Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 - Loading - General (02/12/2004)

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Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 – Air service operations – loading – general

as amended

made under regulation 5 and subregulation 235 (7) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

This compilation was prepared on 12 July 2018 taking into account amendments up to Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1).  It is a compilation of Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 – Air service operations – loading – general as amended and in force on 30 June 2018.

Prepared by the Advisory & Drafting Branch, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Division, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Canberra.

Compilation No. 3.

Contents

Page

1...Application..............................................................

2...Definitions..............................................................

3...Loading system..........................................................

5...Load sheets.............................................................

7...Passenger lists...........................................................

 Note to Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1............................................

 

Section 20.16.1

Air service operations – loading – general

1 Application

  This Order applies to all Australian aircraft except balloons.

2 Definitions

  In this Order:

aerial application operation has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.

Approved Loading System means a system prepared by an operator in accordance with the requirements of Civil Aviation Order 100.7, and approved by CASA or the holder of an appropriate and valid Weight Control Authority for ensuring that an aircraft is loaded within approved limits at all times during flight.

empty weight, of an aircraft, has the meaning given by subsection 2 of Civil Aviation Order 100.7.

Load Sheet means a form for recording the weight and disposition of the disposable load together with other pertinent loading information.

Approved Load Controller means a person nominated by an operator and approved by CASA to carry out all or any of the duties involved in the control and supervision of aircraft loading in a particular aircraft. The pilot in command or the co-pilot of an aircraft may undertake the duties and assume the responsibilities of an approved load controller without special authorisation by CASA.

3 Loading system

  Where an aircraft has an approved loading system, the operator and the pilot in command shall ensure that the aircraft is loaded at all times in accordance with that system.

Note 1   Civil Aviation Order 100.7 requires all aircraft, except balloons, to have a loading system unless it can be shown that the aircraft cannot possibly be loaded so that its centre of the gravity falls outside the approved range, observing all limitations on compartment loads.

Note 2   Some acceptable types of loading systems are given in the CASA publication titled ‘Weight Control of Aircraft’. Where the necessary limitations can be presented in placard form, such placards prominently displayed in the aircraft may be an acceptable type of loading system.

5 Load sheets

 5.1 Subject to paragraph 5.1.1, the requirements of this paragraph are applicable to aircraft having a maximum take-off weight exceeding 5 700 kg and all aircraft engaged in regular public transport operations.

 5.1.1 Paragraph 5.1 does not apply to an aircraft having a maximum take-off weight exceeding 5 700 kg while it is engaged in an aerial application operation.

 5.2 Except as provided in paragraph 5.2.1 and 5.2.2, the operator and the pilot in command shall ensure that a load sheet is completed prior to departure of the aircraft on each stage of every flight.

 5.2.1 Where the flight involves a number of stages, a supplementary load sheet based on the loading at the initial stage and accounting for all changes in the load may be used for each subsequent stage on the same day.

 5.2.2 Where a standard load is carried on a number of consecutive flights on the same day from the same aerodrome, a load sheet completed for the first flight will meet the requirements of paragraph 5.1 for the subsequent flights if there is no change in any condition which could adversely affect the performance of the aircraft.

 5.3 A load sheet shall contain the following and shall be signed by the pilot in command, the co-pilot or an approved load controller:

(a) name of pilot in command;

(b) date;

(c) aircraft type and registration marking;

(d) aerodromes of departure and destination;

(e) the aircraft’s empty weight;

(f) weights of:

 (i) occupants;

 (ii) cargo;

 (iii) removable equipment;

 (iv) fuel and consumables (e.g. water methanol);

(g) the loaded aircraft weight with evidence that the centre of gravity is within the approved limits;

(h) the maximum allowable weight for the flight having regard to the requirements of section 20.7.0.

 5.4 The operator and pilot shall ensure that the load sheet is carried in the aircraft and, in the case of aircraft engaged in regular public transport services, that a copy is retained on the ground at the aerodrome of departure.

 5.4.1 The operator shall retain a copy of each load sheet for a period of 3 months after the relevant flight.

7 Passenger lists

  When passengers are carried on a charter or regular public transport flight, the operator or the operator’s representative shall compile a passenger list and leave it for retention at the aerodrome of departure. The list shall contain the aircraft registration, the names of passengers carried, the date and estimated time of departure, and the places of embarkation and destination.

