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

There are no legislative instruments available for this rule.

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.

14 non-legislative instruments available

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.

30 guidance material available

AC 91-33 - Flight in airspace with volcanic ash contamination

Updated:

AC 91-33 provides guidance on operating into or near airspace, located in Australia or overseas, that are known or suspected of being contaminated with volcanic ash or at aerodromes with runway volcanic ash contamination.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-33 Flight in airspace with volcanic ash contamination (PDF, 695.84 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

CAAP 48-01 - Fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​

Updated:

CAAP 48-01 provides guidance on meeting the AOC holder and flight crew member (FCM) obligations in relation to fatigue risk management, required under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 Instrument 2019.

DOWNLOAD CAAP 48-01 fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​ (PDF, 3.07 MB)
Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 3.3

Multi-Part AC 91-32 and AC 139-22 - Global reporting format - Runway surface condition

Updated:

This AC provides guidance on implementation of the Global Reporting Format (GRF). The GRF provides an internationally harmonised and standardised method of assessing and reporting runway surface conditions which impact on flight operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-32 and AC 139-22 - Global reporting format - Runway surface condition (PDF, 2.21 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 91-29 - Guidelines for helicopters – suitable places to take off and land

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-29 - This AC provides guidance to assist pilots in assessing the suitability of a place for a helicopter to safely take off and land.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-29 Guidelines for helicopters - suitable places to take off and land (PDF, 732.66 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.3

Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - Emergency locator transmitters

Updated:

This AC provides guidance regarding the requirements for registration and use of emergency location transmitters for operations that fall under Parts 91, 121, 133, and 135 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - emergency locator transmitters (PDF, 320.55 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

CAAP 181A-1 - Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) approvals

Updated:

CAAP 181A-1 provides guidance on RVSM operations, including comprehensive information on gaining airworthiness and operational approvals. It is for Australian aircraft owners, operators and flight crew, enabling them to conduct operations safely.

DOWNLOAD CAAP 181A-1 Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) approvals (PDF, 429.85 KB)
Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 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

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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