Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024

Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024

as amended

made under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and subregulations 5(1) and (1A) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.

This compilation was prepared on 9 July 2026 and includes amendment F2026L00923. It is a compilation of Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024, as amended and in force on 9 July 2026.

Prepared by the Legal Services Branch, Legal Division, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Canberra.

Compilation No. 2.

Contents

Page

1 Name

3 Repeal

4 Application — relevant aeroplanes

5 Interpretation

5A SAB flight permits

5B Certain relevant aeroplanes authorised to fly without certificate of airworthiness

5C Authorisation to perform duty without civil aviation authority

6 Exemptions

7 Conditions on special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate for light sport aircraft

8 General conditions

8A Lightweight aeroplanes — limitations on privileges of pilot authorisation, and pilot maintenance

9 Flight conditions

9A Controlled aerodromes, Class A, B, C or D airspace and restricted areas

9B Online self-assessment of medical fitness

9C Conditions — pilots holding current record of class 5 medical self‑declaration only

10 Flight height and separation limitations

11 Conditions relating to aerobatic manoeuvres for type certificated lightweight aeroplanes

12 Approval of flights

13 Transitional provisions

14 Savings Provision — Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026

Note to Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024

1 Name

 1.1 This instrument is Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024.

 1.2 This instrument may be cited as Civil Aviation Order 95.55.

 1.3 A reference in a CASA instrument (being an instrument issued by CASA under a statutory power to issue the instrument) to section 95.55 of the Civil Aviation Orders is taken to be a reference to this instrument.

3 Repeal

  This instrument is repealed at the end of 1 December 2027.

4 Application — relevant aeroplanes

 4.1 This Order applies to the following aeroplanes if they are listed with a sport aviation body:

(a) light sport aircraft (experimental);

(b) light sport aircraft (production);

(c) lightweight aeroplanes;

(d) ultralight aeroplanes;

(referred to in this Order as relevant aeroplanes).

Note   See definition of listed in paragraph 5.1.

 4.2 This Order does not apply to an aircraft to which Civil Aviation Order 95.10 or Civil Aviation Order 95.32 applies.

5 Interpretation

Note   In this Order, certain terms and expressions have the same meaning as they have in the Act and the regulations. These include: aircraft flight manual instructions, amateur-built aircraft, ASAO, authorised person, aviation safety radio frequency, certificate of airworthiness, exposition, flying training, inoperative, light sport aircraft, maximum take-off weight, modification/repair design approval, pilot certificate, restricted area, sport aviation body, special certificate of airworthiness, type certificated, VFR, VMC and VMC criteria.

 5.1 In this Order, unless the contrary intention appears:

acceptable correcting lenses means correcting lenses (which may be a pair of spectacles or a combination of contact lenses and a pair of spectacles) to satisfy the requirements of item 1.36 of table 67.150 of CASR.

Act means the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

automatic ELT has the meaning given by section 26.50 of the Part 91 MOS.

aviation English language proficiency assessment has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.

Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) means a certificate issued by CASA to a person, under a legislative instrument made by CASA, on the basis that the person meets the medical standard basic class 2, as the medical standard exists at the time CASA issues the certificate.

Note   At the time of making Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026, an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) is issued under CASA EX11/25 — Medical Certification (Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2025 (freely available to view or download at <https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00270>).

Aviation Medical Guidelines means the document entitled Guidelines – Medical Assessment for Aviation, as published by CASA from time to time.

Note   At the time of making Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026, version 1.1 (dated September 2025) of the Guidelines – Medical Assessment for Aviation was freely available to view or download on CASA’s website at <https://casa.gov.au>.

CAO 20.18 means Civil Aviation Order 20.18, as in force immediately before the commencement of the Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (Flight Operations—Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2021.

close relative, of a person, means the spouse or a parent, child or sibling of the person.

competent issuing authority, in relation to a certificate, approval or other document for an aeroplane, means the NAA of a Contracting State or any other body that CASA has accepted in writing as competent to issue such documents for such aeroplanes.

conditional private driver licence means a private driver licence issued by a driver licensing authority of a State or Territory as a conditional licence in accordance with a law in force in the State or Territory and that is issued subject to any of the following conditions:

(a) that the holder must wear correcting lenses at all times while driving;

(b) that the holder is only authorised to drive during daylight hours;

(c) that the holder must drive only a motor vehicle that is fitted with a specified driver aid or that is modified as directed by the driver licensing authority or as printed on the licence;

(d) that the driver is regularly medically assessed for fitness to drive.

controlled aerodrome endorsement has the same meaning as in Division 61.G.2 of CASR.

controlled airspace endorsement has the same meaning as in Division 61.G.2 of CASR.

current:

(a) for an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) — means the period beginning from when the certificate is issued by CASA and ending at the time and date of expiry, as recorded on the certificate; and

(b) for a class 1 medical certificate — has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR; and

(c) for a class 2 medical certificate — has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR; and

(d) for a record of class 5 medical self-declaration, means:

 (i) the renewal date specified in the record has not passed; and

 (ii) the person to whom CASA gave the record has not been required to surrender the record for one of the reasons mentioned in paragraph 9C.4;

(e) for a recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate — has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR; and

(f) for an aviation English language proficiency assessment — has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.

disqualifying medical condition means any of the following:

(a) epilepsy and other seizure disorders, or diseases that could cause seizures;

(b) blackouts or other sudden alterations of consciousness, or diseases that could cause these;

(c) insulin-treated diabetes;

(d) high-risk pregnancy;

(e) lung disease that requires oxygen therapy;

(f) intracranial malignancies;

(g) visual field or visual acuity that does not meet the private vehicle driver standards set out in the publication Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers, as existing from time to time;

Note   At the time of making Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026, the publication titled Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers, 6th edition, 2022 is freely available by searching for the publication title on the Austroads Publications page, located at <https://austroads.gov.au/publications>.

(h) hearing loss that means the person is unable to understand conversational voice at a distance of 2 metres at the time of the assessment, whether unaided or with the assistance of a medically prescribed hearing aid;

(i) any neurological or other functional impairment that causes the person not to be able to operate the flight controls safely in all circumstances when in the flying environment;

(j) any musculoskeletal disability, disorder or disease of the bones, joints, muscles, or tendons, which would limit or restrict the normal manipulation of aircraft controls, or would require physical modifications to the aircraft to enable appropriate manipulation of the controls;

(k) any other abnormality, disability, or disease (active or latent) or injury that can become suddenly and unpredictably safety-relevant in the flying environment;

(l) any other medical condition that makes a person unable to safely perform all required aspects of the flying task that the person intends to perform;

(m) any disease or condition that reduces the capacity of a person to undertake the online self-assessment of medical fitness process, including to make a declaration or give an undertaking as part of that process, including, but not limited to, the following:

 (i) dementia or other memory disorders, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Lewy Body dementia;

 (ii) psychotic disorders or psychiatric diseases with psychotic features, including, but not limited to, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder;

 (iii) any other disease that includes cognitive impairment or decline as a known part of the natural history of the disease, including, but not limited to, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury.

disqualifying medication or substance means any of the following medications or substances that, if taken or used regularly at the dosage or amount taken by the person concerned, may reduce the person’s capacity to safely perform all required aspects of the flying task that the person intends to perform, or to undertake the online self-assessment of medical fitness process (including making a declaration or giving an undertaking as part of that process):

(a) benzodiazepines and other sedatives, including, but not limited to, diazepam and alprazolam;

(b) antipsychotics, including, but not limited to, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole;

(c) tricyclic antidepressants, including, but not limited to, amitriptyline;

(d) mood stabilising medications, including, but not limited to, lithium and sodium valproate;

(e) narcotic analgesics, including, but not limited to, hydromorphone, codeine, morphine, and oxycodone;

