Part 135 of CASR Australian air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes

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 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.

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.

7 legislative instruments available

Cockpit voice recorders - Instrument 2007
Commences:
CAO 103.20

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

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.

12 guidance material available

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

Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 - Passenger safety information

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.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 Passenger safety information (PDF, 1.59 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.3

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

Part 135 air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes AMC-GM

Updated:

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

DOWNLOAD Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC-GM) - Part 135 (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, Flight ops - General resource Version: 2.4

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

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

8 supporting resources available

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.

Part 135 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

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.

Related rules and publications

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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