Business aviation sector safety risk profile

TWG recommendation - 31 October 2025

The release of the Technical Working Group recommendations for a comprehensive flight test for medium RPA category licences has been delayed.

This is to ensure full development of the proposal, benefits, risks, controls and impact to RePL holders and training organisations.

We aim to open consultation in the middle of 2026.

TWG recommendation - 21 July 2025

The TWG has agreed on a recommendation and submitted it to the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel for review. We expect to start public consultation in September 2025.

TWG established - 4 March 2025

We are working with industry through a TWG, established by the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel, on medium category and broader RPAS licensing framework improvements.

Project scoping commenced - 31 October 2025

CASA has approved the AAM aircraft pilot licensing project to establish the license and competency requirements.

The project plan is endorsed with the initial steps now underway. Industry engagement is planned to commence Q3 2026.

Consultation commenced - 21 July 2025

On 10 June 2025, we opened consultation on draft advisory circular (AC) 139.10 v1.0: Guidelines for vertical flight aircraft facilities at aerodromes designed for aeroplanes.

We intended the AC to provide guidance to aerodrome and aircraft operators in the planning, design and operation of facilities for both:

• helicopters
• vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft (VCA).

It applies to facilities located on an aerodrome that the designers of which may have only designed for fixed-wing aeroplanes.

Broad area BVLOS pathway trial - 31 October 2025

CASA is trialling 4 approval pathways for broad area BVLOS flight operations for 12 months until 15 October 2026.

A ReOC holder who meets the requirements and criteria for these BVLOS flight approvals may apply for and receive broad area BVLOS operations approval for 12 months.

Read the temporary management instruction Broad BVLOS Operations to find out how to apply.

SORA - New population density bands - 4 March 2025

We have reviewed and introduced new population density bands associated with the specific operations risk assessment (SORA) criteria, adapted for the Australian environment. These additional population bands give industry greater flexibility in the operational area by providing a more accurate ground risk classification and reducing unnecessary control measures.

The industry responded positively to our ‘Assessing Ground Risk for Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations’ webinar on 3 December 2024.

We are continuing to improve guidance and pathways for beyond visual line of sight operations and operations over and near people.

Exemption issued - 31 October 2025

We have been working closely with State and Territory Police forces and have issued exemption instruments to support police operations where drones can be used indoors.

Supporting first responders - 4 March 2025

We continue to support State and Territory first responders, to develop procedure manuals for scenario-based operations used in emergencies or recovery efforts.

We may issue exemption instruments from certain regulations to enable the efficient and timely use of RPAS during emergencies.

Consultation opened 13 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We're asking for feedback on:

• the current framework that supports research and development (R&D) operations
• how we can improve the safety and regulatory framework to better support R&D for uncrewed aircraft operations.

Submit your feedback by 9 December 2025 via our Consultation Hub to help shape support R&D for uncrewed aircraft operations.

Discussion paper update - 21 July 2025

We have scheduled the release of the discussion paper for July 2025. We completed an internal peer review and are preparing for public release through the consultation hub.

Discussion paper delay - 4 April 2025

The release of the discussion paper is experiencing a slight delay for public release. Internal peer review of the paper is expected to close in mid-April, after which CASA will consider feedback and determine next steps for engagement.

Due to standard practices around election periods, we now expect to release the paper after the election.

Discussion paper update - 23 September 2025

The discussion paper has been finalised. We are preparing for public release through the consultation hub in October 2025.
 

Milestone update - 25 November 2025

DG guidance delayed.

Due to conflicting priorities, we now expect delivery of the carriage of Dangerous Goods (DG) in Q1 2026. This change will not impact any DG advice or approvals required in the interim.

On track for consultation - 23 September 2025

Draft guidance material has been developed. We anticipate it to be released for public consultation in Q4 2025.

Investigating regulatory pathways - 4 April 2025

CASA continues to investigate regulatory pathways to enable commercial operations involving large RPAs without an airworthiness certificate. Communications with industry will be forthcoming once CASA has concluded its investigations.

Consultation opened 5 November 2025 - 25 November 2025

We would like your feedback on the draft advisory circular (AC) for airworthiness cybersecurity for remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

Airworthiness cybersecurity is about the protection of aviation information systems from cyber threats. most importantly, this relates to intentional unauthorised electronic interactions that may result in adverse effects upon the safety of an aircraft.

Submit your feedback by 5 December 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Guidance under review - 21 July 2025

Draft guidance material is undergoing final review. We expect to publish it for consultation by end of August 2025.

Roadmap for AAM Type Certification - 21 July 2025

The National Aviation Authorities Network released the Roadmap for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Type Certification on 17 June 2025.

It aims to ensure safety, support collaboration, encourage innovation and streamline the certification and validation process for new aircraft types across international borders.

Hydrogen symposium - 4 April 2025

We held a hydrogen and fuel cell airworthiness meeting on February 26, 2025. Industry shared key challenges and gaps in the regulations. This supports regulations for AAM aircraft in Australia.

Milestone update - 25 November 2025

We anticipate that we will deliver guidance via an Advisory Circular (AC) incorporating both the national policy position (AA2a) and relevant airworthiness criteria.

We are balancing the benefits of incorporating learnings from early applicants against finalising the AC in line with the original milestone. Consultation with the Biannual Roadmap Technical Working Group informs how we do so.

Hydrogen symposium - 21 July 2025

We held a hydrogen and fuel cell airworthiness meeting on 26 February 2025. Industry shared key challenges and gaps in the regulations. This work supports regulations for AAM aircraft in Australia.

Consultation Open 21 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We are seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the current requirements for airworthiness certification of large Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

This action is part of the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap.

The proposed amendment would provide flexibility in 2 areas:

• The types of certificates of airworthiness that may be used for operations of large RPA
• The circumstances where a certificate of airworthiness may not be required for operations of large RPA.

Submit your feedback by 21 November 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Regulation amendments - 23 September 2025

We are preparing amendments to the Part 101 regulations and MOS. These amendments will provide more flexibility for airworthiness certification of large RPA. We expect the proposed changes to be ready for public consultation by the end of 2025. It is important to note that this process depends on resources outside of CASA control, but we aim for the regulation to be made in the first half of 2026.

Consultation open 21 October 2025 - 31 October 2025

We are seeking your feedback on proposed changes to Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 100.24.

We intend these changes to reduce the administration and time involved in the maintenance authority application and approval process required for large Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

The amendment would establish a streamlined administrative arrangement to improve application and processing times.

Submit your feedback by 18 November 2025 via our Consultation Hub.

Continuing airworthiness - 21 July 2025

We are working to improve outcomes for maintenance permissions required under the current rules (e.g., CASR 101.260, 101.265, 101.020, and CAO 100.24).

We are focused on ensuring the competency of maintenance personnel and achieving practical outcomes that reflect the aircraft type and risk of operation.

We encourage industry to provide feedback to their TWG representatives.

Priority task - 4 March 2025

We have identified this as a priority task, and we have started working on it. We plan to deliver guidance progressively between now and Q2 2026.