview of the legislative instrument

This instrument continues to exempt certain applicants for a commercial pilot licence with an aeroplane category rating (CPL(A)) who have not completed the related integrated training course from meeting the aeronautical experience requirement in paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. Also, this instrument continues to instead require those applicants for a CPL(A) to have a reduced amount of flight time (at least 60 hours) as pilot in command of an aeroplane.

Human rights implications

The right to work, contained in Article 6 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain their living by work which they freely choose or accept. The right to work is positively engaged because the exemption from the requirement to comply with paragraph 61.610 (1) (b) gives applicants for a CPL(A) who have not completed the related integrated training course more flexibility in meeting the aeronautical experience requirements related to a CPL(A). Therefore, the exemption promotes the right to work of CPL(A) applicants with relevant aeronautical experience.

This legislative instrument does not otherwise engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not adversely affect any human rights.

 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) were enacted to establish and maintain high standards of safety in the operation and maintenance of aircraft, ensuring the safety of air navigation. This legislation was introduced to address the need for streamlined and flexible licensing processes for commercial pilots while maintaining stringent safety standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the implementation of these regulations, ensuring compliance and the preservation of aviation safety as paramount. The Aeronautical Experience Requirements for Grant of Commercial Pilot Licences (Aeroplane Category) Exemption 2017, issued under section 11.160 of the CASR, aims to provide a temporary exemption to certain applicants for a commercial pilot licence with an aeroplane category rating, allowing them to meet reduced flight time requirements as pilot in command of an aeroplane while preserving the overarching objective of maintaining acceptable safety standards. This exemption was introduced to address unintended consequences identified by applicants and aims to provide a beneficial effect until regulatory amendments can be made to replace the need for the exemption.

Scope and Application

The Aeronautical Experience Requirements for Grant of Commercial Pilot Licences (Aeroplane Category) Exemption 2017 applies to individuals who are applying for a commercial pilot licence with an aeroplane category rating (CPL(A)) and have not completed an integrated training course. Specifically, the exemption targets those applicants who hold a commercial pilot licence with a helicopter category rating or an air transport pilot licence with a helicopter category rating, and who possess at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a qualifying aircraft, including at least 60 hours of flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes. This exemption continues from the previous exemption instrument CASA EX22/15, which will be repealed on 31 December 2017. Instead of meeting the full aeronautical experience requirement of 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of an aeroplane, as stated in paragraph 61.610(1)(b) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, these applicants are now required to have a reduced amount of flight time, at least 60 hours, as pilot in command of an aeroplane. This exemption is a legislative instrument under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and is subject to tabling and disallowance in Parliament. The exemption is in force from 1 January 2018 and will be repealed at the end of 31 January 2020. The instrument is applicable nationally, as it is a Commonwealth regulation made under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exemption is not subject to any additional conditions beyond those specified in the instrument itself. The exemption is considered beneficial to the industry, as it provides flexibility to CPL(A) applicants who have the requisite aeronautical experience, and maintains the status quo until regulatory amendments are introduced to replace the need for the exemption. The exemption is also compatible with human rights, as it positively engages the right to work by providing additional flexibility to applicants.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this instrument, CASA EX172/17, include sections 1 to 4, which establish the name, commencement, definitions, and exemption criteria, respectively. Section 1 names the instrument to facilitate identification and searchability, while section 2 specifies the commencement date of 1 January 2018 and the repeal date of 31 January 2020. Section 3 provides definitions for terms used within the instrument, and section 4 details the exemption criteria for applicants who have not completed the integrated training course for a commercial pilot licence with an aeroplane category rating (CPL(A)). Specifically, the exemption applies to applicants who hold a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence with a helicopter category rating and have at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a qualifying aircraft, with at least 60 hours of that time being as pilot in command of aeroplanes. The obligations and requirements imposed by this instrument primarily concern the eligibility criteria for applicants seeking a CPL(A) without completing the integrated training course. Under section 4, applicants must meet specific conditions to qualify for the exemption, which include holding a relevant licence and having the requisite flight time as pilot in command of qualifying aircraft, including aeroplanes. This instrument does not impose any additional conditions beyond those specified in section 4. The instrument also mandates that CASA must regard the preservation of an acceptable level of aviation safety as paramount when considering the exemption (CASR 11.175(4)). The instrument does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for breaches, but non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential consequences may include administrative penalties, such as fines, or more severe actions like the suspension or revocation of a pilot’s licence. The specific penalties for non-compliance with CASR are detailed in other sections of the regulations and would apply equally to violations related to this exemption instrument. For instance, under CASR 91.230, the maximum penalty for certain contraventions can amount to $22,230 for individuals and $111,150 for corporations.

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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.