EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988
CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988
CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998
CIVIL AVIATION AMENDMENT ORDER (NO. 2) 2004
FLIGHT CREW STANDARDS – SYNTHETIC TRAINERS – GENERAL
Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) empowers the Governor-General to make regulations.
Under Part 5 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may, in relation to the qualifications of flight crews, approve a synthetic flight trainer for the purposes of regular flight reviews, recent experience requirements and the calculation of flight times and aeronautical experience.
Regulation 5 of CAR 1988 provides that wherever CASA is empowered or required to give any approval, CASA may give the approval in Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs).
Under regulation 303A, CASA is also authorised to impose conditions on an approval.
Section 45.0 of the CAOs specifies the requirements for the approval of synthetic flight trainers used by pilots and flight engineers for aeronautical experience. Section 45.0 also details the conditions for the accreditation and classification of approved synthetic flight trainers.
Part 60 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) was introduced to update, consolidate and replace current rules found in section 45.0 of the CAOs, and documents “FSD-1 Operational Standards and Requirements — Approved Flight Simulators” and “FSD-2 Operational Standards and Requirements — Approved Synthetic Trainers”, that define requirements for flight simulators and synthetic trainers (FSD-2). CASR Part 60 prescribes the rules for the manufacture, supply, and use of synthetic training devices, a term which covers a broad range of devices. CASR Part 60 provides a regulatory regime that covers the qualifications, operation and approval of synthetic training devices. Synthetic training devices provide an environment for pilots and flight engineers to gain competencies that are essential for safe air navigation.
CASR Part 60 has been developed initially in stages. CASR Subparts 60.A and 60.B were implemented on 18 September 2003 and address synthetic training devices (flight simulators and flight training devices) typically used by air transport operators for pilots aircraft type ratings and maintaining operational recency. CASR Subpart 60.C, which will address synthetic training devices typically used for basic pilot licences and instrument rating purposes, is still under development and will be implemented at a later stage.
The implementation of CASR Subparts 60.A and 60.B requires the consequential amendment of section 45.0 of the CAOs. This Order makes those consequential amendments by removing references to flight simulators, as these are now detailed in CASR Subparts 60.A and 60.B, and to FSD-1.
Section 45.0 continues to apply to synthetic trainers, which are defined in CAR 1988. In addition, the applicable standards will continue in FSD-2.
Under transitional provisions, all flight simulator users and operators will retain the approvals granted under the current legislation. Most CASA flight simulator certificates and approvals have been issued with no expiry date. As part of the transition process CASA will issue new certificates and approvals as needed.
Regulation Impact Statement, CASA #0301, has been prepared and approved by the Office of Regulation Review in support of the implementation of CASR Subparts 60.A and 60.B, including the consequential amendment of Section 45.0 of the CAOs.
The Order came into effect on Gazettal.
The Order has been made by the Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, in accordance with subsection 84A (2) of the Act.
[Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. 2) 2004]