Part 133 of CASR Australian air transport operations rotorcraft

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 133 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) covers the rules for air transport in rotorcraft.

The term ‘air transport’ replaces both charter, regular public transport (RPT) and air ambulance when conducted for hire or reward. It adds the transport of medical supplies or medical personnel for hire or reward as well.

You should also read Part 119 which deals with the general certification and management for air transport operations.

If you conduct other operations, such as aerial work, you need to comply with other CASR flight operations Parts.

Visit our flight operations transition section to find out more. 

Who it affects

Part 133 applies to air transport operations in:

  • helicopters
  • gyroplanes
  • powered lift aircraft.

All operators and pilots also need to comply with Part 91 of CASR General operating and flight rules. Please note Part 133 may add to or turn off some Part 91 requirements – either completely or partially.

Legislation

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments apply to a broad range of people. These instruments include Manuals of Standards and exemptions to regulatory requirements.

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

4 legislative instruments available

Use of certain external load equipment in SAR and medical transport operations
Commences:
CASA EX51/26
Serviceability of equipment under the Part 91, 121, 133 and 135 Manuals of Standards
Commences:
CASA EX14/25
Transitional training and checking requirements for crew members in Part 133 operations exemption
Commences:
CASA EX77/24
Flight operations regulations - SMS, HFP&NTS and T&C Systems - Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX73/24
View all legislative instruments for Part 133 of CASR

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.

14 guidance material available

Multi-Part AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 - Passengers seated in emergency exit row seats

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 provides guidance regarding the requirements for assigning passengers to seats in an emergency exit row for operations that fall under Parts 133, 135 and 121 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 Passengers seated in emergency exit row seats (PDF, 370.94 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.1

Multi-Part AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 - Carriage of special categories of passenger

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for the carriage of special categories of passengers (SCPs) for operations that fall under Parts 91, 133, 135 and 121 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 Carriage of special categories of passenger (PDF, 451.18 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.1

Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 - Carry-on baggage

Updated:

Advisory Circular Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 provides guidance regarding the requirements for carry-on baggage

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 Carry-on baggage (PDF, 712.67 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

CAAP 48-01 - Fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​

Updated:

CAAP 48-01 provides guidance on meeting the AOC holder and flight crew member (FCM) obligations in relation to fatigue risk management, required under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 Instrument 2019.

DOWNLOAD CAAP 48-01 fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​ (PDF, 3.07 MB)
Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 3.3

Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - Emergency locator transmitters

Updated:

This AC provides guidance regarding the requirements for registration and use of emergency location transmitters for operations that fall under Parts 91, 121, 133, and 135 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - emergency locator transmitters (PDF, 320.55 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 1-04 - Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness

Updated:

This AC provides guidance for operators relating to their management of the continuing airworthiness, and maintenance, of aircraft being used for their operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-04 Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness (PDF, 326.02 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

Supporting resources

8 supporting resources available

Part 133, 135 or 138 sample training and checking manual

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.

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.

Part 133 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

This document is intended to assist persons who will conduct air transport operations under Part 133 of CASR to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

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.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-133-casr-australian-air-transport-operations-rotorcraft
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