Training and testing for aerial mustering endorsements

Pilots and Part 138 operators conducting aerial mustering can now use an alternative pathway for training and testing to grant aerial mustering endorsements.

Part 138 operators can use experienced and competent mustering pilots they employ to conduct training for aerial mustering endorsements in-house.

Legislative basis

We recognise the Part 141 flight training scheme is not working as intended for training pilots for aerial mustering endorsements.

Pilots and operators need an alternative pathway to better facilitate training and assessment for aerial mustering endorsements. We plan to make changes to CASR, but this will take some time.

We created an approval instrument to allow pilots and Part 138 operators to take immediate advantage of the planned change.

This pathway is an alternative to the existing Part 141 flight training pathway for aerial mustering endorsements.

Endorsements you can access using this pathway

Endorsements you can gain using the alternative pathway include:

  • Aerial mustering – aeroplane endorsement to the low-level rating: item 5 of table 61.1075 of CASR
  • Aerial mustering –helicopter endorsement to the low-level rating: item 6 of table 61.1075 of CASR
  • Aerial mustering –gyroplane endorsement to the low-level rating: item 7 of table 61.1075 of CASR.

Accessing the alternative pathway

Pilots with a low-level rating can now access training for the aerial mustering endorsement through a Part 138 operator instead of accessing the training through a Part 141 flight training operator.

Part 138 operators can use suitably experienced, trained and competent mustering pilots to conduct training for the aerial mustering endorsement and upskill their pilots in-house.

Subject to the conditions in the approval, the Part 138 operator’s trainer pilots do not need:

  • to be employed by a Part 141 flight training operator
  • flight instructor rating
  • flight examiner rating.

Once trained, a training pilot may be engaged to conduct mustering endorsement training and testing activities for any Part 138 operator who complies with the conditions of the instrument.

Pilots using the instrument to gain the mustering endorsement in a Part 138 operator

Pilots with a low-level rating can access training for the aerial mustering endorsement through their Part 138 operator. This is instead of accessing it through a Part 141 flight training operator.

To gain a mustering endorsement you will need to:

  • hold the low-level rating and low-level endorsement for the aircraft category that you will fly in mustering operations
  • have at least 100 hours pilot in command experience flying an aircraft of the same category that you will fly in mustering operations.

You will also need to complete a training course. The course will include at least 20 hours of dual instruction in mustering operations delivered:

  • in an aircraft of the same type used in the mustering activity
  • by a Part 138 operator under the conditions of the instrument
  • by a training pilot authorised to conduct the training under the instrument.

You will gain the aerial mustering endorsement once you successfully complete a flight test. A training pilot authorised to conduct the test under the instrument must conduct the flight test.

Existing Part 61 and Part 138 requirements, such as flight review and operator proficiency checks, continue to apply.

Example

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 pilot trainer 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 a flight test for the endorsement. She then gains the endorsement after 20 hours of flight training.

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

Learn more about how the exemption works to deliver this training for:

  • Part 138 operators
  • training pilots.

Accessing the instrument as a Part 138 operator who wants to train their own training pilot

Part 138 operators can use appropriately trained and experienced pilots to conduct training for the aerial mustering endorsement and upskill their pilots in-house.

A Part 138 operator seeking to conduct training must:

  • include details of the training course and the trainers authorised to deliver the training in the operations manual. This means the operator needs to include a training course for the aerial mustering endorsement in their operations manual. This significant change requires approval from us
  • ensure head of operations manages the training
  • retain certain documents and provide course completion certificates.

Process for Part 138 operators

  1. Check prerequisites

    Holder of Part 138 AWC checks prerequisites to access approval.

  2. Update operations manual

    After meeting prerequisites, contact us to update your operations manual. Include details of training provided and how you can conduct training.

  3. Conduct training

    Conduct your training activities in accordance with approval conditions.

  4. Manage training privileges in accordance with approval conditions

    Your approval conditions include:

    • training managed by head of operations (HOO)
    • training meets requirements
    • trainee meets requirements
    • certificate of completion issues
    • documents retained.

Example

ABC Muster is a Part 138 operator authorised to conduct aerial mustering operations in helicopters.

ABC Muster employ experienced mustering pilots and want to upskill their junior pilot, Sam to become a mustering pilot.

ABC Muster want to use CASA 05/23 to upskill Sam in-house. ABC Muster identifies Amy as the pilot most suitable to conduct training and assessment for the aerial mustering – helicopter endorsement.

ABC Muster nominates Amy to become a training pilot. She enrols with a Part 141 flight training operator to gain:

  • basic instructional competencies
  • a course of instructor training and an assessment

CASA’s e-learning modules for the flight examiner course.

ABC Muster develops a training course for the aerial mustering – helicopter endorsement. ABC Muster also:

  • updates their operations manual to include the training
  • nominates Amy as the trainer.

CASA then reviews and approves the training course and operations manual updates.