(f) pain-modifying medications, including, but not limited to, gabapentin and pregabalin;

(g) Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol;

(h) 6-Acetyl morphine;

(i) Amphetamine;

(j) Benzoylecgonine;

(k) Cocaine;

(l) Codeine;

(m) Dexamphetamine;

(n) Methylamphetamine;

(o) Methylenedioxyamphetamine;

(p) Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine;

(q) Morphine;

(r) any medication that causes the pilot to have an alteration in sensory function, motor function or cognition.

flight radio endorsement has the same meaning as in Division 61.G.2 of CASR.

flying instructor authorisation, in relation to a relevant aeroplane, means an authorisation, however described, that:

(a) is issued to a person (the holder) by the relevant sport aviation body in accordance with its operations manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition; and

(b) confers privileges on the holder to conduct flying training in the aeroplane.

kit-built aeroplane means:

(a) in the case of a light sport aircraft — an aeroplane that:

 (i) has been assembled from a kit manufactured by a qualified manufacturer and in relation to which the applicant can give the information, statement and documents required by paragraph 21.193(e) of CASR; and

 (ii) has been assembled in accordance with the kit manufacturer’s instructions for assembling the aeroplane; and

 (iii) is of the same make and model as an aeroplane covered by regulation 21.186 of CASR that has been issued with a special certificate of airworthiness; and

(b) in any other case — an aeroplane that has been assembled by a person who undertook the assembly solely for the person’s own education or recreation from a kit supplied by a commercial manufacturer.

light sport aircraft (experimental) means a light sport aircraft:

(a) that is an aeroplane; and

(b) to which paragraph 21.191(j) or (k) of CASR applies; and

(c) for which an experimental certificate:

 (i) is in force under regulation 21.195A of CASR; or

 (ii) would be in force were it not for the operation of subregulation 21.195B(4) of CASR.

light sport aircraft (production) means a light sport aircraft:

(a) that is an aeroplane; and

(b) that was manufactured by a qualified manufacturer within the meaning of regulation 21.172 of CASR; and

(c) for which a special certificate of airworthiness issued for a light sport aircraft covered by regulation 21.186 of CASR is in force, or would be in force were it not for the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR.

lightweight aeroplane means an aeroplane (other than a light sport aircraft or ultralight aeroplane):

(a) that is a single-place or two-place aeroplane; and

(b) that has a single engine and a single propeller; and

(d) that has a maximum take-off weight:

 (i) if it is not equipped to operate on water — greater than 600 kilograms but not exceeding 760 kilograms; or

 (ii) if it is equipped to operate on water — greater than 650 kilograms but not exceeding 760 kilograms; and

(e) for which:

 (i) a certificate of airworthiness is in force under regulation 21.176 of CASR, or would be in force were it not for the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR; or

 (ii) in the case of an amateur-built or kit-built aeroplane — an experimental certificate is in force under regulation 21.195A of CASR, or would be in force were it not for the operation of subregulation 21.195B(4) of CASR.

listed: an aeroplane is listed with a sport aviation body if:

(a) the sport aviation body’s approved function is or includes administering the aeroplane; and

(b) the sport aviation body holds a record of:

 (i) a description of the aeroplane (by reference to its make, model and serial number or construction number) and the identity of the aeroplane’s operator; and

 (ii) the identifying mark issued for the aeroplane by the sport aviation body in accordance with its operations manual or technical manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition; and

(c) in the case of a Part 149 aircraft within the meaning of the Part 149 Manual of Standards — the aeroplane is registered with an ASAO in accordance with section 14 of the Part 149 Manual of Standards.

medical condition — see paragraph 5.3.

medically significant condition has the meaning given by subregulation 67.010(1) of CASR.

medical practitioner means a person entitled to practice as a medical practitioner under a law of a State or Territory.

medical standard basic class 2 means the commercial vehicle driver medical standards that apply to drivers of heavy vehicles, public passenger vehicles or vehicles carrying dangerous goods, published by Austroads, without conditions or restrictions other than a requirement to wear glasses or a hearing aid.

Note   At the time of making Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026, the commercial vehicle driver medical standards mentioned in the definition of medical standard basic class 2 are included in the publication titled Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers, 6th edition, 2022. That publication is freely available by searching for the publication title on the Austroads Publications page, located at <https://austroads.gov.au/publications>.

NAA, of a Contracting State, means the national airworthiness authority of the Contracting State.

needs correcting lenses, in relation to a person, means a person:

(a) who would fail to qualify for a record of class 5 medical self-declaration where the only medical condition causing such a failure would relate solely to the person’s ophthalmic condition for which the normal use of prescribed refractive correcting lenses is the only medical requirement; and

(b) whose visual acuity is corrected by their lenses to:

 (i) at least 6/12 in 1 eye; and

 (ii) at least 6/18 in the other eye; and

 (iii) at least 6/12 in both eyes together; and

(c) whose record of class 5 medical self-declaration includes the following information:

  “The person to whom this record of class 5 medical self-declaration relates must wear correcting lenses at all times when relying on this medical self‑declaration in the exercise of functions and privileges for aviation purposes.”.

online self-assessment of medical fitness process means the process described in subsection 9B.

Note   The steps in the online self-assessment of medical fitness process, listed in subsection 9B, include a requirement that the person involved is provided with a copy of the Aviation Medical Guidelines.

operations manual, in relation to the relevant sport aviation body for a relevant aeroplane, means the manual, approved from time to time by CASA, that contains the practices, procedures, instructions and other information by which the sport aviation body ensures the operational safety of the aeroplane in accordance with the civil aviation legislation.

operative, for anything, means that the thing is not inoperative.

Order means Civil Aviation Order.

Part 61-equivalent controlled aerodrome endorsement, in relation to a pilot authorisation, means an endorsement issued by RAAus in accordance with requirements that are, under the RAAus exposition, equivalent to the standards for:

(a) a controlled aerodrome endorsement issued under Part 61 of CASR; and

(b) a flight radio endorsement issued under Part 61 of CASR.

Note 1   The controlled aerodrome endorsement standards under Part 61 of CASR are mentioned in Appendix G.5 of Schedule 1, and in Schedule 2, to the Part 61 MOS.

Note 2   The flight radio endorsement standards under Part 61 of CASR are mentioned in Appendix G.7 of Schedule 1, and in Schedule 2, to the Part 61 MOS.

Part 61-equivalent controlled airspace endorsement, in relation to a pilot authorisation, means an endorsement issued by RAAus in accordance with requirements, under the RAAus exposition, equivalent to the standards for:

(a) a controlled airspace endorsement issued under Part 61 of CASR; and

(b) a flight radio endorsement issued under Part 61 of CASR.

Note 1   The controlled airspace endorsement standards under Part 61 of CASR are mentioned in Appendix G.6 of Schedule 1, and in Schedule 2, to the Part 61 MOS.

Note 2   The flight radio endorsement standards under Part 61 of CASR are mentioned in Appendix G.7 of Schedule 1, and in Schedule 2, to the Part 61 MOS.

Part 61 MOS means the Part 61 Manual of Standards Instrument 2014, as in force from time to time.

Part 91 MOS means the Part 91 Manual of Standards.

pilot authorisation means a pilot certificate, or a rating or endorsement on a pilot certificate, and includes, without limitation, a flying instructor authorisation.

pilot authorisation applicant means a person who has applied to RAAus for the grant of a pilot authorisation (whether or not the person has applied after a pilot authorisation they held was cancelled).

private driver licence means a private driver licence issued by a driver licensing authority of a State or Territory in accordance with a law in force in the State or Territory authorising the holder to drive:

(a) a motor vehicle with a maximum loaded mass that is not greater than 4.5 tonnes and that is constructed or equipped to seat not more than 12 adults (including the driver); or

(b) a car-based motor tricycle; or

(c) a motor bike; or

(d) a motor trike (other than a car-based motor tricycle) that does not have a body type commonly known as, or similar to, a sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible, roadster, utility, tray top or van; or

(e) any tractor or implement.

problematic use of a substance means the use of one or more psychoactive substances by aviation personnel in a way that:

(a) constitutes a direct hazard to the user or endangers the lives, health or welfare of others; or

(b) causes or worsens an occupational, social, mental or physical problem or disorder.

Note   This definition is based on the definition of Problematic use of substances in section 1.1 of Annex 1, Personnel Licensing, to the Chicago Convention.

psychoactive substance means:

(a) alcohol; or

(b) opioids; or

(c) cannabinoids; or

(d) sedatives and hypnotics; or

(e) cocaine; or

(f) any other psychostimulants, hallucinogens, and volatile solvents, excluding caffeine or nicotine.

Note   This definition is based on the definition of Psychoactive substances in section 1.1 of Annex 1, Personnel Licensing, to the Chicago Convention.

RAAus means Recreational Aviation Australia Limited.

RAAus appointed person, in relation to the inspection of a record of class 5 medical self‑declaration, means a person who:

(a) is appointed by RAAus in its capacity as an ASAO to perform an approved function on its behalf; and

(b) has duties and responsibilities, set out in the RAAus exposition for an appointed person, conducting audits or surveillance in relation to an approved function of RAAus mentioned in section 20 or 21 of the Part 149 Manual of Standards.

Note 1   Under subsection 149.220(2) of CASR, an ASAO must maintain a register containing particular information for each person appointed by the ASAO to perform an approved function on behalf of the ASAO.

Note 2   Subsection 20(1) of the Part 149 Manual of Standards prescribes the aviation administration function of administering the flight operations of a Part 149 aircraft, including authorising individuals to perform a duty essential to the operation of the aircraft. Subsections 20(2) to (6) set out the scope of the function, along with activities and authorisations administered under the function. Subsection 21(1) prescribes the aviation administration function of administering a person that conducts flying training, or flight tests, in relation to a Part 149 aircraft (a Part 149 flying training organisation). Subsections 21(2) to (4) set out the following:

(a) the scope of the function;

(b) under the function, a person may be authorised to be a Part 149 flying training organisation that, for the aircraft, does one or more of the activities mentioned in subsection (3);

(c) the circumstances in which a Part 149 training organisation conducts flying training, or a flight test, in relation to the aircraft.

RAAus restricted pilot means a person who:

(a) holds a student pilot certificate, a converting pilot certificate or a pilot certificate, issued by or under the delegated authority of RAAus; and

(b) is authorised to fly a solo flight by a person approved by RAAus, in accordance with the RAAus exposition, to conduct flying training.

record of class 5 medical self-declaration, in relation to a person, means a document given to the person by CASA to acknowledge that the person has successfully completed the online self-assessment of medical fitness process.

recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.

regularly taking or using, in relation to the taking or using of a medication or substance by a particular person, means taking or using the medication or substance on most days, in circumstances in which the disease or symptoms for which the person is taking or using the medication or substance can be expected to become significantly worse if the medication or substance is not taken or used on most days.

relevant aeroplane means an aeroplane to which this Order applies under subsection 4.

relevant sport aviation body, in relation to an aeroplane, person or activity means a sport aviation body whose approved function is, or includes, administering the aeroplane, person or activity (whether or not the sport aviation body is an ASAO).

renewal date, in relation to a person’s record of class 5 medical self-declaration, means the date specified in it as the date when the self-declaration ends (unless the person has been earlier required to surrender the self-declaration), which will be:

(a) 5 years after the date of successful completion of the self-assessment process set out in subsection 9B — in the case of a person who was younger than 40 when that process was successfully completed and does not also hold a conditional private driver licence; or

(b) 2 years after the date of successful completion — in the case of a person:

 (i) who was younger than 40 when that process was successfully completed and who holds a conditional private driver licence; or

 (ii) who was between 40 and 75 years old when that process was successfully completed; or

(c) 1 year after the date of successful completion — in the case of a person who was 75 years old or older when that process was successfully completed.

SAB flight permit: see subsection 5A.

safety‑relevant, in relation to a medical condition, means a condition that reduces, or is likely to reduce, the ability of someone who has it to:

(a) in the case of a RAAus restricted pilot — conduct a solo flight; or

(b) in the case of a pilot authorisation applicant — undertake a flight test in an aircraft; or

(c) in the case of a person who holds a pilot authorisation — exercise the privileges of the authorisation in a single-pilot operation in an aircraft.

single-place aeroplane means an aeroplane that has been designed, manufactured or certificated to carry only the pilot and no other persons.

SSR has the meaning given by section 26.67 of the Part 91 MOS.

successfully completed the online self-assessment of medical fitness process — see subsection 9B.

suitable landing area means an area in which a relevant aeroplane may be landed without endangering the safety, or damaging the property, of persons unconnected with the operation of the aeroplane.

surveillance equipment has the meaning given by section 26.67 of the Part 91 MOS.

survival ELT has the meaning given by section 26.51 of the Part 91 MOS.

technical manual means the manual issued by a relevant sport aviation body and approved in writing from time to time by CASA that contains:

(a) airworthiness, design and maintenance standards; and

(b) aeronautical practices and test procedures and processes;

in accordance with the civil aviation legislation, for aeroplanes listed with the sport aviation body.

transponder has the meaning given by section 26.67 of the Part 91 MOS.

two-place aeroplane means an aeroplane that has been designed, manufactured or certificated to carry the pilot and no more than one other person.

ultralight aeroplane means an aeroplane (other than a light sport aircraft or lightweight aeroplane) that:

(a) is a single-place or two-place aeroplane; and

(b) has a single engine and a single propeller; and

(c) has a Vs0 stall speed not exceeding 45 knots; and

(d) has a maximum take-off weight not exceeding:

 (i) if it is not equipped to operate on water — 600 kilograms; or

 (ii) if it is equipped to operate on water — 650 kilograms; and

(e) is one of the following:

 (i) an aeroplane to which Schedule 1 to Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. R92) 2004 (also known as section 101.28 of the Civil Aviation Orders), as in force from time to time, applies, that meets the design standards specified in that Schedule;

 (ii) an aeroplane mentioned in paragraph 1.1 of Schedule 1 to the Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. R94) 2004 (also known as section 101.55 of the Civil Aviation Orders), as in force on 31 May 2016;

 (iii) an aeroplane mentioned in paragraph 1.2 of Schedule 1 to the Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. R94) 2004 (also known as section 101.55 of the Civil Aviation Orders), as in force on 31 May 2016, that meets the design standards specified in that Schedule;

 (iv) an aeroplane to which Air Navigation Order section 95.25 as in force on 25 March 1985 applies (known as an old section 95.25 aeroplane);

 (v) an amateur-built or kit-built aeroplane;

 (vi) an aeroplane:

(A) of a type for which a type certificate, a certificate of type approval or equivalent document has been issued by a competent issuing authority; and

(B) that has been manufactured for sale by the holder of a certificate or equivalent document, permitting the manufacture of aeroplanes of that type, issued by CASA or a competent issuing authority.

Vs0 stall speed, as determined by design standards or certification requirements for an aeroplane, is the stalling speed, or minimum steady flight speed, at which the aeroplane is controllable with:

(a) wing flaps in the landing position; and

(b) landing gear extended; and

(c) engine idling with the throttle closed; and

(d) centre of gravity in the most forward position; and

(e) maximum take-off weight.

 5.2 A reference in this Order to a class of airspace is a reference to the volumes of airspace of that class, as determined by CASA in the Determination of Airspace and Controlled Aerodromes, Etc. (Designated Airspace Handbook) Instrument, as in force from time to time.

 5.3 A reference in this Order to a medical condition (other than pregnancy, a consequence of pregnancy or the termination of a pregnancy) includes both such a condition that is congenital and one that is the result of injury or illness.

5A SAB flight permits

 5A.1 In this Order:

SAB flight permit, in relation to a relevant aeroplane, means an authorisation, however described that is issued by the relevant sport aviation body in accordance with its operations manual or technical manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition, that confirms the sport aviation body’s oversight of the aeroplane’s operation.

Note   Lightweight aeroplanes and light sport aircraft are not eligible to be issued with SAB flight permits.

 5A.2 Despite paragraph 5A.1, an SAB flight permit cannot be issued in relation to an amateur-built or kit-built aeroplane unless a test flight of the aeroplane is first successfully completed in accordance with a test flight permit issued by the relevant sport aviation body that complies with the following requirements:

(a) the test flight permit must be issued in accordance with any applicable provisions of the sport aviation body’s operations manual or technical manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition;

(b) the test flight permit must specify:

 (i) that the test flight is to be conducted solely for the purpose of test flying for the issue of an SAB flight permit; and

 (ii) that the aeroplane conducting the test flight may carry on board only those persons whose presence is essential to that purpose; and

 (iii) the area to which the test flight is confined.

 5A.3 For the purposes of this Order, but without limitation, an SAB flight permit is taken to be in force for an aeroplane that is an ultralight aeroplane for which a certificate of airworthiness, or an SAB flight permit issued by the relevant sport aviation body, is not already in force if:

(a) on 1 December 2023, the aeroplane is listed with a relevant sport aviation body; and

(b) the aeroplane remains listed with the sport aviation body.

5B Certain relevant aeroplanes authorised to fly without certificate of airworthiness

 5B.1 Subject to the other subsections in this Order, a relevant aeroplane to which paragraph 5B.2 applies is, for the purposes of regulation 200.020 of CASR (and for those purposes only), an Australian aircraft that is exempt from CASR (other than Parts 1, 11, 21, 33, 35, 61, 67, 91, 92, 99 and 149).

Note   The effect of this provision is that, under regulation 200.020 of CASR, for the purposes of paragraph 20AA(3)(b) of the Act, such an aeroplane is authorised to fly without a certificate of airworthiness.

 5B.2 This paragraph applies to an aeroplane if:

(a) an SAB flight permit is in force in relation to the aeroplane; or

(b) the aeroplane:

 (i) was issued a certificate of airworthiness under regulation 21.176 of CASR, or an experimental certificate under regulation 21.195A of CASR; and

 (ii) the certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate is not in force only because of the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) or subregulation 21.195B(4) of CASR.

5C Authorisation to perform duty without civil aviation authority

 5C.1 Subject to the conditions in this Order, for the purposes of paragraph 20AB(1)(b) of the Act, a person performing a duty that is essential to the operation of a relevant aeroplane during flight time is authorised to do so without a civil aviation authorisation mentioned in paragraph 20AB(1)(a) of the Act.

 5C.2 Despite paragraph 5C.1, a person who makes an airborne radio transmission on an aeronautical HF frequency must be authorised to transmit using an aeronautical radio under Part 61 or Part 64 of CASR.

6 Exemptions

 6.1 A person who would, but for this subsection, have an obligation in relation to a relevant aeroplane described in an item in Table 1 under a provision of the regulations mentioned in column 2 for the item is exempt from complying with the obligation subject to:

(a) any conditions mentioned in column 3 for the provision; and

(b) the conditions in this Order.

Note   Other than in accordance with paragraph 6.3, persons are not exempted from Parts 4 to 4D of CAR in relation to lightweight aeroplanes. However, CASA 18/22 — Maintenance (Certain Amateur-built, Kit‑built and Light Sport Aircraft) Instrument 2022 authorises certain persons involved in the fabrication or assembly of certain amateur-built and kit-built aircraft to carry out maintenance on such aircraft in Australian territory, and to perform certain functions in respect of maintenance of such aircraft, subject to conditions.

 6.2 In Table 1:

general CASR exempted provisions means the following provisions of CASR:

(a) regulations 91.105, 91.110, 91.115, 91.145, 91.155, 91.190, 91.210, 91.267, 91.415, 91.425, 91.550, 91.585, 91.590, 91.595, 91.605, 91.615, 91.725 and 91.915;

(b) Subpart 91.Y;

(c) Parts 13, 45, 47, 64 and 90.

 6.3 The operator of, and the pilot in command of, a lightweight aeroplane is exempt from subregulation 42ZC(1) of CAR to the extent that the subregulation requires that the person must not authorise or permit maintenance to be carried out on the lightweight aeroplane in Australian territory by a person who:

(a) does not meet the requirements of subparagraph 42ZC(4)(d)(i) of CAR to carry out the maintenance; and

(b) holds the pilot authorisation mentioned in paragraph 8A.2; and

(c) carries out the maintenance in accordance with paragraph 8A.2.

7 Conditions on special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate for light sport aircraft

 7.1 The following conditions apply in relation to a light sport aircraft to which this Order applies under subsection 4:

(a) a person must not operate the light sport aircraft after the earliest of the following events in relation to the special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate for the aircraft:

 (i) the end of the validity period, if any, mentioned in the certificate;

 (ii) suspension of the certificate;

 (iii) cancellation of the certificate;

 (iv) a modification being made to the aeroplane that was not authorised by the manufacturer;

 (v) the aircraft no longer complies with light sport aircraft standards as defined by regulation 21.172 of CASR;

(b) the holder of the special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate must, on request by CASA or an authorised person, make the certificate available for inspection by CASA or the authorised person;

(c) if the special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate expires or is cancelled or suspended, the holder must, at the written request of CASA or an authorised person, surrender the certificate to CASA or the authorised person.

 7.2 CASA or an authorised person may suspend or cancel the special certificate of airworthiness or experimental certificate if CASA or the authorised person considers it necessary to do so in the interests of aviation safety.

8 General conditions

Note   CASA may, by an approval under subsection 12, authorise a person to fly a relevant aeroplane otherwise than in accordance with a condition in this subsection.

 8.1 The general conditions in paragraphs 8.2 to 8.14 apply in relation to a relevant aeroplane.

 8.2 A relevant aeroplane must be listed with:

(a) in the case of a lightweight aeroplane — a relevant sport aviation body that is an ASAO; or

(b) in any other case — a relevant sport aviation body.

Note   A lightweight aeroplane can only be listed with an ASAO.

 8.3 A relevant aeroplane must not be used for the carriage of passengers or cargo for hire or reward.

 8.4 A relevant aeroplane must not be used unless it is for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) private operations including glider towing, but not including an aerial application operation within the meaning of regulation 137.010 of CASR;

(b) the aerial inspection, conducted as a private operation, of livestock, fencing or farm or pastoral equipment that is located on land owned by, or under the control of, the pilot or a close relative of the pilot;

(c) in the case of a two-place ultralight aeroplane to which subparagraph (e)(ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) of the definition of ultralight aeroplane (in paragraph 5.1) applies — flying training to enable a person to obtain a pilot certificate, rating or endorsement;

(d) in the case of a two-place aeroplane for which a certificate of airworthiness is in force under regulation 21.176 of CASR, or would be in force were it not for the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR — flying training to enable a person to obtain a pilot certificate, rating or endorsement;

(e) in the case of a two-place aeroplane that is an amateur-built aeroplane, a kit-built aeroplane or an aeroplane for which an experimental certificate is in force under regulation 21.195A of CASR, or would be in force were it not for the operation of subregulation 21.195B(4) — flying training to enable:

 (i) any owner or part-owner who contributed to its fabrication and assembly to obtain a pilot certificate, rating or endorsement; or

 (ii) any owner or part-owner who did not contribute to its fabrication and assembly to obtain a rating or endorsement.

 8.5 Subject to any other conditions in this Order, a person must not operate a relevant aeroplane as pilot in command unless the person:

(a) holds a pilot authorisation granted by the relevant sport aviation body; and

(b) operates the aeroplane in accordance with the privileges and limitations of the pilot authorisation (including, in the case of a lightweight aeroplane, the limitations mentioned in subsection 8A); and

(c) operates the aeroplane in accordance with any applicable requirements or provisions of the relevant sport aviation body’s operations manual or technical manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition.

 8.6 If a relevant aeroplane is used for flying training, the person conducting the training must hold a flying instructor authorisation that authorises the holder to exercise flight instruction privileges in relation to the aeroplane.

 8.7 A person must not operate a type certificated ultralight aeroplane that has been repaired, or modified to differ from its type design, unless the repair or modification is:

(a) designed in accordance with 1 of the following:

 (i) an approval under regulation 35 of CAR, as in force before 27 June 2011;

 (ii) a modification/repair design approval;

 (iii) an approval mentioned in regulation 21.475 of CASR;

 (iv) an approval under regulation 21.465 or 21.470 of CASR;

 (v) a CASA specification in or under an airworthiness directive;

 (vi) a specification in the aeroplane’s approved maintenance data;

 (vii) an RAAus approval in accordance with a process for the approval of modifications and repairs specified in the RAAus exposition — but only if:

(A) RAAus is the relevant sport aviation body; and

(B) a certificate of airworthiness under regulation 21.176 of CASR is not in force for the aeroplane (other than because of the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR); and

(b) carried out in accordance with the approval or the specified design.

Note   Sub-subparagraph 8.7(a)(vii) does not apply to the modification or repair of a type certificated ultralight aeroplane if a certificate of airworthiness under regulation 21.176 of CASR is in force or would be in force but for the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR.

 8.8 A person must not operate a type certificated lightweight aeroplane that has been repaired, or modified to differ from its type design, unless the repair or modification is:

(a) designed in accordance with:

 (i) an approval under regulation 35 of CAR, as in force before 27 June 2011; or

 (ii) a modification/repair design approval; or

 (iii) an approval mentioned in regulation 21.475 of CASR; or

 (iv) an approval under regulation 21.465 or 21.470 of CASR; or

 (v) a CASA specification in or under an airworthiness directive; or

 (vi) a specification in the aeroplane’s approved maintenance data; and

(b) carried out in accordance with the approved or specified design.

 8.9 A person operating an amateur-built or kit-built relevant aeroplane must ensure that:

(a) the aeroplane was inspected before its initial flight by a person authorised under paragraph 8.13; and

(b) if any condition or operational limitation has been imposed under paragraph 8.14 — the aeroplane is operated subject to that condition or limitation.

 8.10 Regulation 91.875 of CASR (except paragraphs 91.875(2)(d) and (i)) applies in relation to ultralight aeroplane (other than a type certificated ultralight aeroplane) as if the ultralight aeroplane were an experimental aircraft and an experimental certificate were in force for the aeroplane.

 8.11 A person maintaining a relevant aeroplane, other than a lightweight aeroplane, must hold the qualifications for the maintenance activity required by, and maintain the aeroplane in accordance with any applicable requirements or provisions of, the sport aviation body’s operations manual or technical manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition.

 8.12 Subject to paragraph 8A.2, a lightweight aeroplane must be maintained in accordance with Part 4A of CAR.

Note   Other than in accordance with paragraph 6.3, persons are not exempted from Parts 4 to 4D of CAR in relation to lightweight aeroplanes. However, CASA 18/22 — Maintenance (Certain Amateur-built, Kit-built and Light Sport Aircraft) Instrument 2022 authorises certain persons involved in the fabrication or assembly of certain amateur-built and kit-built aircraft to carry out maintenance on such aircraft in Australian territory, and to perform certain functions in respect of maintenance of such aircraft, subject to conditions.

 8.13 For subparagraph 8.9(a), a person must be authorised to inspect the amateur‑built, or the kit-built, aeroplane before its initial flight, by:

(a) the relevant sport aviation body’s:

 (i) operations manual or technical manual; or

 (ii) if the relevant body is an ASAO — exposition; or

(b) CASA.

 8.14 For the purposes of regulation 11.245 of CASR, a person who inspects an aeroplane under paragraph 8.9 is directed to impose any conditions or operational limitations in relation to the operation of the aeroplane that the person considers necessary to preserve a level of aviation safety that is at least acceptable.

 8.15 The direction mentioned in paragraph 8.14 ceases to be in force at the end of 1 December 2027.

8A Lightweight aeroplanes — limitations on privileges of pilot authorisation, and pilot maintenance

 8A.1 The holder of a pilot authorisation issued in relation to a lightweight aeroplane by the relevant ASAO may exercise the privileges of the authorisation only if the holder is competent in operating the aeroplane to the standards developed for the class or type of aeroplane by the ASAO, including in all of the following areas:

(a) operating the aeroplane’s navigation and operating systems;

(b) conducting all normal, abnormal and emergency flight procedures for the aeroplane;

(c) applying operating limitations;

(d) weight and balance requirements;

(e) applying aeroplane performance data, including take-off and landing performance data, for the aeroplane.

 8A.2 The holder of a pilot authorisation issued in relation to a lightweight aeroplane by the relevant ASAO may carry out maintenance on the lightweight aeroplane in Australian territory if:

(a) it is a privilege of the pilot authorisation for the holder to operate the lightweight aeroplane as pilot in command; and

(b) the maintenance is relevant maintenance; and

(c) the maintenance is carried out in accordance with any requirements set out in a legislative instrument issued by CASA for the purposes of subparagraph 42ZC(4)(d)(iii) of CAR.

 8A.3 In this section:

relevant ASAO, for an aeroplane, means the ASAO that performs aviation administration functions in relation to the aeroplane.

relevant maintenance means maintenance mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 8 of CAR, other than in items 19 and 25.

9 Flight conditions

Note 1   Regulation 91.285 of CASR additionally requires a person to hold an approval under regulation 91.045 of CASR to conduct a VFR flight in Class A airspace.

Note 2   Certain ultralight aeroplanes operated by approved flight training schools may operate in Class D airspace in accordance with CASA EX65/25 — Flight of Certain Ultralight Aeroplanes in Class D Airspace (Approved Flight Training Schools) Instrument 2025.

Flight conditions — general

 9.1 The following flight conditions apply in relation to a relevant aeroplane:

(a) a relevant aeroplane may only be flown in VMC and in accordance with the VFR;

(b) a relevant aeroplane may only be flown during daylight hours;

(c) subject to subparagraph (d), a relevant aeroplane must not conduct aerobatic manoeuvres;

(d) a type certificated lightweight aeroplane may conduct aerobatic manoeuvres, provided they are conducted in accordance with subsection 11;

(e) any cargo carried on board a flight by a relevant aeroplane must be securely restrained;

(f) a relevant aeroplane must not be flown at a height of less than 500 feet AGL unless the conditions in paragraphs 10.1 to 10.3 are satisfied;

(fa) a relevant aeroplane must not be flown:

 (i) at a height of 5 000 feet above mean sea level or higher; or

 (ii) in the VMC criteria specified in item 4 of Table 2.07(3) of the Part 91 MOS;

 unless it is equipped with, or carries, serviceable radiocommunications equipment and the pilot is authorised or qualified to use it;

(fb) a relevant aeroplane must not be flown at a height of 10 000 feet above mean sea level or higher;

(g) a relevant aeroplane must not be flown above a body of water at a horizontal distance from a suitable landing area of more than:

 (i) the distance that the aircraft could glide in case of engine failure; or

 (ii) if all persons on board the aircraft are wearing life jackets and the aircraft is equipped with a serviceable radiocommunication system and an automatic ELT or survival ELT:

(A) 25 nautical miles; or

(B) in the case of a flight between Tasmania and mainland Australia in either direction — a longer route if taking advantage of safer weather conditions;

(h) a two-place relevant aeroplane that is flown over water or more than 50 nautical miles from its departure point must carry an automatic ELT or survival ELT;

(i) a relevant aeroplane must not be flown over a populous area or a public gathering unless:

 (i) a certificate of airworthiness under regulation 21.176 of CASR is in force for the aeroplane; or

 (ii) the requirements mentioned in  paragraph 9.2 are complied with in relation to the aeroplane;

(j) a relevant aeroplane may only be flown:

 (i) in Class E or G airspace; or

 (ii) subject to subsection 9A, at a controlled aerodrome, or in Class A, B, C or D airspace or a restricted area.

