If you conduct or propose to conduct a balloon transport operation in Australia with a manned free balloon, you must hold a balloon transport Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). We grant these certificates under Part 131 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) – Balloons and hot air airships.
Commercial balloon flying training operators
If you conduct or propose to conduct a commercial balloon flying training operation in Australia with a manned free balloon, you must hold a commercial balloon flying training Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). We grant these certificates under regulation 206 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (paragraph 206(a)).
Applying for or varying a balloon transport or commercial balloon flying training AOC
Use the application form for any of the following:
- Initial issue of a balloon transport or commercial balloon flying training AOC.
- Significant change to your existing AOC (you can include non-significant changes at the same time).
- Removal of aircraft, activities or key personnel.
- Renewal of an existing balloon transport or commercial balloon flying training AOC.
- Addition or removal of associated approvals under Parts 91 or 131.
To do any of the above, you must submit form:
For definitions of 'significant change', refer to paragraph 131.030 of the CASR.
You must complete parts A, H and I. You only need to complete the remaining parts of the form if you are applying for the type of operations, approvals or authorisations specified.
The table below shows the required parts of the form in each scenario.
Application form part | Initial Issue | Significant Change | Renewal (no changes) | Renewal (with removal of aircraft or activities or key persons) | Renewal (with removal of approvals Parts 91 and 131) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part A – Applicant | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Part B – Main operating bases | Required | If making changes to operating bases | - | - | - |
Part C – Operations key personnel and aircraft | Required | If making changes to key personnel | - | - | - |
Part D – Significant and non-significant changes | - | Required | - | Required | - |
Part E – Approvals | If applying for approvals | If adding or removing approvals | - | - | Required |
Part F – Exposition / Operations manual compliance matrix | Required | - | - | - | - |
Part G – Additional information and authorisations | Required | If applying for authorisations | - | - | - |
Part H – Organisation and personnel history | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Part I – Other matters, applicant checklist and declaration | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Submitting non-significant changes
If you are only notifying us of non-significant changes use the following form instead:
Complete and submit your application form and supporting documents.
Learn more about significant and non-significant changes.
Supporting documents
In addition to the application form, you must also provide the following:
Initial issue: When applying for the first time you must include a complete exposition document covering all requirements of the regulations for your proposed operations.
Significant change: You must resubmit the relevant parts of your exposition identifying the changes you wish to make, along with supporting information. You may choose to give us your complete exposition document including proposed changes.
Non-significant change: You must give us your updated exposition identifying the changes you have made.
Renewals without change: You only need to submit the signed application form.
The exposition included with your application must include a process for identifying and making changes. Refer to paragraph 131.195 (1) (m) of the CASR.
To assist you when compiling your exposition, refer to our Advisory Circular:
Associated approvals – form Part E
You can apply for or remove approvals under paragraphs 91.045 and 131.035 of the CASR using the AOC (balloon operations) application form.
How to apply
If you are only notifying us of non-significant changes refer to the submitting non-significant changes section above.