Part 21 of CASR Certification and airworthiness requirements for aircraft and parts

Rule status

Current

Part 21 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CASR) sets out the certification and airworthiness requirements for aircraft and aircraft parts. It includes rules relating to:

  • type certificates
  • type acceptance certificates
  • supplemental type certificates
  • production certificates
  • certificates of airworthiness
  • export airworthiness approvals.

Part 21 also covers the approval of aircraft engines, propellers, and certain materials and parts. It references the airworthiness certification standards mentioned in Parts 22-35. These include:

  • Part 22 - Sailplanes
  • Part 23 - Small Aeroplanes
  • Part 25 - Transport Category Aeroplanes
  • Part 26 - Primary/Intermediate category aeroplanes
  • Part 27 - Rotorcraft
  • Part 29 - Rotorcraft (Transport Category)
  • Part 31 - Manned free balloons
  • Part 32 - Engines for Very Light Aeroplanes
  • Part 33 - Aircraft Engines
  • Part 35 - Aircraft propellers.

Subpart 21.H

Subpart 21.H covers the certification of a new category of aircraft called Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). This includes aircraft used for aviation sport and recreational activities, such as:

  • ultra- light airplanes
  • gliders
  • balloons
  • powered parachutes
  • weight-shift control aircraft
  • gyroplanes.

Subpart 21.J

Subpart 21.J sets out the rules for certification and operations of approved design organisations (ADOs). The ADOs may carry out certain design and technical data approval functions regulated by Part 21, without further reference to CASA or an authorised person.

Who it affects

Part 21 of CASR affects anyone in the Australian aviation community involved in the design, manufacture and airworthiness certification of aircraft, aeronautical products and parts.

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.

8 legislative instruments available

There are no legislative instruments available for this rule.

Non-legislative instruments

Non-legislative instruments apply to a particular person. There are some exemptions to regulatory requirements in aviation regulations or a Manual of Standards listed here.

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

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.

52 guidance material available

AC 21.1 - Aircraft airworthiness certification categories and designations explained

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 21-01 provides guidance to understand the Australian system of civil aircraft airworthiness categorisation and designation prior CARs, and specifically CASR Part 21 Subpart H, 'Certificates of Airworthiness' being issued. Also known as AC 21.1(1).

DOWNLOAD AC 21-01 Aircraft airworthiness certification categories and designations explained (PDF, 67.47 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 21-02 - Standard certificates of airworthiness

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 21-02 provides guidance and information to the public, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) staff and persons applying for the issue of standard certificates of airworthiness.

DOWNLOAD AC 21-02 Standard certificates of airworthiness (PDF, 509.71 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.2

AC 21-03 - Overview of special certificates of airworthiness

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 21-03 provides guidance and information to the public, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) staff and persons applying for the issue of Special Certificates of Airworthiness (CoAs).

DOWNLOAD AC 21-03 Overview of special certificates of airworthiness (PDF, 324.81 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 3.1

AC 21.4 - Amateur-built experimental aircraft - certification

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 21-04 provides guidance and information to applicants applying for an experimental certificate issued for amateur-built aircraft in Australia, subsequent to the issue of a CoA under CASR Subpart 21.H.

DOWNLOAD AC 21-04 Certification of amateur-built experimental aircraft (PDF, 82.96 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.0

AC 21-05 - Certification of limited category aircraft

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 21-05 explains the process for certifying a limited category aircraft under Subpart 21.H of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

DOWNLOAD AC 21-05 Certification of limited category aircraft (PDF, 415.76 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.2

AC 21.6 - Certification of restricted category aircraft

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 21-06 provides guidance and information for our staff and applicants applying for type certification and special certificates of airworthiness issued for aircraft in the restricted categories under CASR Subpart 21.H.

DOWNLOAD AC 21-06 Certification of restricted category aircraft (PDF, 59.52 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-21-casr-certification-and-airworthiness-requirements-aircraft-and-parts
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