Pilots using the specialised endorsements alternative pathway

To gain a specialised endorsement you must have received training from a syllabus compliant with standards in the Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS) for that endorsement.

You would need to meet these standards whether training at a Part 141 flight training operator or at a Part 137 or 138 operator training under the instruments.

Instruments include:

• CASA 05/23 - Flight Training and Flight Tests for Grant of Aerial Mustering Endorsements Approval 2023
• CASA 31/23 - Flight Training and Flight Tests for Grant of Sling Operations, Winch and Rappelling Operations, and Firefighting Endorsements Approval 2023.

To be eligible to receive training for a specialist endorsement at a Part 137 and 138 operator you must hold certain prerequisite skills and experience. You need to have a low-level rating and relevant low-level category endorsement before starting training at a Part 137 or 138 operator. You must also meet the following prerequisites for each specialised endorsement:

Mustering

Experience:

• 100 hours as pilot in command in the same aircraft category as that to which the endorsement relates. Meet relevant requirements in table 61.1075.

Firefighting

Experience:

• 200 hours as pilot in command of an aircraft of the relevant category.

Sling

Experience:

• 50 hours as pilot in command of a helicopter. Meet relevant requirements in table 61.1075.

Winch and rappelling

Experience:

• 100 hours as pilot in command of a helicopter. Meet relevant requirements in table 61.1075.

When you successfully complete a flight test you will be issued a course completion certificate and granted the relevant endorsement. An examiner or a training pilot authorised to conduct the test under the instrument must conduct the flight test.

Once you hold a specialised endorsement, existing Part 61, Part 137 and 138 requirements continue to apply. Requirements may include flight review and operator proficiency checks.

Example 1: how a pilot accesses the pathway (mustering)

Sam is a helicopter pilot who holds:

• a CPL
• low-level rating
• helicopter low-level endorsement
• 150 hours experience as pilot in command of helicopters.

ABC Muster, a Part 138 operator authorised to conduct aerial mustering operations in helicopters, employs Sam. Sam wants to become a mustering pilot.

Under CASA 05/23, Sam completes training with ABC Muster. ABC Muster meets the requirements to conduct training for the aerial mustering helicopter endorsement under the instrument.

Amy is a training pilot at ABC Muster. She meets the requirements of the instrument to conduct training and testing for the aerial mustering – helicopter endorsement. Amy trains Sam to become a mustering pilot.

Sam completes at least 20 hours of flight training with Amy. She then gains the endorsement after completing a flight test for the endorsement.

Sam can now begin on-the-job training with supervision as required by ABC Muster’s operations manual to conduct mustering.

Example 2: how pilot accesses the pathway (aerial firefighting)

Robin is an aeroplane pilot who holds:

• a CPL
• low-level rating
• aeroplane low-level endorsement
• 250 hours experience as pilot in command of aeroplanes.

Flameout, a Part 137 operator authorised to conduct aerial firefighting operations in aeroplanes, employs Robin. Robin wants to become a firefighting pilot.

Under CASA 31/23, Robin completes training with Flameout. Flameout meets the requirements to conduct training for the aerial firefighting aeroplane endorsement under the instrument.

Lee is a training pilot at Flameout. She meets the requirements of the instrument to conduct training and testing for the aerial firefighting - aeroplane endorsement. Lee trains Robin to become a firefighting pilot.

Robin completes at least 5 hours of flight training with Lee, including at least 3 flights which include completing at least 5 simulated firefighting operations. She then gains the firefighting – aeroplane endorsement and the aerial application rating after completing a flight test for the endorsement. It is important to note that Lee will receive the aerial application rating at the same time, if she doesn’t already hold that rating.

Robin can now begin on-the-job training with supervision as required by Flameout’s operations manual to conduct firefighting operations.