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.

15 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
Low-level Operations (Air Displays and Aerobatic Manoeuvres)
Commences:
CASA EX07/24
Air Displays (Temora Historic Flight Club) Ongoing Approval
Commences:
CASA 30/22

Non-legislative instruments

Non-legislative instruments apply to a particular person. Some exemptions to regulatory requirements in aviation regulations or a Manual of Standards may be listed here.

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

17 non-legislative instruments available

Night Marine Pilot Transfer Operations at Hay Point, Qld (Heli-Aust Whitsundays)
CASA EX13/25
Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd - Non-display of External Lights - Renewal
CASA EX66/24
Skytraders Pty Ltd – ADF Night Parachute Training Operations at Darling Road Drop Zone
CASA EX58/24
Determination for Part 91 MOS Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 2)
CASA 109/21

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.

32 guidance material available

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

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 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

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

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