Current projects
OS 00/08 - Balloons used for non-recreational operations
History
1 Feb 2008
NPRM 0706OS - Balloons used for Non-recreational Operations
Comments to this Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) closed 7 April 2008.
1 Aug 2005
Guiding Principles were approved including a separate Subpart for balloon operations in August 2005.
2 Feb 2004
The SCC Sport & Recreational Aviation sub-committee agreed to remove the CASR rules covering the existing activities of commercial balloon operators to a separate CASR Subpart
1 Feb 2001
In February 2001 a project team was formed to investigate regulatory options under the title “Commercial Sport & Recreation Aviation Operations”.
Under development
CASR Part 131 – Balloons used in Non-Recreational Operations
(formerly known as part 115B)
Balloons fly using different principles of physics from those applying to heavier-than-air aircraft. Their structure and design are simpler and based on lower-technology materials and processes than other categories of aircraft.
CASR Part 131 is planned as a stand-alone Part encompassing all the regulations which apply only to balloons used outside of the recreational context of CASR Part 103. It replaces the areas that would otherwise be included in Parts 42, 66, 145 and 147 in relation to maintenance and maintenance personnel; Parts 61 and 141 in relation to Flight Crew Licensing and training; Parts 91, 135 and 136 in relation to flight operations; and Part 119 in relation to Air Operator Certification.
Some of the rules in this Part are in common with the rules in other Parts, but most of the content is specific to balloons and this keeps those other Parts less complex than they otherwise would be. The operating rules are based on the same requirements as Part 103 applies to balloons, but with additional requirements for the activities that require closer CASA involvement and oversight than recreational activities.
Administrative rules and some of the more-generally applicable requirements apply in addition to the Part 131 rules – these are to be found in CASR Parts 1, 11, 13, 21, 31, 39, 45, 47 and 67 and are less-often referred to in the day-to-day activity of operating a balloon for non-recreational purposes.
Who CASR Part 131 affects
Balloon operators and maintainers who
- Currently hold an AOC or Certificate of Approval.
- Hold a Maintenance Authority under CAR 33B.
- Hold a Commercial Pilot (Balloon) Licence.
- May require a CASA licence in the future for overseas recognition.
- Seek to operate a balloon under the parallel path to CASR Part 103.
Or persons who may seek to do any of these in the future.
Key proposals
- A single Part to cover most aspects of day-to-day non-Recreational balloon activities.
- Part 131 adopts the EU (EASA) philosophy and structure of regulations, where operators expound their own means of complying with the overall requirements and are audited for compliance with this exposition, as a means of increasing industry involvement and accountability for safe operations.
- Includes operations, operator certification, flight crew licensing, maintenance, maintenance personnel authorisations and maintenance organisations.
- Places relevant rules for the operation of balloons in the form of positive rules rather than the current exceptions and exemptions.
- Introduces a full range of flight crew licences (SPL, PPL, CPL) for balloons.
- Regards hot air airships more as powered balloons than as an extension of gas airships, because of their limited operational capabilities.
- Establishes balloon licence endorsements and ratings at levels equivalent to aircraft class and design feature endorsements in Part 61.
- Permits balloon CPL holders to act as co-pilot of any balloon and, under set conditions, gain an aircraft endorsement for larger size balloons by flying as co-pilot with a flight instructor as pilot in command.
- Sets out maintenance requirements appropriate to the simplicity and low technology of balloons, and recognises the applicability of suitable Australia/ New Zealand Standards for commercial and industrial processes as approved standards.
- Establishes a balloon maintainer qualification with some of the privileges that attach to existing Aircraft Maintenance licences but are separate from the extended training required for other aircraft categories.
- Allows CASA to issue Maintenance Organisation approvals for balloons that are commensurate with their size, scope and the inherent simplicity of balloons to allow significant variation from the Parts 42 and 145 proposals.
Development
Part 131 has been developed direct to a NPRM and involving the balloon industry, through the Professional Ballooning Association of Australia (which represents over 95% of the industry) at all stages in the process and with their support and encouragement for the preferred methodology.
Further developments of detailed standards, Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (Advisory Circulars) will continue in the period while the regulations are subject to legal drafting processes.