We have proposed to make a Part 43 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) which will set out the rules for maintaining aircraft. These rules are proposed to apply to aircraft engaged in private, flight training, aerial application, and aerial work operations.
The proposed Part 43 will deliver on the recommendations of various reports on general aviation regulation to minimise the regulatory and administrative burden for the general aviation industry and provide appropriate and practical pathways for existing businesses.
Once implemented, Part 43 will deliver on the objective to reduce the regulatory burden and keep compliance costs as low as possible.
The proposed Part 43 will not apply to aircraft carrying out air transport operations under Parts 121, 133 or 135.
It will also not apply to:
- sport and recreational aviation operations - Part 103 of CASR
- balloons and hot airships - Part 131 of CASR.
Extensive consultation
We’ve consulted over the last 4 years and have taken your feedback on board. We are currently putting the finishing touches on the proposed ruleset, implementation guidelines, and supporting material before seeking final endorsement.
As a result of your feedback, we’ve made changes to:
- Inspection Authorisations: we have extended the renewal period from 2 years to 5 years and simplified the renewal requirements.
- B2 LAME privileges: a B2 LAME will have full preventive maintenance privileges.
- Aircraft maintenance technician certificate 1 (AMTC1) additional eligibility requirement: we require an applicant to demonstrate to us that they can satisfactorily carry out the maintenance for which the AMTC1 would be granted. For example, they must provide documentary evidence of competency.
- Aircraft maintenance technician certificate 2 (AMTC2) additional condition: applicants for an AMTC2 must demonstrate to us that they have sufficient knowledge of the aircraft and its systems. They need to show they can determine whether the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.
- Aircraft maintenance technician certificate 3 (AMTC3) variation of privileges: this certificate will only be valid for an aircraft owned by the holder of the AMTC3. This prevents an AMTC3 holder from carrying out inspections for others.
- Deferral of defects: we have added a provision that allows the pilot in command to defer the defect. This applies after the pilot has made reasonable efforts to contact the registered operator (RO) without success.
- Preventive maintenance: we have added a provision that allows an aerial work operator, who is not the RO, to authorise pilots to carry out preventive or pilot maintenance. This authorisation requires written permission from the RO.
- Transport category: we are providing more flexibility for the general aviation sector by allowing independent LAMEs to carry out annual inspections. It applies to transport category helicopters operating in private and aerial work operations.
Who it will affect
The proposed Part 43 will affect:
- registered aircraft owners and pilots
- maintainers of Part 43 aircraft
- licensed aircraft maintenance engineers
- other maintenance personnel.
What we propose
We are proposing a new and simpler set of rules for maintenance of Part 43 aircraft. It proposes to introduce a different way of working for some parts of the industry.
Registered operators
There will be no changes to the responsibilities of a registered operator under Part 43 compared to your responsibilities under the current rules and having maintenance carried out by a Part 145 or CAR 30 maintenance organisation.
As the registered operator of a Part 43 aircraft, you are responsible for:
- the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft
- keeping records of the aircraft and its maintenance
- reporting major defects
- ensuring that appropriately qualified people maintain the aircraft (in the case of an aerial work aircraft, approving pilots to carry out preventative and pilot maintenance).
Regular inspections will monitor the continuing airworthiness of a Part 43 aircraft.
You will have access to a greater range of inspection schedules and programs that you can choose to use. These can be scaled to suit the complexity and size of your aircraft.
As part of an aircraft's annual inspection, you must also ensure the aircraft continues to comply with the type certification basis (the requirements specified in the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness). This will ensure it is in a condition for safe operation. Annual inspections will include a document review to ensure the aircraft continues to comply with its certification basis.
Maintainers of a Part 43 aircraft
If you intend to provide maintenance services under Part 43, you will be able to provide most maintenance services for small non-complex aircraft used in:
- private operations
- flight training
- aerial work operations.
You may also be able to certify these maintenance services under the scope of your Part 66 licence. You can do this without holding a certificate of approval.
If you hold a B1 or B2 licence, you can provide maintenance services according to the applicable privileges, conditions, and limitations under:
- your Part 66 licence
- the Part 43 Manual of Standards.
If you provide maintenance services on a Part 43 type-rated aircraft, you will not need a type rating as long as you establish task-based familiarity.
Other maintenance personnel
On commencement Part 43 proposes to introduce 5 classes of aircraft maintenance technician certificates (AMTCs) to authorise persons for specialised maintenance of aircraft and aeronautical products.
Other AMTCs will be issued to maintainers of light sport aircraft and warbird, historic and replica aircraft.