Part 119 of CASR Australian air transport operators - certification and management

Flight operation regulations have changed

The flight operations rules changed on 2 December 2021. See all information about transitioning.

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Flight operation regulations have changed

Rule status

Current

Part 119 of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) sets out the certification and management rules for air transport. Many of the rules are scalable for operations of different sizes and complexities.

The term air transport replaces both charter and regular public transport (RPT) and adds medical transport operations such as patient transport.

The Part 119 rules include:

  • qualifications for key personnel
  • requirements for change management for operations
  • scalable training and checking system (T and C)
  • scalable human factors and non-technical training (HF/NTS) 
  • scalable Safety Management Systems (SMS).

There are exemptions from Part 119 requirements, and directions that require additional compliance, in instrument CASA EX82/21. CASA has received multiple queries about the following two exemptions:

  • Section 7AA of CASA EX68/24 changes certain hire or reward flights to private flights. This applies to operators conducting certain flights for business, government or owner purposes. This exemption means the operator does not need to hold an AOC or comply with the air transport CASR Part 121, 133, or 135 for these flights. This exemption will be replaced once CASA consults on, and implements, enduring safety controls within the Part 119 MOS. The first stage of this work will focus on business and owner aviation.
  • Section 7AB of CASA EX68/24 allows non-scheduled air transport or medical transport operators to cross-hire aircraft without pre-approval. The aircraft must not be one that is used for scheduled air transport. Other conditions also apply. Read the exemption for further details. This exemption currently lasts until 1 December 2024 but will be extended for a full 3 years to enable time for the Air Transport Continuing Airworthiness Project to be conducted.

Who it affects

Part 119 of CASR applies to all operators conducting, or intending to conduct, Australian air transport operations. These operators are called Australian air transport operators, previously known as:

  • charter operations
  • RPT operations
  • air ambulance operations.

While Part 119 deals with general certification and management, additional rules apply depending on your operations. 

You will also need to comply with two or more of the following:

Legislation

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments include exemptions to regulatory requirements in aviation regulations or a Manual of Standards.

Exemptions may apply to a broad range of people.

Instruments related to this part will display in this space or you can view our list of legislative instruments.

4 legislative instruments available

There are no legislative instruments available for this rule.

Non-legislative instruments

Non-legislative instruments apply to a particular person. Some exemptions to regulatory requirements in aviation regulations or a Manual of Standards may be listed here.

Non-legislative instruments related to this part will display in this space or you can view our list of non-legislative instruments.

3 non-legislative instruments available

There are no non-legislative instruments available for this rule.

Guidance material

Advisory material provides advice and guidance to explain particular regulatory requirements of a CASR Part. Guidance material relating to this part will appear in this space or you can view all our guidance material.

13 guidance material available

Part 133, 135 or 138 sample training and checking manual (limited to flight crew member content only)

Updated:

The scope of the 2 sample training and checking manuals (sample manuals) and their guide extends to detailing sample training and checking system content applicable to flight crew members, air crew members, cabin crew members, and medical transport specialists.

DOWNLOAD Part 133, 135, or 138 sample training and checking manual (limited to flight crew member content only) (DOCX, 472.1 KB)
Industry compliance template, Sample operations manual Version: 1.1

Supporting resources

12 supporting resources available

Part 119 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

This document is intended to assist future air transport operators to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

Air operator's certificate process manual

Updated:

The Air Operator's Certificate Process Manual sets out a national standard procedure for processing an Air Operator’s Certificate's (AOC).

Training and checking determinations plain English

Updated:

The purpose of this document is to present and summarise the key elements of these determinations in plainer English, as the legal instruments themselves are relatively lengthy, repetitive and complex.

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams

Updated:

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams. The introduction of the new flight operations regulations on 2 December 2021 will mean changes to the various flight crew licensing (FCL) theory exams.

CASR flight operations sample exposition / operations manual

Updated:

This Guide assists operators using the associated CASR Flight Operations Sample Exposition / Operations Manual template in Word format. The contents in this Guide, the associated Word, and MAAT templates has been structured in a logical order and provides clear references to the legislative requirements.

Non-significant changes

Updated:

Use this non-significant changes form to notify CASA of non-significant changes under Parts 119, 131 and 138 of CASR.

Air operator's certificate and associated approvals

Updated:

Use this form to apply for an initial air operator's certificate (AOC). Individuals or organisations can apply.

FOR Transition – Training and Checking System

Updated:

Use this form to submit, and apply for an approval of, the Training and Checking System section of an exposition or operations manual as part of the transition to Parts 119, 121, 133, 135, and 138 of the CASR.

Self-assessment worksheet - TCS Transitional Operator - Part 121 larger aeroplanes

Updated:

Use this self-assessment worksheet to confirm your training and checking system complies with the regulations for training and checking systems in accordance with Part 119 and Part 121 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Self-assessment worksheet - TCS Transitional Operator - Part 133 rotorcraft

Updated:

Use this self-assessment worksheet to confirm your training and checking system complies with the regulations for training and checking systems in accordance with Part 119 and Part 133 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Self-assessment worksheet - TCS Transitional Operator - Part 135 smaller aeroplanes

Updated:

Use this self-assessment worksheet to confirm your training and checking system complies with the regulations for training and checking systems in accordance with Part 119 and Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Self-assessment worksheet - Transitional operator - Safety management systems

Updated:

Use this self-assessment worksheet to confirm your safety management system complies with the regulations for safety management systems in accordance with Subpart 119.F and Division 138.B.6 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

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Manuals and handbooks

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-119-casr-australian-air-transport-operators-certification-and-management
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