Explanatory Statement
Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998
Exemption – from standard take-off and landing minima – Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd
Legislation
Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations for the Act and the safety of air navigation.
Under subregulation 257 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988), CASA may determine the meteorological minima, that is the visibility requirements, for landing or take‑off at an aerodrome. Under subregulation 257 (2), the determination must be published in AIP or NOTAMS. Under subregulations 257 (3) and (4), it is an offence for an aircraft to take-off or land if an element of the meteorological minima for that operation is less than that determined for the aircraft at the aerodrome.
The determination of standard meteorological minima for take-off and landing was made in instrument CASA 70/11. The minima are also set out in AIP En Route 1.5, section 4. If conditions are met, the minimum visibility for take-off inside or outside Australian territory is 550 metres. If conditions are met, the minimum visibility for landing inside or outside Australian territory is 800 metres, or 550 metres runway visual range. An exemption would be required to operate with lower minimum visibility (low visibility operations or LVO).
Subregulation 11.160 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) provides that, for subsection 98 (5A) of the Act, CASA may grant an exemption from a provision of the regulations, including CAR 1988, in relation to a matter mentioned in that subsection. Under subregulation 11.160 (2), an exemption may be granted to a person, or to a class of persons, and may specify the class by reference to membership of a specified body or any other characteristic.
Under subregulation 11.205 (1) of CASR 1998, CASA may impose conditions on an exemption if this is necessary in the interests of the safety of air navigation. Under regulation 11.225 of CASR 1998, an exemption must be published on the Internet. Under subregulation 11.230 (1), an exemption ceases on the day specified within it (but no longer than 3 years after its commencement) or, if no day is specified, 3 years after commencement.
Instrument
The exemption exempts B777-300ER aircraft operated by Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (the operator), from the standard meteorological minima for take‑off and landing. Following a review of the rules governing low visibility operations, new exemptions have been issued to various operators, allowing them to use lower minima than was previously the case. This exemption states the lower minima for the aeroplanes, in respect of low visibility take-offs and landings, as well as the conditions for their use. For instance, the use of the lower minima will require a higher standard of runway lighting (see clause 13 in Schedule 2).
In essence, the operator must ensure that specified visibility standards are met for take-offs and landings that may be performed only at aerodromes properly equipped to support the low visibility operations conducted under the exemption. Flight crew training, experience, recency and competency must meet specified benchmarks. Aircraft equipment must be maintained. Operational restrictions and limitations must be observed. Appropriate foreign approvals for the operations must be obtained. A range of documents for inspection must be carried on board the aircraft.
The instrument replaces CASA EX58/11 which stops having effect at the end of 31 May 2013.
Legislative Instruments Act
For subsection 98 (5A) of the Act, CASA may, by instrument, grant an exemption from compliance with a provision of the Regulations. An instrument issued under paragraph 98 (5A) (a) of the Act is a legislative instrument if the instrument is expressed to apply to a class of persons or aircraft. The exemption applies to a class of aircraft employed by the operator. The exemption is, therefore, a legislative instrument subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament under sections 38 and 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (the LIA).
Consultation
The instrument replaces an earlier exemption, CASA EX58/11, granted to the operator. The operator has applied for a renewal of that exemption. The instrument is required by the operator to enable it to continue to conduct low visibility take-offs and landings inside and outside Australian territory consistent with the standards and requirements specified in the instrument which are not considered prejudicial to the interests of safety. CASA considers that no further consultation is appropriate or necessary as the instrument applies only to this aircraft operator.
Compatibility with human rights and freedoms
A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is at Attachment 1.
Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR)
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is not required because the exemption is covered by a standing agreement between CASA and OBPR under which a RIS is not required for exemptions (OBPR id: 14507).
Commencement and making
The instrument commences on 1 June 2013. It expires at the end of May 2016 as if it had been repealed by another instrument.
The exemption has been made by a delegate of CASA relying on the power of delegation under subregulation 11.260 (1) of CASR 1998.
[Instrument number CASA EX61/13]
Attachment 1
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Exemption – from standard take-off and landing minima – Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd
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
The legislative instrument permits Virgin Australia International Airlines Pty Ltd (the operator) to use minima lower than the standard take‑off and landing meteorological visibility minima determined by CASA. The exemption is subject to conditions directed by CASA in the interest of safety.
The primary purpose of the legislative instrument is to continue to allow aircraft operated by the operator to land and take-off using reduced visibility minima specified in the exemption. Use of the minima is subject to compliance with the stated conditions.
Human rights implications
This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.
Conclusion
This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority