DASR 2/1994 - Instructions

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations, introduced in 1994 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. These regulations, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, address the need for standardised equipment and procedures to maintain safe and orderly flight operations. The primary objective is to ensure that aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are equipped with appropriate radio communication, navigation, and other essential systems to facilitate effective communication with air traffic control and to enhance safety during various flight operations. This includes specific requirements for radio communication equipment, navigation systems, and other critical instruments such as timepieces and secondary surveillance radar transponders.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, as amended and detailed in this legislative instrument, primarily apply to all aircraft operating under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) within Australian airspace. The regulations set forth specific requirements for radio communication, navigation, and other essential equipment that must be carried on board these aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air traffic management. For example, depending on the type of operation and conditions, aircraft must be equipped with particular radio communication systems, including very high-frequency (VHF) and high-frequency (HF) systems, to maintain contact with air traffic control and flight service units. Additionally, aircraft operating under VFR at night must be equipped with either an automatic direction-finding system or a VHF omni-directional radio range system to ensure safe navigation. Furthermore, the regulations mandate that all aircraft operating under VFR must carry a timepiece accurate to within 30 seconds, either on board or carried by the pilot in command. These requirements are subject to certain exclusions and exemptions, such as the exemption for gliders and ultralight aircraft from carrying specific radio communication equipment under certain conditions. The regulations also allow for the use of a licensed hand-held VHF radiocommunication system by the pilot in command in specific circumstances, such as for aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 450 kilograms or less engaged in private or aerial work operations. The scope of these regulations is further extended and clarified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations (DASR 2/1994) set out a series of requirements for radio communication, navigation, and other essential equipment that must be carried on aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). These requirements are specified in Part 1, which addresses radio communication equipment, Part 2, which covers radio navigation systems, and Part 3, which includes other equipment requirements. The regulations are designed to ensure safety and effective communication between aircraft and air traffic control units or flight service units. Under Part 1, different types of operations require different levels of radio communication equipment. For example, regular public transport operations must be equipped with either one Very High Frequency (VHF) and one High Frequency (HF) system, or two VHF systems (clause 1.1). Other operations, such as charter flights or operations conducted in specific areas, also have specific equipment requirements (clause 1.1, items 2-9). Additionally, HF systems must be fitted appropriately to the area of operation and must enable continuous communication with air traffic control or flight service during the flight (clause 1.1(5)). There are also provisions for pilots to use licensed hand-held VHF radio communication systems under certain conditions (clauses 1.1(7) and 1.1(8)). Part 2 of the regulations mandates that aircraft operating under VFR at night must be equipped with either an automatic direction finding system or a VHF omni-directional radio range system (clause 2.1). This requirement ensures that pilots have adequate navigational aids when operating in low-visibility conditions. Part 3 of the regulations includes additional equipment requirements. All aircraft operating under VFR must be equipped with a timepiece accurate to within 30 seconds (clause 3.1). Furthermore, aircraft operating in controlled airspace and within radar coverage of air traffic control must have a serviceable secondary surveillance radar transponder capable of Mode A and Mode C operation (clause 3.2(1)). However, this requirement does not apply to operations within general aviation aerodrome procedures control zones and associated lanes of entry (clause 3.2(2)). Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, violations of aviation regulations can lead to enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of aircraft. These regulatory requirements are crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations in Australia.