Flight conditions — flying over populous area or public gathering

 9.2 For the purposes of sub-subparagraph 9.1(i)(ii), the requirements are:

(a) in the case of an ultralight aeroplane of a kind mentioned in sub‑subparagraph (e)(ii) or (iii) of the definition of ultralight aeroplane in paragraph 5.1:

 (i) an SAB flight permit is in force for the aeroplane; and

 (ii) CASA, an authorised person, or the relevant sport aviation body has imposed no conditions or limitations on the operation of the aeroplane that would prevent the flight; and

 (iii) if none of the circumstances mentioned in subregulation 91.265(4) of CASR applies, the aeroplane must be flown at a height from which it can glide clear of a populous area or public gathering to a suitable landing area; and

(b) in the case of an ultralight aeroplane of a kind mentioned in sub‑subparagraph (e)(vi) of the definition of ultralight aeroplane in paragraph 5.1:

 (i) an SAB flight permit is in force for the aeroplane; and

 (ii) CASA, an authorised person, or the relevant sport aviation body has imposed no conditions or limitations on the operation of the aeroplane that would prevent the flight; and

(c) in the case of any other aeroplane:

 (i) either:

(A) an experimental certificate under regulation 21.195A of CASR is in force for the aeroplane, or would be in force were it not for the operation of subregulation 21.195B(4) of CASR; or

(B) an SAB flight permit is in force for the aeroplane; and

 (ii) subject to paragraph 9.2A, an approval authorising flight in the aeroplane over a populous area or public gathering is in force under regulation 91.045 or 91.050 of CASR, which approval imposes no conditions or limitations that would prevent the flight.

Note   The requirement in sub-subparagraph 9.2(a)(iii) is in addition to the requirement, in regulation 91.265 of CASR, to not fly below 1 000 feet over a populous area or a public gathering.

 9.2A An approval mentioned in sub-subparagraph 9.2(c)(ii) is not required for a flight in the aeroplane if:

(a) the flight is over a populous area that is not the built-up area of a city or town; or

(b) the flight is over a public gathering and the aeroplane is only passing over the public gathering for the purpose of:

 (i) arrival or departure from an aerodrome, in the course of normal navigation; or

 (ii) transit, in the course of normal navigation.

Flight conditions — towing other aircraft

 9.3 A person must not use a relevant aeroplane to tow another aircraft unless:

(a) the pilot in command is authorised to do so by the relevant sport aviation body in accordance with a procedure approved by CASA; and

(b) any of the following provisions apply in relation to the towing aeroplane:

 (i) the aeroplane is certified as suitable for the purpose of towing;

 (ii) the aeroplane is listed in Civil Aviation Advisory Publication 149, as it exists from time to time, as acceptable to CASA for that purpose;

 (iii) the aeroplane is approved by CASA, in writing, as suitable for that purpose;

 (iv) the aeroplane is approved by the manufacturer as suitable for that purpose and the aircraft flight manual instructions for the towing aeroplane provide for the towing of an aircraft.

Flight conditions — equipment

 9.4 Any radiocommunications equipment fitted to a relevant aeroplane must not be used by a person unless:

(a) in the case of transmission in VHF frequency:

 (i) the person is authorised or qualified to transmit in VHF frequency under Part 61 of CASR; or

 (ii) the relevant sport aviation body has authorised the person to operate VHF radiocommunications equipment in accordance with its operations manual or, if the sport aviation body is an ASAO, its exposition; or

(b) in any other case — the person is authorised or qualified to transmit in the relevant frequency in accordance with regulation 91.625 of CASR.

 9.5 A relevant aeroplane, other than a relevant aeroplane to which paragraph 9A.3 applies, that is fitted with, or carries, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment, must comply with the requirements relating to the equipment in subsection 9B of CAO 20.18.

 9.6 A relevant aeroplane, other than a relevant aeroplane to which paragraph 9A.3 applies, that is fitted with, or carries, SSR transponder equipment, must comply with the requirements relating to the equipment in subsection 9BA, 9C and 9E of CAO 20.18.

9A Controlled aerodromes, Class A, B, C or D airspace and restricted areas

 9A.1 For sub-subparagraph 9.1(j)(ii), a person must not operate a relevant aeroplane at a controlled aerodrome, or in Class A, B, C or D airspace or a restricted area, unless the requirements of paragraphs 9A.2 to 9A.7 are met.

 9A.2 For paragraph 9A.1, the requirements are:

(a) a certificate of airworthiness under regulation 21.176 of CASR is in force for the aeroplane, or would be in force were it not for the operation of paragraph 21.181(4)(a) of CASR; or

(b) in the case of an ultralight aeroplane of a kind mentioned in subparagraph (e)(ii), (iii) or (vi) of the definition of ultralight aeroplane in paragraph 5.1:

 (i) an SAB flight permit is in force for the aeroplane; and

 (ii) CASA, an authorised person, or the relevant sport aviation body has imposed no conditions or limitations on the operation of the aeroplane that would prevent the flight; or

(c) in the case of any other aeroplane:

 (i) an experimental certificate under regulation 21.195A of CASR is in force for the aeroplane, or would be in force were it not for the operation of subregulation 21.195B(4) of CASR; or

 (ii) an SAB permit is in force for the aeroplane.

 9A.3 For paragraph 9A.1, the requirements are:

(a) the aeroplane is fitted with a radio capable of two-way communication with air traffic control; and

(b) for an aeroplane to which subparagraph 9A.2(a) applies:

 (i) the aeroplane complies with the requirements of subsection 26.01(3) and Division 26.16 of the Part 91 MOS in relation to the fitting and operation of surveillance equipment, subject to the variations set out in paragraph 9A.8; and

 (ii) surveillance equipment fitted to comply with section 26.68 of the Part 91 MOS must be operative except as prescribed by section 26.73 of the Part 91 MOS; and

(c) for an aeroplane mentioned in subparagraph 9A.2(b) or (c):

 (i) the aeroplane complies with the requirements of subsection 26.01(3) and Division 26.16 of the Part 91 MOS in relation to the fitting and operation of surveillance equipment, subject to the variations set out in paragraph 9A.8, as if the aeroplane is a relevant aircraft within the meaning given by section 26.66 of the Part 91 MOS; and

 (ii) surveillance equipment fitted to comply with section 26.68 of the Part 91 MOS must be operative except as prescribed by section 26.73 of the Part 91 MOS; and

(d) the pilot in command of a relevant aeroplane complies with the requirements of Division 26.16 of the Part 91 MOS mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c).

 9A.4 For paragraph 9A.1, the requirements are that the pilot in command of a relevant aeroplane must hold a current certificate or record of one of the following kinds:

(a) an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2);

(b) a class 1 medical certificate;

(c) a class 2 medical certificate;

(d) a record of class 5 medical self-declaration;

(e) a recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate.