ABC Muster's head of operations manages:

  • the training Amy delivers
  • issue of Sam’s course completion certificate
  • record keeping.

For trainer pilots

A mustering pilot can use the instrument to conduct training and testing for the aerial mustering endorsement if they comply with the conditions.

To conduct training for the aerial mustering endorsement you will need to have at least:

  • a commercial pilot licence (category specific) and low-level rating, and relevant aerial mustering endorsement
  • 3 years operational experience conducting mustering operations - not aircraft category dependent
  • 2,000 hours pilot in command experience conducting aerial mustering operations in the same category of aircraft.

A Part 138 operator must also employ or engage you and will nominate you to receive the training pilot training.

You need to complete a course conducted by a Part 141 flight training operator and delivered by a flight instructor.

The instructor must have a:

  • grade 1 training endorsement or instructor rating training endorsement
  • low-level rating training endorsement.

The course must comprise:

  • an approved course of training in principles and methods of instruction. Otherwise, you must holder either a:
    • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
    • tertiary qualification in teaching
  • at least 5 hours dual flight training in non-PIC seat
  • an assessment of competency to deliver training for the aerial mustering endorsement. The instructor delivering the course must conduct this assessment.

You will also need to complete the flight examiner e-learning training modules through the myCASA portal. These e-learning modules are available when we accept your application. You will gain access to the Flight Test Management (FTM) test notification system after completing the e-learning modules. This will allow you to conduct the flight test for the aerial mustering endorsement after conducting training.

To conduct tests, you will need to comply with the same obligations as a flight examiner including:

  • meeting the recent experience and flight review requirements for the relevant authorisations
  • being nominated to conduct the flight test
  • conducting the test in accordance with the MOS standards and notification requirements
  • engage with the FTM system.

Under the instrument, you will not receive either:

  • instructor rating or related training endorsement
  • flight examiner rating or related testing endorsement.

You may conduct mustering endorsement training and testing activities for any Part 138 operator who complies with the conditions of the instrument.

You need to complete a check every 2 years to assess your continued competency to conduct training. The instructor conducting the check must hold:

  • either:
    • a grade 1 training endorsement
    • an instructor rating training endorsement
  • a low-level rating training endorsement.

Process for trainer pilots

  1. Check prerequisites

    Experienced operational pilot check must check prerequisites to access approval. This includes:

    • employed by an operator
    • approved by operator to conduct training
    • meets experience requirements.

  2. Complete training at Part 141 FTO

    Experienced pilots must then complete training. Training requirements include:

    • PMI
    • minimum 5 hours in non-command seat
    • assessment of competence to train at low level.

  3. Apply for approval to conduct relevant training and testing

    You can apply for our approval through a form.

  4. Complete e-learning modules

    After applying for approval, you must complete the required e-learning modules.

  5. Receive access to flight test management (FTM)

    You will then receive access to FTM from us to conduct testing activities.

  6. Exercise training and testing privileges

    You are then able to exercise training and testing privileges in accordance with approval conditions.

    These include:

    • operating for employer
    • training and test completed to manual of standards (MOS)
    • notifying us of test
    • ensuring applicant meets prerequisites.

Example

Amy is a highly experienced mustering pilot who holds a CPL(H), low-level rating and aerial mustering – helicopter endorsement. Amy has 3 years’ experience conducting mustering operations, and 2,500 hours pilot in command experience conducting mustering operations in helicopters.

ABC Muster employs Amy and has nominated her to become a training pilot. ABC Muster facilitates her enrolment with a Part 141 flight training operator to complete the training. ABC Muster has met the requirements to conduct training for the aerial mustering – helicopter endorsement under CASA 05/23.

Once Amy has completed the training course, she applies to us for access to the flight examiner e-learning training modules through the myCASA portal. After successfully completing the e-learning modules Amy now has access to the Flight Test Management (FTM) test notification system.

Amy can now conduct the training and flight test for Sam. Amy completes her training under ABC Muster’s approved training course.

After 2 years of conducting training and testing activities, Amy completes a check by an instructor. The instructor has the qualifications required to conduct the initial training and assessment of a trainer to ensure her ongoing competency to conduct training.

For Part 141 flight training operators

Part 141 operators conducting the trainer training must hold flight instructor rating on their 141 certificate and the capability to conduct low-level training.

Part 141 operators with these capabilities need not submit a significant change to conduct the trainer pilot training.

The course delivered must include:

  • PMI component of a flight Instructor course (CASA PIRC exam not required)
  • at least 5 hours dual flight training in a non-pilot command seat in the context of mustering training
  • assessment of the pilot’s competence to deliver training for the aerial mustering endorsement
  • issue of a certificate of completion.

Flight instructors delivering training must:

  • hold a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement
  • hold a low-level rating training endorsement
  • conduct the assessment.

Related rules and publications

Last updated:
22 Mar 2023
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/air-operators/training-and-testing-aerial-mustering-endorsements
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