Part 133 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Regulations (CASR) applies to air transport operations in rotorcraft.
The term 'air transport' replaces the following operations if you are conducting them for hire or reward:
- charter
- regular public transport (RPT)
- air ambulance.
Operators who did not hold an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) which authorised passenger carriage before 2 December 2021 and carried a person without charge are exempted by Section 7AA of CASA EX68/24.
Rotorcraft performance classes
Rotorcraft conducting CASR Part 133 air transport operations must fly in a performance class (PC).
The rotorcraft performance class system standardises the rules for all operators which makes air transport operations safer.
The requirements are scaled based on:
- the number of passengers
- the type of flight rules or conditions
- whether it’s a medical transport flight.
The system requires operators to plan for the failure of an engine, whether it’s a single engine, or one of the engines on a multi-engine rotorcraft. It also considers the reliability of engines if there’s supporting data available.
You do not need to fly in a performance class if you are operating a medical transport operation where:
- the flight is conducted at a medical transport site, and you comply with your documented risk assessment
- the flight is at a stage of take-off, take-off and initial climb, approach and landing, or baulked landing and you hold a specific approval from CASA for the location you are operating at, and the aircraft.
You will need approval from CASA to conduct:
- flights in performance class 2 with exposure (PC2WE) under CASR 133.325(2)(b)
- medical transport operations at a specific place without operating in a performance class under CASR 133.335(4)(c).
Operating in a performance class
The following information will help you understand what performance class you must operate in.
For clarity and simplicity, this table focuses on the main performance classes and does not include any exceptions.
| Operation | Performance Class 1 | Performance Class 2 | Performance Class 2 with exposure (PC2WE) | Performance Class 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum operational seating capacity (MOPSC) of 20 or more (whether passenger, cargo or medical transport) | Required | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| MOPSC 10 to 19 (whether passenger, cargo or medical transport) | Required during en-route phase. Optional during other phases. | Minimum required during phases other than en-route unless PC2WE approval held | Minimum required if PC2WE approval held during phases other than en-route | Not permitted |
| Medical transport operation (any MOPSC) | Required during en-route phase. Optional during other phases | Minimum required during phases other than en-route unless PC2WE approval held | Minimum required if PC2WE approval held during phases other than en-route | Not permitted |
| Passenger transport operation with MOPSC of 19 or less, under IFR or at night | Required during en-route phase. Optional during other phases | Minimum required during phases other than en-route unless PC2WE approval held | Minimum required if PC2WE approval held during phases other than en-route | Not permitted |
| Passenger transport with MOPSC of 9 or less and day VFR | Optional | Optional | Optional | Minimum required |
| Cargo transport operation with MOPSC of 9 or less (regardless of IFR or VFR, or day or night) | Optional | Optional | Optional | Minimum required |