 9A.5 For paragraph 9A.1, the requirements are that the pilot in command of a relevant aeroplane must not operate a relevant aeroplane at a controlled aerodrome, or in Class A, B, C, D airspace or a restricted area, unless:

(a) if the pilot is an RAAus restricted pilot —the pilot is, in relation to English language proficiency, authorised or qualified to transmit on an aviation safety radio frequency in accordance with the RAAus exposition; and

(b) if the pilot is not an RAAus restricted pilot — the pilot has a current aviation English language proficiency assessment; and

(c) the pilot is carrying a copy of a current certificate or record mentioned in paragraph 9A.4.

 9A.6 For paragraph 9A.1, in relation to operating at a controlled aerodrome, the requirements are that the pilot in command of a relevant aeroplane:

(a) holds a pilot licence with an aircraft category rating, the valid privileges of which include operating at a controlled aerodrome, and has a valid flight review for the aeroplane’s class rating under Part 61 of CASR; or

(b)  holds a Part 61-equivalent controlled aerodrome endorsement; or

(c) is undertaking one of the following activities in accordance with requirements specified in, or authorised by or under, the RAAus exposition:

 (i) flying training for a pilot authorisation;

 (ii) taking a flight test for a pilot authorisation;

 (iii) meeting the aeronautical experience requirements for a pilot authorisation.

 9A.7 For paragraph 9A.1, in relation to operating in Class A, B, C, D airspace or a restricted area, the requirements are that the pilot in command of a relevant aeroplane:

(a) holds a pilot licence with an aircraft category rating, the valid privileges of which include operating in controlled airspace, and has a valid flight review for the aircraft’s class rating under Part 61 of CASR; or

(b) holds a Part 61-equivalent controlled airspace endorsement; or

(c) is undertaking one of the following activities in accordance with requirements specified in, or authorised by or under, the RAAus exposition:

 (i) flying training for a pilot authorisation;

 (ii) taking a flight test for a pilot authorisation;

 (iii) meeting the aeronautical experience requirements for a pilot authorisation.

 9A.8 For the purposes of subparagraphs 9A.3(b) and (c), the variations are that the following provisions of the Part 91 MOS apply as if the references in the provisions to an “approved Mode S transponder” were references to an “approved transponder”:

(a) subparagraph (c)(i) in column 3 of items 3, 3A and 4 of Table 26.68(2); and

(b) subparagraph (c)(i) in column 3 of item 2 of Table 26.68A(3).

Note 1   Subsections 8 and 8A contains general pilot authorisation requirements.

Note 2   Regulation 91.285 of CASR additionally requires a person to hold an approval under regulation 91.045 of CASR to conduct a VFR flight in Class A airspace.

Note 3   Certain ultralight aeroplanes operated by approved flight training schools may operate in Class D airspace in accordance with CASA EX65/25 — Flight of Certain Ultralight Aeroplanes in Class D Airspace (Approved Flight Training Schools) Instrument 2025.

9B Online self-assessment of medical fitness

Note   This subsection sets out the steps involved in completing the online self-assessment of medical fitness process. If a person successfully completes the process, CASA will automatically acknowledge that completion with a record of class 5 medical self-declaration.

Applicant must be at least 16

 9B.1 A person is eligible to apply for the online self-assessment of medical fitness process only if the person is at least 16 years old.

Completing the online self-assessment of medical fitness process

 9B.2 A person has successfully completed the online self-assessment of medical fitness process if the person:

(a) has applied in the approved application form on the online portal identified on the CASA website for that purpose and has paid the approved fee; and

(b) has included with that application all the information required by the approved form or by this instrument; and

(c) has been provided with a copy of, or link to, the Aviation Medical Guidelines; and

(d) has declared that they have read and understood the Aviation Medical Guidelines and referred to them in the process of completing the online self‑assessment of their medical fitness; and

(e) has passed an online medical knowledge check that addresses the human factors syllabus, including medical fitness; and

(f) has declared that they have referred to and followed medical guidance, where relevant, or appropriate advice from their healthcare practitioner (for example, their general medical practitioner or optometrist) when completing the online self-assessment of their medical fitness; and

(g) has made full and accurate disclosure of the following health matters existing at the time of the self-assessment, whether or not the matters are covered by the Aviation Medical Guidelines:

 (i) the state of the person’s health generally;

 (ii) the medical conditions, or symptoms of possible medical conditions, that the person is aware of having (if any);

 (iii) the medical treatment (if any) the person is receiving, or was receiving during the 2 years before the online self-assessment of their medical fitness;

 (iv) the medications or substances (if any) that the person is taking or using, or was taking or using during the 2 years before the online self-assessment of their medical fitness;

 (v) any change in health, medical conditions, symptomology or medications or substances taken or used (if any) since last attending or consulting with a medical practitioner; and

(h) has declared that they:

 (i) have never had a private driver licence refused or cancelled on the grounds that they did not comply with the required medical standards or had failed to undergo a required medical examination; and

 (ii) have never had a class 1, 2 or 3 medical certificate refused or cancelled by CASA or by a medical practitioner; and

 (iii) do not have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of a disqualifying medical condition; and

 (iv) are not regularly taking or using a disqualifying medication or substance; and

 (v) do not have a personal history of problematic use of a substance; and

Note   A person with a personal history of problematic use of a substance may be able to get a class 1 medical certificate, one aspect of which is that the medical practitioner certifies that the person has recovered or is in treatment.

(i) in the case of a person who has been required by a driver licensing authority of a State or Territory to undergo a medical assessment for fitness to drive — has provided CASA with a copy of a current medical assessment for fitness to drive, obtained in accordance with a law in force in a State or Territory, advising a driver licensing authority of a State or Territory that the person meets the appropriate medical standards under that law.

9C Conditions — pilots holding current record of class 5 medical self‑declaration only

Application — particular kind of pilot

 9C.1 This subsection applies to a pilot who:

1.       holds a current record of class 5 medical self-declaration but does not hold a current certificate of a kind mentioned in subparagraph 9A.4(a), (b), (c) or (e); and
2.       is, or proposes to be, the pilot in command of a flight operating at a controlled aerodrome, or in Class A, B, C, D airspace or a restricted area (a relevant flight).

Must not fly unless not required to surrender record and flight operated before renewal date

 9C.2 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must not fly as the pilot in command of a relevant flight unless:

(a) CASA has given the pilot a record of class 5 medical self-declaration to acknowledge their successful completion of the online self-assessment of medical fitness process; and

(b) the pilot has not been required to surrender that record of class 5 medical self‑declaration by the condition mentioned in paragraph 9C.4; and

(c) the relevant flight is conducted before the renewal date specified in the pilot’s record of class 5 medical self-declaration.

Obligation to notify CASA of certain matters and surrender record of class 5 medical self-declaration

 9C.3 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must notify CASA within 30 days if:

(a) the renewal date specified in their record of class 5 medical self-declaration has passed; or

(b) the pilot:

 (i) knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, that they have a medically significant condition that impairs their ability to fly a relevant flight and that condition has lasted for more than 60 days; or

 (ii) has a private driver licence refused or cancelled on the grounds that they do not comply with the required medical standards or has failed to undergo required medical examination; or

 (iii) is clinically diagnosed with a disqualifying medical condition; or

 (iv) is regularly taking or using a disqualifying medication or substance; or

 (v) is experiencing problematic use of a substance.

 9C.4 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must surrender their record of class 5 medical self-declaration to CASA as soon as practicable if:

(a) the renewal date specified in their record of class 5 medical self-declaration has passed; or

(b) the pilot is required to notify CASA of any matter mentioned in paragraph 9C.3.

