Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4)

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Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4) 1999 No. 229

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Statutory Rule 1999 No. 229

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services

Civil Aviation Act 1988

Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4)

Subsection 98 (1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act) provides that the Governor-General may make regulations for the purposes of the Act and in relation to the safety of air navigation.

Subsection 9 (1) of the Act specifies that the Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) has the function of conducting safety regulation of civil air operations by means that include developing and promulgating appropriate, clear and concise safety standards and issuing certificates, licences, registrations and permits.

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 were amended in July 1998 to meet International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)) performance requirements for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). The amendment required all turbine engine powered commercial transport aeroplanes certified to carry more than 30 passengers, or with a maximum take off weight in excess of 15000 kg, to be fitted with the latest Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS 11) from 1 January 2000 when operating in Australian airspace. The regulations also made reference to the ICAO recommended technical standards for TCAS, being the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued Technical Standing Order (TSO), TSO C119 and TSO C119a.

To meet the latest mandatory ICAO performance requirements, all TCAS II equipment must comply with TSO C119b, which sets out the standards for the latest TCAS II equipment, no later than the ICAO mandatory implementation date of 1 January 2003. The amendment to the regulations will remove reference to the obsolete technical standards, TSO C119 and TSO C119a on that date (1 January 2003).

Items 1 and 2 of Schedule 1 have made technical amendments to regulation 262AA (definitions) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 consequential on the commencement of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

The remaining items have amended regulation 262AB of Division 5 of Part XIII of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

These amendments permit operators to install the latest TCAS equipment (Version 7.0). As previously written, only equipment complying with Technical Standing Order (TSO) C119 or C119a (TCAS II Version 6.04A) was permitted.

The advent. of the latest TCAS equipment technical standard (TSO C119b) was foreshadowed in the previous Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) prepared for the My 1998 amendments. The Office of Regulation Review (ORR) have advised that a further RIS is not required for these amendments as they are considered of minor or machinery in nature.

Details of the amending regulations are attached.

Regulations 1 to 3 and Schedule 1 commenced on gazettal.

Schedule 2 commences on 1 January 2003.

ATTACHMENT

Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No

DETAILS OF THE REGULATIONS

REGULATION 1

Regulation 1 sets out the name of the regulations.

REGULATION 2

Regulation 2 provides that:

(a) Regulations 1 to 3 and Schedule 1 commence on gazettal.

(b) Schedule 2 commences on 1 January 2003.

REGULATION 3

Regulation 3 provides that the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 are amended as set out in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2.

SCHEDULE 1

ITEM 1

Item 1 amends regulation 262AA definition of large-capacity aeroplane by removing existing paragraph (b) that refers to redundant regulation and substituting a revised paragraph (b).

ITEM 2

Item 2 amends regulation 262AA by removing the now redundant definition of type certificate which was adjusted by the substitute paragraph (b) in item 1.

ITEM 3

Item 3 amends paragraph 262AB (a) of regulation 262AB by adding reference to the most recent Technical Standing Order (TSO) relevant to the latest available Airborne Collision Avoidance System equipment.

ITEM 4

Item 4 amends paragraph 262AB (b) of regulation 262AB by adding reference to the most recent Technical Standing Order (TSO) relevant to the latest Airborne Collision Avoidance System equipment.

SCHEDULE 2

ITEM 1

Item 1, to commence 1 January 2003, amends paragraph 262AB (a) of regulation 262AB by removing reference to obsolete Technical Standing Orders (TSO) so ensuring the most recent TSO is complied with from that commencing date.

ITEM 2

Item 2, to commence 1 January 2003, amends paragraph 262AB (b) of regulation 262AB by removing reference to obsolete Technical Standing Orders (TSO) so ensuring the most recent TSO is complied with from that commencing date.

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4) were enacted to update the safety standards for air navigation systems, specifically for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) on commercial aircraft. This legislation was introduced to address the need for aircraft to comply with the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) performance requirements, ensuring that all turbine engine powered commercial transport aeroplanes certified to carry more than 30 passengers, or with a maximum take-off weight in excess of 15,000 kg, are equipped with the latest TCAS technology. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that all aircraft operating in Australian airspace are fitted with the most up-to-date collision avoidance systems. The regulations were enacted by the Parliament of Australia under the authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and amend the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to reflect these updated safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4) apply to all persons and entities involved in the operation of turbine engine powered commercial transport aeroplanes certified to carry more than 30 passengers or with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 15,000 kg within Australian airspace. These regulations amend the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 to ensure compliance with the latest International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) performance requirements for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). The amendments ensure that these aircraft are equipped with the latest TCAS equipment (Version 7.0) compliant with Technical Standing Order (TSO) C119b, replacing the previously required TCAS II Version 6.04A compliant with TSO C119 or TSO C119a. The regulations also update the definitions and technical standards in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, removing references to obsolete technical standards effective from 1 January 2003. These regulations are made under the authority of the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and are applicable on a national level, ensuring the safety of air navigation within Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 4) primarily focus on updating technical standards for airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS) to ensure compliance with international standards and improve aviation safety. Regulation 1 specifies the name of the regulations, while Regulation 2 dictates the commencement dates for different parts of the regulations. Specifically, Regulations 1 to 3 and Schedule 1 commence on gazettal, whereas Schedule 2 is set to commence on 1 January 2003. Regulation 3 provides for the amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 as detailed in Schedules 1 and 2. Under these regulations, operators of large-capacity aeroplanes are required to comply with the updated technical standards for TCAS equipment. Schedule 1 makes necessary technical amendments to definitions and references in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. For instance, it updates the definition of "large-capacity aeroplane" in regulation 262AA and removes obsolete definitions. Additionally, Schedule 1 modifies regulation 262AB to include references to the latest Technical Standing Orders (TSO) relevant to the most recent TCAS equipment. Schedule 2, which takes effect on 1 January 2003, further amends regulation 262AB by removing references to obsolete TSOs, ensuring that only the most recent standards are adhered to. Operators and entities governed by these regulations must ensure that their TCAS equipment meets the latest technical standards as outlined in the regulations. This includes installing TCAS equipment that complies with TSO C119b, the latest standard for TCAS II, and ensuring that obsolete equipment is replaced by 1 January 2003. Non-compliance with these updated standards can lead to significant safety risks, thereby jeopardising the integrity of air navigation systems. Failure to comply with the updated regulations may result in various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations generally can lead to administrative actions, fines, or even the suspension or revocation of operational certificates. These measures are designed to ensure that all operators adhere to the safety standards necessary for the protection of passengers, crew, and the public.

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