Part 138 of CASR Aerial work operations

Flight operation regulations have changed

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

Read more.
Flight operation regulations have changed

Rule status

Current

Part 138 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) sets out the rules for operators conducting aerial work operations. Aerial work operations include external load, dispensing and task specialist operations.

It incorporates the relevant requirements directly in a nationally consistent manner. Operators in this category hold an aerial work certificate. 

If you conduct other operations, such as air transport, you will need to comply with other CASR flight operations Parts.

Visit our flight operations transition section to find out more. 

Who it affects

This rule affects all operators and pilots who conduct aerial work operations.

All operators and pilots also need to comply with Part 91 of CASR General operating and flight rules. Keep in mind Part 138 may add to or turn off some Part 91 requirements either completely or partially.

Aeroplane operators may choose whether to conduct dispensing operations under Part 138 or Part 137 of CASR Aerial application operations.

Requirements for the dropping or releasing of any substance overlap for Part 138 and Part 137. Note: Part 137 only applies to aeroplanes.

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.

9 legislative instruments available

Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1
View all legislative instruments for Part 138 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.

15 guidance material available

Multi-Part AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 - Management of change for air transport and aerial work operators

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 - This multi-part AC provides guidance to all persons involved in the aviation industry who are seeking an improved understanding of the process of management of change.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 119-07 and AC 138-03 Multi-Part Management of change for air transport and aerial work operators (PDF, 1.34 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - Management of change Version: 2.5

AC 138-05 - Aerial work risk management

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 138-05 provides advice for Part 138 operators on how to comply with the risk assessment provisions in the Part 138 MOS as they apply to operators who are not required to have a safety management system (SMS).

DOWNLOAD AC 138-05 Aerial work risk management (PDF, 860.58 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 3.0

Multi-Part AC 91-13, AC 133-09 and AC 138-06 - Night vision imaging - helicopters

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular 91-13, AC 133-09 and AC 138-06 provides guidance on the conduct of helicopter operations using NVIS. This publication supports and expands upon the content of Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 91, Part 133 and Part 138 and relevant Manual of Standards (MOS).

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 91-13, AC 133-09 and AC 138-06 - Night vision imaging - helicopters (PDF, 1.29 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.3

AC 1-03 - Transitioning to the flight operations regulations

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.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-03 Transitioning to the flight operations regulations (PDF, 1.48 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 5.0

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.

12 supporting resources available

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).

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 138 Aerial work operations

Updated:

Use this worksheet to confirm your training and checking system complies with the regulations for training and checking systems in accordance with Part 138 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Part 138 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

This document is intended to assist persons who will conduct aerial work operations under Part 138 of CASR to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-138-casr-aerial-work-operations
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