Part 135 of CASR Australian air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes

Rule status

Current

Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) covers the air transport rules for smaller aeroplanes.

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.

If you are operating under these rules, 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 rotorcraft air transport, you need to comply with other CASR flight operations parts.

Visit our flight operations transition section to find out more.

Who it affects

Part 135 of CASR applies to air transport operations in aeroplanes with:

  • a maximum operational passenger seating capacity of nine
  • a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 8,618 kg or less.

Subpart 121.Z applies if you are operating single-engine aeroplanes with a seating capacity of more than 9 seats. You must also comply with most of Part 135.

Some operators may be able to operate an aeroplane with up to 13 seats if they are already conducting these operations and meet the requirements.

All operators and pilots also need to comply with Part 91 of CASRGeneral operating and flight rules. Keep in mind Part 135 may add to or turn off some Part 91 requirements – either completely or partially.

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.

6 legislative instruments available

Part 135 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Cockpit voice recorders - Instrument 2007
Commences:
CAO 103.20
Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1

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.

6 non-legislative instruments available

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

Updated:

Acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC-GMs) for Part 135 Air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes.

Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, Flight ops - General resource Version: 2.4
Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-03 provides advice on CASR regulations pertaining the flight operations. They include Parts 91, 119, 121,133, 135 and 138 of CASR, specifically for those transitioning to these regulations on 2 December 2021.

Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 4.5
Updated:

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

Advisory Circular Version: 1.1
Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-05, AC 133-04 and AC 135-08 describes acceptable methods for calculating passenger, crew and checked baggage weights for an Australian air transport operator.

Advisory Circular Version: 1.1
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.

Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.1
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.

Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.1
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.

Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 3.3
Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for safety briefing cards and passenger safety briefings, instructions and demonstrations for operations.

Advisory Circular Version: 1.3
Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 135-13 provides guidance on compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Part 135 Manual of Standards (MOS) relating to the operation of PSEA.

Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.0
Updated:

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

Advisory Circular Version: 1.0
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.

Advisory Circular Version: 1.0
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.

Industry compliance template, Sample operations manual Version: 1.1
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.

Industry compliance template, Sample operations manual Version: 1.1

Supporting resources

Supporting resources related to this part will appear in this space. These are used in conjunction to support the formal guidance material listed above.

6 supporting resources available

This document is intended to assist persons who will conduct air transport operations under Part 135 or Subpart 121.Z of CASR to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

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

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.

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.

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).

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-135-casr-australian-air-transport-operations-smaller-aeroplanes
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