 

Note to Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1

Note 1

The Civil Aviation Order (in force under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988) as shown in this compilation comprises Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Orders

Year and
number

Date of notification
in Gazette/
registration on FRLI

Date of
commencement

Application, saving or
transitional provisions

CAO 2004 No. R15

8 December 2004

8 December 2004 (see s. 2)

 

CAO 20.16.1 2007 No. 1

FRLI 20 December 2007 (see F2007L04938)

21 December 2007 (see s. 2)

 

CAO (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1)

FRLI 29 August 2014 (see F2015L01177)

1 September 2014 (see s. 2)

Sections 3 and 31 (see Table A)

CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

FRL 29 June 2018 (see F2018L00962)

30 June 2018 (see s. 2)

 

 

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted     am. = amended     rep. = repealed     rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

s. 20.16.1

subs. 1

subs. 2

 

subs. 3, Note 1

 

subs. 5

 

subs. 6

subs. 7

rs. CAO 2004 No. R15

rs. CAO 20.16.1 2007 No. 1

am. CAO (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1), CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

am. CAO 20.16.1 2007 No. 1, CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

am. CAO (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1), CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

rep. CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

am. CAO 20.16.1 Amendment Instrument 2018 (No. 1)

 

Table A Application, saving or transitional provisions

 

Sections 3 and 31 of Civil Aviation Order (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1) read as follows:

 

3 Definitions

 (1) In this instrument:

continued authorisation has the meaning given by regulation 202.261 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998).

new authorisation has the meaning given by regulation 202.261 of CASR 1998.

 (2) A reference in this instrument to a Civil Aviation Order identified by a specified number is taken to include a reference to the section of the Civil Aviation Orders with that number.

Note   Some existing legislative instruments are referred to as a Civil Aviation Order followed by a number. Other instruments are referred to as a section of the Civil Aviation Orders. For consistency, in this instrument, all such instruments are referred to as a Civil Aviation Order followed by a number. For example, a reference to Civil Aviation Order 40.2.2 is taken to include a reference to section 40.2.2 of the Civil Aviation Orders.

31 Transitional — application of Civil Aviation Orders

  The Civil Aviation Orders apply to a continued authorisation as if it were the equivalent new authorisation.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1, enacted under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, applies to all Australian aircraft except balloons, and was introduced to ensure that aircraft are loaded and operated safely. This legislative instrument was prepared by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and addresses the need for standardised procedures and documentation in aircraft loading to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to facilitate efficient operations. CASA, as the regulatory body, has the policy objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation, and this Order specifically targets the critical aspect of aircraft loading to prevent accidents caused by improper weight distribution and imbalance. The Order mandates the use of approved loading systems, requires operators to complete and retain load sheets for all relevant flights, and stipulates the necessary information to be recorded on these documents to ensure safe operations. The Order also includes provisions for the preparation and retention of passenger lists for charter and public transport flights, which are essential for emergency response and passenger accountability. This legislative instrument is part of a series of amendments and repeals that reflect ongoing efforts to refine and update safety protocols in line with evolving aviation practices and technological advancements. The amendments to this Order aim to enhance clarity and enforceability of safety standards, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and compliant with current regulations.

Scope and Application

This Civil Aviation Order applies to all Australian aircraft except balloons and sets forth the requirements for the loading of these aircraft. The Order applies to the loading systems, load sheets, and passenger lists of aircraft, which must be managed by the operator and the pilot in command. The loading system must be approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or a Weight Control Authority. For aircraft with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 5,700 kg and those engaged in regular public transport operations, a load sheet must be completed before each flight stage, except in cases where a supplementary load sheet is used for subsequent stages on the same day or where a standard load is carried on consecutive flights without changes. A load sheet must be signed by the pilot in command, co-pilot, or an approved load controller, and it must contain specific information such as the aircraft type, registration marking, weights of occupants, cargo, and fuel, and the loaded aircraft weight. For charter or regular public transport flights, an operator must compile a passenger list with details such as the aircraft registration, passenger names, and flight details, which must be retained at the aerodrome of departure. The requirements of this Order may be extended or modified through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Order 20.16.1 (CAO) outlines key provisions for air service operations, specifically addressing aircraft loading requirements and procedures. This Order applies to all Australian aircraft, excluding balloons (section 1). It defines critical terms such as "Approved Loading System," "Load Sheet," and "Approved Load Controller" (section 2). The main operative sections include the requirement for an approved loading system (section 3) and the mandatory completion and retention of load sheets for aircraft exceeding a certain weight or engaged in public transport (section 5). Additionally, passenger lists must be compiled for charter or regular public transport flights and retained at the departure aerodrome (section 7). The obligations imposed by the CAO on operators and pilots are extensive. Operators and pilots must ensure that aircraft are loaded in accordance with the approved loading system, and load sheets are completed accurately before each flight stage (section 5). For aircraft with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 5,700 kg or those involved in regular public transport, a load sheet must be completed and signed by the pilot in command, co-pilot, or an approved load controller, detailing the aircraft’s weight and centre of gravity (section 5.3). Operators must also retain copies of load sheets for three months post-flight (section 5.4.1). For flights carrying passengers, a passenger list must be compiled and left at the departure aerodrome (section 7). Failure to comply with the CAO can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the CAO itself, non-compliance with related regulations under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 could result in penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment. The severity of these penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the breach, with higher penalties typically associated with more serious safety violations.

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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.