Part 135 non-scheduled passenger operations provide air transport services throughout Australia using smaller aeroplanes. These operations play an important role in:
- connecting regional and remote communities
- supporting tourism
- providing charter services
- delivering essential transport where larger airline services may not be available.
Aircraft operating under Part 135 often:
- fly to remote aerodromes
- operate in challenging weather conditions
- conduct single-pilot operations.
These characteristics create unique safety risks that require provisions for:
- effective planning
- risk management
- continuing airworthiness.
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) regulate Part 135 operations. The regulations set the requirements for Australian air transport operators conducting passenger transport services in smaller aeroplanes.
The principal regulations applicable to the sector include:
- CASR Part 119 – Australian Air Transport Operators – Certification and Management, which establishes for Australian air transport operators the requirements for:
- certification
- organisation
- Safety Management Systems.
- CASR Part 135 – Australian Air Transport Operations – Smaller Aeroplanes, which establishes the requirements for conducting non-scheduled passenger transport operations, including:
- flight planning
- fuel requirements
- crew qualifications
- procedures
- performance standards
- operational control.
- CASR Part 91 – General Operating and Flight Rules, which establishes the general operating rules applicable to Australian aircraft, including:
- pre-flight planning
- weather assessments
- fuel planning
- communication requirements
- performance
- aircraft equipment
- operations at controlled and non-controlled aerodromes.
- CASR Part 42 – Continuing Airworthiness Requirements for Aircraft, which establishes the continuing airworthiness responsibilities for aircraft owners and operators.
- CASR Part 145 – Approved Maintenance Organisations, which establishes the requirements for organisations performing maintenance on aircraft operated under Part 135 where applicable.
Supporting legislative instruments, including the relevant Manuals of Standards (MOS), provide detailed technical requirements that operators must comply with when conducting Part 135 operations.
In addition to regulatory compliance, Part 135 operators must:
- maintain effective Safety Management Systems that list hazards
- assess risk
- implement appropriate safety controls
- monitor the effectiveness of those controls.
Safety Management Systems (SMS) enable operators to proactively manage risks associated with:
- changing operational environments
- remote area operations
- weather
- infrastructure limitations
- continuing airworthiness.
This SSRP does not introduce new requirements. It highlights current safety issues and suggests practical ways to strengthen existing safety management practices.
You should view this report alongside an operator's SMS, operational procedures and existing CASA guidance material to support continuous improvement in aviation safety.