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.

Read more
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

Part 133 and Part 91 of CASR – Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX70/24
Part 138 and Part 91 of CASR - Supplementary exemptions and directions
Commences:
CASA EX72/24
Canungra Spandicup paragliding
Commences:
CASA EX56/24
The Corryong Inter-Club Fly-in
Commences:
CASA EX14/24
The Paragliding State of Origin
Commences:
CASA EX18/24
Low-level Operations (Air Displays and Aerobatic Manoeuvres)
Commences:
CASA EX07/24

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

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 1-02 - Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-02 provides information to the aviation industry, detailing the requirements to have and maintain an exposition or operations manual to meet the regulatory requirements of CASR and the MOS.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-02 Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals (PDF, 1.03 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 4.1

AC 91-07 - Cabin electronic flight bags

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-07 provides operator guidance in relation to cabin electronic flight bags, extracts of which have been taken from International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Doc 10111 Manual on the Implementation and Use of Cabin Electronic Flight Bags.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-07 Cabin electronic flight bags (PDF, 624.07 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

AC 91-21 - Air displays

Updated:

AC 91-21 provides guidance on the application for an approval to conduct an air display, and the management of air displays, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).

DOWNLOAD AC 91-21 Air displays (PDF, 3.24 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.3

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

AC 91-17 - Electronic flight bags

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-17 provides information and guidance in the use of Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) as a replacement for paper in the aircraft.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-17 Electronic flight bags (PDF, 660.19 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.4

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

Approval for operations in North Atlantic high-level airspace (NAT HLA) application

Updated:

Use this form to provide details for the initial issue, renewal or variation of the North Atlantic high-level airspace (NATHLA) approval.

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 91 of CASR Key operational changes

Updated:

This document is intended to assist operators and persons who will conduct operations under Part 91 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-91-casr-general-operating-and-flight-rules
Back to top of page