CASA Media Release - 18 August 1999
New easy-to-follow flight manual rules
Aircraft owners and pilots are to benefit from simplified and streamlined rules relating to aircraft flight manuals.
New legislation to implement the easier-to-follow arrangements for aircraft flight manuals came into force this week.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is providing a transition period of up to 12 months for the introduction of the new rules to make the change-over even easier for the aviation industry.
The new rules covering aircraft flight manuals will reduce delays and costs, remove unique Australian requirements and cut paperwork for aircraft owners.
Certificate of Registration holders will now only be required to have the aircraft flight manual, the pilot's operating handbook and/or placards produced by the aircraft manufacturer or type certificate holder.
The type of documentation will depend on the standards of the national airworthiness authority of the country where the aircraft was first manufactured and flown.
In some cases, an aircraft flight manual is not required and information is provided to pilots only through placards.
CASA's Assistant Director Aviation Safety Standards, Richard Yates, says the new arrangements do away with many requirements that only apply in Australia.
"Under the new rules CASA will not hold or maintain copies of aircraft flight manuals for individual aircraft," Mr Yates says.
"This move brings Australia into line with typical international practice in relation to aircraft flight manuals as far as is possible.
"For aircraft owners the big bonus is the removal of costs and delays that were imposed because aircraft flight manuals and changes to manuals had to be individually approved by CASA.
"Pilots will benefit because, under the new arrangements, the detailed information will be presented in the manufacturer's standardised format."
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: ME9944PR