Changing the rules

Under development
CASR Part 121 – Air transport operations - large aeroplanes

CASR Parts 121 and 135 both deal with air transport operations — 121 is for large aeroplanes, 135 for small aeroplanes, the split based on 5700kg maximum take-off weight.

Part 121 will consolidate into one Part of the new Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) the regulatory requirements for the operation of large aeroplanes used in air transport operations that apply, in addition to, or in substitution for, the general operating and flight rules prescribed in Part 91.

It will support the system approach to regulation by requiring, in the case of most rules, operators to establish procedures to ensure compliance and incorporate those procedures into operations manuals.

The Part will replace all affected Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs 1988) and Civil Aviation Orders (CAOs) and will integrate with the rules in the other CASRs, principally Parts 91 and 119. It will largely cover the same regulatory areas as now but with a few new rules, mostly to give effect to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO's) Annex 6 Part 1 SARPS not currently incorporated.

Part 121 sets in place a common level of safety for both charter and regular public transport (RPT) operators. The safety level applies irrespective of whether an operation is scheduled or non-scheduled as described by the International Civil Aviation Organization in Part I of Annex 6.

Who Part 121 affects

Personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of large aeroplanes engaged in air transport operations including:

  • Charter and Regular Public Transport (RPT) operators;
  • Flight and cabin crew; and
  • Ground support personnel.

Key proposals

  • Single standard to be introduced for passenger operations regardless whether charter or RPT operations are involved;
  • Flight and cabin crew members to be subject to more comprehensive training and checking requirements, including Crew Resource Management (CRM) training;
  • Restrictions to be placed on the crewing together of inexperienced pilots;
  • Additional requirements for cabin crew recency, pre-flight briefings and triennial recurrent training;
  • Re-introduction of the requirement for first aid kits, and a new requirement for emergency medical kits on specified flights;
  • More comprehensive provisions for:
    • fuel to be carried (based on Civil Aviation Advisory Publication CAAP 234-1 / International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 6 Part 1);
    • alternate aerodrome requirements with respect to operations outside Australia, and operational flight planning;
    • low visibility operations;
    • standard passenger and baggage weights (checked baggage to be weighed, baggage placement limits; operators provided with the means to establish standard weights, or different standard weights, to those legislated).
 
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