Pilots must not fly unless medically fit

 9C.5 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must not fly as the pilot in command of a relevant flight if the pilot:

(a) knows that they have a medically significant condition that impairs their ability to fly a relevant flight; or

(b) has reasonable grounds to believe that they have a medically significant condition that impairs their ability to fly a relevant flight.

 9C.6 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must, as soon as practicable, cease flying as the pilot in command of a relevant flight if:

(a) there are any changes in their health circumstances, whether involving temporary or longer‑term impairment or incapacitation, which:

 (i) may affect their ability to continue to fly the relevant flight; or

 (ii) may otherwise have an impact on aviation safety; or

(b) any issue arises in flight that causes them to have reduced capacity to control the relevant aeroplane for any period, or to change the flight plan, such as land early, divert or change altitude.

 9C.7 Paragraph 9C.6 does not apply if, in the circumstances, the relevant act was a reasonable measure to save life (including the pilot’s own life) or avoid damage to property.

Obligation to notify CASA — medically significant condition

 9C.8 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must notify CASA within 30 days if:

(a) the pilot knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, that they have a medically significant condition that impairs their ability to fly a relevant flight; and

(b) that condition has lasted for more than 30 days.

Note   Such notification is important for aviation safety purposes. It is an important indication to CASA of willingness to comply with the conditions in this section.

Correcting lenses must be worn if needed

 9C.9 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 who needs correcting lenses must not fly as the pilot in command of a relevant flight unless, throughout the relevant flight, the pilot:

(a) has acceptable correcting lenses available for use; and

(b) has within reach a spare pair of spectacles for each pair of correcting lenses that the pilot requires to comply with this paragraph.

Record of class 5 medical self-declaration must be carried on relevant aeroplane and produced for inspection

 9C.10 A pilot of the kind mentioned in paragraph 9C.1 must, on request of any of the following persons, produce their record of class 5 medical self-declaration for inspection by the person:

(a) an authorised person;

(b) an RAAus appointed person;

(c) a person who is one of the key personnel of RAAus.

10 Flight height and separation limitations

Note   CASA may, by an approval under subsection 12, authorise a person to fly a relevant aeroplane otherwise than in accordance with a condition in this subsection.

 10.1 For the purposes of subparagraph 9.1(f), a relevant aeroplane may be flown at a height of less than 500 feet AGL if:

(a) the aeroplane is flying in the course of actually taking-off or landing; or

(b) the aeroplane is flying over land that is owned by, or under the control of, the pilot; or

(c) the owner or occupier (including the Crown) of land over which the aeroplane is flying, or an agent or employee of the owner or occupier, has given written permission for the flight to take place at such a height; or

(d) the aeroplane’s pilot is engaged in low-flying flying training:

 (i) over a flying training area approved in writing by the operator conducting the training as suitable for low-flying activity; and

 (ii) the low-flying activity is conducted with the written permission of a person mentioned in subparagraph (c).

 10.2 For the purposes of subparagraph 9.1(f), except when taking-off or landing, a relevant aeroplane that is flown at a height of less than 500 feet AGL must be at a distance of at least 100 metres horizontally from:

(a) a public road (being a street, road, lane, thoroughfare or place open to, or used by, the public for passage of vehicles); or

(b) a person, other than a person associated with the operation of the aeroplane; or

(c) a dwelling, except with the written permission of the dwelling’s occupier.

 10.3 Despite paragraph 10.2, the relevant aeroplane may, during take-off or landing, maintain a horizontal distance from a road, person or dwelling mentioned in that paragraph that is less than 100 metres if the distance is:

(a) enough to avoid endangering any person or causing damage to any property; and

(b) as far as possible from the place or person, to carry out a safe take-off or landing.

Note   See also regulation 91.055 of CASR which prohibits an aircraft from being operated in a manner that creates a hazard.

11 Conditions relating to aerobatic manoeuvres for type certificated lightweight aeroplanes

Note   CASA may, by an approval under subsection 12, authorise a person to fly a relevant aeroplane otherwise than in accordance with a condition in this subsection.

  For the purposes of subparagraph 9.1(d), aerobatic manoeuvres may be conducted in a type certificated lightweight aeroplane if the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) the aeroplane must be certificated for spinning;

(b) the flight manual for the aeroplane must permit spinning;

(c) only spins and incipient spins are permitted, provided they are conducted:

 (i) for the purposes of flying training; and

 (ii) in accordance with the flight manual;

(d) the pilot in command of the aeroplane must hold at least one of the following authorisations, as the case may require, issued by the relevant sport aviation body for the aeroplane:

 (i) an authorisation for the pilot:

(A) to conduct flying training; and

(B) to conduct spins and incipient spins; and

(C) to demonstrate spins and incipient spins to the holder of a pilot certificate issued by a relevant sport aviation body;

 (ii) an authorisation for the pilot:

(A) to conduct flying training; and

(B) to conduct spins and incipient spins; and

(C) to teach spin training to the holder of a flying instructor authorisation issued by a relevant sport aviation body (to enable the holder to obtain an authorisation to conduct spins and incipient spins); and

(D) to teach the demonstration of spin and incipient spins to the holder of a flying instructor authorisation issued by a relevant sport aviation body (to enable the holder to obtain an authorisation to demonstrate spins and incipient spins to the holder of a pilot certificate issued by a relevant sport aviation body).

12 Approval of flights

 12.1 CASA may, on application by a person who proposes to fly a relevant aeroplane otherwise than in accordance with a condition in subsection 8, 9, 10 or 11 (not including subparagraph 9.1(j)), approve the proposed flight.

 12.2 The application must:

(a) include details of the proposed flight and the flight conditions sought to be disapplied; and

(b) be made at least 28 days before the proposed flight.

 12.3 The approval must specify:

(a) the conditions in subsection 8, 9, 10 or 11 that are not to apply in relation to the proposed flight; and

(b) the conditions, if any, to which the approval is subject.

 12.4 A person must not contravene an approval (or any conditions of an approval) granted under this subsection.

13 Transitional provisions

 13.1 Any certificate, approval or authorisation given under the repealed Order by a sport aviation body that was current or in force immediately before the commencement of this Order, continues on and from that commencement as if it were an equivalent certificate, approval or authorisation, as the case may be, given by the sport aviation body under this Order and subject to the same terms and conditions.

 13.2 Any approval given, or determination made, under the repealed Order by CASA that was in force immediately before the commencement of this Order, continues on and from that commencement as if it were an equivalent approval given, or determination made, by CASA under this Order and subject to the same terms and conditions.

 13.3 In this subsection, a reference to a certificate, approval, authorisation or determination being current or in force immediately before the commencement of this Order includes a reference to a certificate, approval, authorisation or determination:

(a) continued by subsection 13 of the repealed Order; and

(b) current or in force immediately before the commencement of this Order.

 13.4 In this subsection, repealed Order means Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2021 (assigned the FRL number F2021L01666).

14 Savings Provision — Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026

 14.1 In this subsection, commencement date means the commencement date of the Civil Aviation Order 95.55 Amendment Instrument 2026.

 14.2 This subsection applies to an approval:

(a) granted by CASA under subsection 12 that specifies that any of subparagraphs 9A.3(b), (c) or (d) (as in force immediately before the commencement date) are not to apply in respect of a proposed flight; and

(b) that is still in force immediately before the commencement date.

 14.3 On and from the commencement date, an approval mentioned in paragraph 14.2 continues in force as an approval in respect of the requirements of subparagraphs 9A.3(b), (c) or (d) (as in force immediately before the commencement date), as specified in the approval, until the earlier of:

(a) the repeal date set out in the approval; or

(b) 12 months after the commencement date.

Note to Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024

Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024 (in force under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998) as shown in this compilation comprises Civil Aviation Order 95.55 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Certain Light Sport Aircraft, Lightweight Aeroplanes and Ultralight Aeroplanes) Instrument 2024 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of instruments