Sport aviation

Sport aviation covers almost half the aircraft operating in Australia. It involves about 40,000 participants, more than 9000 aircraft and 360,000 parachute jumps each year.

Sport aviation offers a wide range of activities and is an economical way to take part in aviation. It also provides a proving ground for new aviation concepts and technology.

The Australian sport aviation industry includes manufacturers, training facilities, organised competitions, and enthusiasts who all contribute to growth in Australian aviation.

Are you new to sport aviation?

Sport aviation offers a wide range of aircraft and activities. Many of the aircraft are not designed or built to any recognised civil aviation standard and many of the activities are only allowed through exemptions to the regulations.

A person who takes part in this form of aviation is defined as an informed participant. Participants in sport aviation do so for their own enjoyment and as such, may need to be a member of an approved self-administering organisation.

Find out more about being an informed participant in sport aviation.

Participation in sport aviation is mostly limited to private flying and flying training to obtain a certification. There are other operations that can be approved by CASA for these aircraft, however require separate approval.

Find out more about the different types of sport aircraft.

Sport aviation and what it covers

• ultralight and weightshift microlight aircraft
• gliding
• gyroplanes
• hang gliders and paragliders
• recreational unmanned aircraft (including models and drones)
• parachuting
• warbirds
• amateur-built and experimental aircraft
• recreational ballooning

Our role in sport aviation

• self-administering organisations
• CASA’s role in sport aviation
• ramp checks explained

Avsafety seminars

Our sport aviation office cooperates closely with CASA’s aviation safety advisors to provide relevant safety advice and deliver safety education and training to members of recreational aviation organisations.

• visit schedule

Human factors e-learning modules

Between 75 and 80 per cent of aviation accidents result from some type of human error. CASA, in collaboration with various sport aviation organisations has developed a series of e-learning modules that will help pilots better understand their own capabilities and limitations and what they can do to prevent errors.

e-learning modules

Additional information

• online store
• Flight Safety Australia online
• pilot guides and information
• Out-n-Back
• CASA’s YouTube channel
• electronic flight bags
• wire strike
• ATSB - avoidable accident series
• close call publication
• sport aviation information sheets
• CAO 95.25 Issue 1 - Exemption from provisions of the air navigation regulations single-place and two-place ultralight aeroplanes

Jabiru engine limitation relief

Operators of aircraft powered by Jabiru engines can obtain relief from operating limitations imposed in 2014 and 2015. A new direction issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority sets out the actions operators need to take to be able to lift the operational limitations on their Jabiru-powered aircraft. The direction takes effect from 1 July 2016. Operators must continue to observe the limitations if they do not take the actions set out in the CASA direction. The new direction was largely based on analysis in a CASA Jabiru Engine Reliability Analysis report 2016.

• jabiru engine reliability analysis report
• relaxation of CASA limitations
• teardown inspection report
• view the jabiru instrument

Contact us

For any general enquiries about sport aviation, please email sport@casa.gov.au or phone 131 757.