CASA ensures safety with new airlines

October 2024 Regulatory wrap-up

Article supplied by CASA

Consultations
Provide feedback on guidance for protecting pilots from accidental laser emissions
We are seeking feedback on a draft advisory circular (AC) that provides guidance on effectively managing risks to aircraft from laser emissions. The draft AC is intended for use by aerodrome operators and event operators when planning light displays. Have your say by 10 November.
Summary of consultation
Ballina airspace design – introduction of controlled airspace
We have published a summary of feedback and responses received to our consultation on the design for controlled airspace around Ballina. We are working with Airservices Australia to consider all feedback received from both industry and the community and what additional changes should be incorporated into the preferred design. A consultation on the preferred design is expected to open in November.
Recreational ballooning administration
We have published a summary of feedback and responses received to our consultation about continuing CASA’s administration of recreational ballooning activities with proposed changes to CAO 95.54 and the CASA Recreational Ballooning Procedures Manual.
Rules and regulations
Changes to MCC training authorisations
Pilot instructors can now apply to have their multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training approval converted to a multi-crew pilot training endorsement (MCP-TE) and have it endorsed on their Part 61 licence. Conditions will apply. Visit our website for more information.
Clearer guidance for RPAS BVLOS operations applications
We have introduced a new ground risk class calculation method which includes new population density bands and an update to the ground risk mitigations when applying for RPAS beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

This update incorporates elements from the latest specific operations risk assessment (SORA) 2.5 version. It provides clearer guidance for BVLOS operators and will result in a more accurate ground risk classification. For more information visit our website.

Automated authorisations update for ReOC holders
CASA and Airservices Australia are working to extend the automated airspace authorisations trial for ReOC holders, which is set to expire on 15 November 2024. Until the extension is finalised, ReOC holders should apply for flight approvals using the 101-09 RPA Flight Authorisation form. Some applications may take up to 70 days to process from the date of payment. Continue to monitor your email and our website for more updates.
Commencing soon – Part 131 Manual of Standards for balloons and hot air airships
A reminder that the Part 131 Manual of Standards (MOS) commences on 12 November. Operators must submit an exposition/operations manual compliant with Parts 91 and 131 and the Part 131 MOS by 11 November 2024. More information on the submission process is available on our website.
Renewal of multiple expiring exemptions
Key exemption instruments applicable to CASR Parts 91, 119, 121, 133, 135 and 138 expire on 1 December 2024. Multiple CAOs applicable to sport aviation operations also expire on 1 December 2024.

We will be renewing these instruments for a further 3 years from 2 December 2024. The exemption instruments will have new instrument numbers, but the CAOs will retain their existing number (for example 95.4).

Unless an instrument is affected by a recent public consultation, we will only be making minor editorial changes and removal of expired provisions.