Part 91 of CASR General operating and flight rules

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

New basic operating rules for all pilots commenced on 2 December 2021. 

Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) – General operating and flight rules, sets out the general operating rules for all pilots and operators. It consolidates all of the general operating and flight rules for Australian aircraft.

The rules cover:

  • documentation
  • flight crew and operator obligations
  • training
  • crew member obligations
  • safety of persons and cargo
  • classifications of operation
  • rules to prevent collision
  • communication
  • fuel
  • pre-flight planning and preparation
  • ground operations
  • aircraft performance and weight and balance
  • take-off and landing
  • low visibility operations
  • cruising levels and minimum heights
  • navigation
  • non-controlled aerodromes
  • icing
  • special flight operations
  • aircraft equipment
  • special certificates and permits
  • foreign aircraft
  • minimum equipment list
  • equipment.

Transition to new regulations

We have compiled information and resources about transitioning to the new regulations. Visit our Flight operations transition section to find out more. 

Who it affects

Part 91 applies to all aviation operations except drones. 

There are additional rules for pilots operating under an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) or other certificate, or those conducting defined activities such as aerial work, aerial application and some recreational aviation activities. These rules are in other CASR Parts and 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.

18 legislative instruments available

Multi-Engine Helicopters
Commences:
CASA EX70/25
Serviceability of equipment under the Part 91, 121, 133 and 135 Manuals of Standards
Commences:
CASA EX14/25
Radio Requirements (Approved Hang Gliding and Paragliding Events)
Commences:
CASA EX08/25
Part 91 of CASR – Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX67/24
Part 135, Subpart 121.Z and Part 91 of CASR - Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX71/24
Part 121 and Part 91 of CASR - Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX69/24

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.

30 guidance material available

AC 91-14 - Pilots' responsibility for collision avoidance

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 91-14 provides advice for pilots on collision avoidance through the 'see and avoid' principle. It also covers the use of radio to maintain separation in the air through ‘alerted see-and-avoid’.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-14 Pilots' responsibility for collision avoidance (PDF, 706.27 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.2

AC 91-23 - ADS-B for enhancing situational awareness

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-23 provides advice to aircraft owners and pilots about enhancing their situational awareness during flight through the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) technology.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-23 ADS-B for enhancing situational awareness (PDF, 1.14 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.0

AC 91-10 - Operations in the vicinity of non-controlled aerodromes

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-10 provides guidance on procedures that, when followed, will improve situational awareness and safety for all pilots when flying at, or in the vicinity of, non-controlled aerodromes.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-10 Operations in the vicinity of non-controlled aerodromes (PDF, 1.43 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.5

AC 91-16 - Wake turbulence

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-16 provides foundational information on wake vortex behaviour, alert pilots to the hazards of aircraft wake turbulence and to outline recommended operational procedures to avoid or manage wake turbulence encounters.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-16 Wake turbulence (PDF, 1.43 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.2

Part 91 general operating and flight rules AMC-GM

Updated:

Acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC/GMs) for Part 91 for general operating and flight rules.

DOWNLOAD Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC-GM) - Part 91 (PDF, 3.3 MB)
Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, Flight ops - General resource Version: 2.5

AC 91-25 - Fuel and oil safety

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-25 provides guidance on procedures and practices to ensure the safety of fuelling operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-25 Fuel and oil safety (PDF, 1.24 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.2

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.

9 supporting resources available

General Part 91 approvals application

Updated:

Use this form to apply for an initial issue, renewal of, or changes to general approvals issued under Part 91 of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

Approval to conduct air display application

Updated:

Use this form to apply to conduct an air display which includes a single ship display, fly-in competition, cross country event or fly-past with an open invitation to the general public to attend.

Part 91 approval low visibility application

Updated:

Use the Part 91 approval low visibility form if you intend to apply for an initial issue, renewal of, or changes to a low visibility approval issued under CASR Parts 91.

Navigation authorisation - RNP AR and RVSM

Updated:

Use the navigation authorisation - RNP AR and RVSM form if you intend to apply for an initial issue, renewal of, or changes to general approvals issued under CASR Part 91.

Minimum Equipment List application

Updated:

Use this form to apply for approvals under Part 91 for a minimum equipment list (MEL) for a particular type and model of aircraft. You can also request extensions of rectification intervals for existing MEL items.

Post display report (air display) notification

Updated:

Use this form to provide your Post Display Report and advise of any safety occurrences or details that relate to the oversight and running of the event.

Related content

Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-91-casr-general-operating-and-flight-rules
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