New Rules Cover Flight Operations, Training And Maintenance For Sport And Recreational Aircraft

Public consultation has opened on proposed new regulations for sport and recreational aircraft administered by sports aviation bodies - Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 103.

The new rules cover flight operations, training and maintenance - replacing and consolidating the various exemptions from regulations that currently apply to private sport and recreation flying administered by sport aviation bodies.

Part 103 will complement other new CASR regulations that come into effect in March 2021 and ensure that activities conducted in the sport and recreation sector are able to continue largely unchanged from current requirements.

New requirements specified in Part 103 are relatively minor. They include:

• reporting of major defects identified by operators
• fitting of data plates to aircraft not already fitted
• provisions for the towing of Part 103 aircraft by other aircraft
• a prohibition on smoking and the provision and consumption of alcohol.

CASA is consulting to ensure that the proposed rules are clearly articulated and will work in practice and as they are intended. This consultation is seeking feedback on the proposed new rules for sport and recreational aviation operations regulations.

To make it simpler for the sport and recreation community, CASA is considering the development of a plain English guide that consolidates the relevant provisions of Part 91, Part 103 and Part 103 MOS in one easy to read document. Your feedback on this proposal is also sought.

The Public Consultation closes on September 30, 2019.

(Source: CASA news release)

FMI: Consultation Hub