Explanatory Statement
Civil Aviation Act 1988
Civil Aviation Order 95.2 Repeal Order 2010
Purpose
The purpose of Civil Aviation Order 95.2 Repeal Order 2010 (the Repeal Order) is to repeal Civil Aviation Order 95.2 (CAO 95.2) consequential on the Civil Aviation Amendment Regulations 2010 (No. 1) (the Amendment Regulations). The Amendment Regulations modify certain safety rules in relation to operating on, and in the vicinity of, aerodromes.
Background — the Amendment Regulations
Commencing on 3 June 2010, new regulations 166A and 166B of the Amendment Regulations modify the safety rules for pilots of aircraft operated on the manoeuvring area of, or in the vicinity of, a non-controlled aerodrome, including for carrying out straight-in approaches. For such manoeuvring and flight, under new regulation 166C radio-qualified pilots of aircraft carrying VHF radios must make certain broadcasts on the relevant common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF).
Under new regulations 166D and 166E, with narrow exceptions, pilots of aircraft operated on the manoeuvring area of, or in the vicinity of, non-controlled (non‑towered) aerodromes that are certified, registered, designated non-controlled, or military aerodromes, may commit an offence if the aircraft is not carrying a radio and the pilot is not radio-qualified.
New regulation 167 modifies the safety rules for pilots of aircraft that are part of the aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes. A pilot may commit an offence if he or she carries out certain manoeuvres without air traffic control (ATC) authorisation, or if he or she fails to observe certain turning and tracking rules.
CAO 95.2 — legislative background
Under subsection 98 (5) of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act), the regulations may provide that CASA may issue a Civil Aviation Order (CAO) containing a direction, instruction, notification, permission, approval or authority. Under subregulation 5 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988), where CASA is empowered or required under CAR 1988 to issue any direction, instruction or notification, or to give any permission, approval or authority, CASA may do so by CAO.
Also, under paragraph 98 (5A) (a) of the Act, the regulations may, among other things, empower CASA to issue instruments in relation to matters affecting the safe navigation and operation of aircraft.
Under subregulation 308 (1) of CAR 1988, CASA may exempt aircraft, or persons in, on, or otherwise associated with the operation of the aircraft, from compliance with specified provisions of CAR 1988.
Under subregulation 308 (2) of CAR 1988, before making an exemption, CASA must take into account any relevant considerations relating to the interests of safety.
Under subregulation 308 (3) of CAR 1988, CASA may make an exemption subject to any condition specified in the exemption as being necessary in the interests of safety.
Under subregulations 308 (3A) and (3B), it is a strict liability offence to contravene a condition of an exemption that is being relied upon for an operation. Under subregulation 308 (4), an exemption is a disallowable instrument (and hence a legislative instrument).
CAO 95.2 — GAAP aerodromes
Previously, CAO 95.2 had the effect of exempting all aircraft operating at certain aerodromes from compliance with aspects of the former regulation 167 of CAR 1988 insofar as the regulation may have required prior authorisation for taxiing on the manoeuvring area outside the runway strips for those runways at the aerodromes nominated by ATC for take-off or landing. The aerodromes involved were the general aviation aerodrome procedures aerodromes (GAAP aerodromes) at Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden, Jandakot, Moorabbin and Parafield.
End of GAAP aerodromes
In July 2009, CASA introduced changes to procedures at the GAAP aerodromes. These changes included: a limitation on the number of aeroplanes operating simultaneously in a particular aerodrome traffic circuit; a requirement for all aircraft to obtain an ATC clearance to enter, cross or taxi along any runway; and changes to ATC hours of operation.
In addition, however, CASA also gave notice that all GAAP aerodromes would be required to introduce International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Class D airspace procedures (as modelled on ICAO and US FAA Class D airspace procedures) from 21 April 2010, later revised to 3 June 2010.
Effect on CAO 95.2
With the abolition of the GAAP aerodromes from 3 June 2010, and with the introduction of revised safety rules for manoeuvring at non-controlled aerodromes as mentioned above, CAO 95.2 is redundant and is, therefore, repealed.
Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (LIA)
Under subregulation 308 (4) of CAR 1988, an exemption is declared to be a disallowable instrument. Under subparagraph 6 (d) (i) of the LIA, an instrument is a legislative instrument for section 5 of the LIA if it is declared to be a disallowable instrument under legislation in force before the commencement of the LIA.
Additionally, under subsection 98 (5AAA), a CAO is a legislative instrument. Also, under subsection 98 (5AA) of the Act, an instrument issued under regulations empowered by paragraph 98 (5A) (a) is a legislative instrument if the instrument is expressed to apply in relation to a class of persons, aircraft or aeronautical products rather than to a particular person, aircraft or aeronautical product.
On both bases, therefore, the CAO Amendment is a legislative instrument and it is subject to tabling and disallowance in the Parliament under sections 38 and 42 of the LIA.
Consultation
Consultation under section 17 of the LIA has been carried out through the broader consultation process associated with making the Amendment Regulations which deal directly with changes to requirements at non-controlled aerodromes. The Amendment Regulations have been the subject of extensive industry consultation and review over the last 3 years, as described in more detail in section 3 of Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) 0908OS published for comment on 28 September 2009, and the Notice of Final Rule Making (NFRM) published on 9 April 2010.
Regulation Impact Statement (RIS)
The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not require preparation of a RIS in this case because the Repeal Order is of a minor or machinery nature consequential on the Amendment Regulations. The Amendment Regulations have been assessed as not being likely to add significantly to industry costs. OBPR has granted a RIS Exemption (reference 9691) for the changes made by the Amendment Regulations and the Repeal Order, because of its purely consequential nature, is considered to be covered by that also.
Commencement and making
The Repeal Order takes effect on 3 June 2010. It has been made by the Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, in accordance with subsection 73 (2) of the Act.
[Civil Aviation Order 95.2 Repeal Order 2010]