Pilot training and flight testing are essential activities that underpin aviation safety and industry growth.
Industry has told us that the current pilot licensing rules are too complicated, and the availability of instructors and flight examiners causes bottlenecks. We are working on reforms focused on delivering tangible benefits to better support general aviation.
Overview of reforms and timeframes
Table key:
- • (bullet circle) shows when work is planned
- Q1 ends 31 Mar
- Q2 ends 30 Jun
- Q3 ends 30 Sep
- Q4 ends 31 Dec.
| Reform | Q1 2022 | Q2 2022 | Q3 2022 | Q4 2022 | Q1 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q3 2023+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improve the competency standards for flight examiners | • | • | • | • | • |  |  |
| Expand delivery of examiner proficiency checks to industry - COMPLETED | • | • |  |  |  |  |  |
| Expand delivery of flight examiner rating course delivery to industry - COMPLETED | • | • | • |  |  |  |  |
| Expand privileges for Grade 1 training endorsement holders - COMPLETED | • | • | • |  |  |  |  |
| Establish a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’ - COMPLETED | • | • |  |  |  |  |  |
| Create a tailored pathway for task specialist pilot endorsements | • | • | • | • |  |  |  |
| Review the requirement to notify CASA of a flight test |  | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Ongoing review of licensing and flight training regulations |  | • | • | • | • | • |  |
| Simplified and fast-tracked application and assessment process for independent flight instructors |  | • | • | • |  |  |  |
Learn more about changes to support flight examiners.
Improve the competency standards for flight examiners - COMPLETED
CASA has:
- established a more flexible approach to flight testing and requirements for flight examiners, by:
- reducing the number of endorsements that require a flight test and making more use of the ‘train to standard’ approach
- replacing the generic competency standards for the flight examiner rating with endorsement-specific standards, to reduce reliance on experience as a requirement.
Expand delivery of examiner proficiency checks to industry - COMPLETED
CASA has:
- established a more flexible approach to flight testing and requirements for flight examiners, by taking a flexible approach to examiner proficiency checks (EPCs), including authorising more industry examiners to conduct these checks.
Expand delivery of flight examiner rating course delivery to industry - COMPLETED
CASA has:
- established a more flexible approach to flight testing and requirements for flight examiners, by expanding the option for industry to deliver flight examiner rating training courses.
Expand privileges for Grade 1 training endorsement holders - COMPLETED
CASA has:
- reducing the demand on flight examiners. We will increase the privileges of grade 1 flight instructors. They will be authorised to train, assess and grant a range of endorsements for nominated activities.
Establish a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’ - COMPLETED
CASA has:
- established a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’.
Create a tailored pathway for task specialist pilot endorsements
Initiatives under this measure include:
- creating a training pathway for pilots to obtain endorsements for aerial work operations. We will support more training to be done ‘on the job’ by:
- qualified and experienced pilots
- working for capable aerial work operators who conduct those activities and have core training capabilities.
Activities and timeframes:
- scope policy by end of Q1 (31 Mar 2022)
- consultation on draft instrument by end of Q3 (30 Sep 2022)
- draft instrument, training guides and associated artefacts by end of Q3 (30 Sep 2022)
- make legislative instrument by end of Q4 (31 December 2022)
- benefit available to industry by end of Q4 (31 December 2022).
Review the requirement to notify CASA of a flight test
Initiatives under this measure include:
- reviewing the need for flight examiners to inform CASA of a flight test and considering further improvements that could achieve administrative benefits.
Activities and timeframes:
- implementation of this potential reform from Q3 2023 (30 Sep 2023) and beyond will be subject to CASA consideration of advice from the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) following recommendations of the TWG.
Ongoing review of licensing and flight training regulations
Initiatives under this measure include:
- requesting the ASAPÂ to continue reviewing the regulations relating to licensing and flight training to identify and prioritise further opportunities to streamline the system.
Activities and timeframes:
- scoping by ASAP/TWGs by end of Q2 (30 Jun 2022)
- implementation details subject to ongoing identification of opportunities by the ASAP from Q4 (31 Dec) 2022 and beyond.
Simplified and fast-tracked application and assessment process for independent flight instructors
Initiatives under this measure include:
- making it easier for flight instructors to operate independently by establishing the option of a simplified application and fast-tracked assessment process for ‘independent’ instructors seeking to obtain a Part 141 of CASR training approval.
Activities and timeframes:
- scope policy by end of Q2 (30 Jun 2022)
- issue guidance material by end of Q4 (31 Dec 2022)
- benefit available to industry by end of Q4 (31 Dec 2022).