Airworthiness and maintenance
January 2025
Continuing airworthiness for general aviation – Part 43
In progress
The proposed Part 43 will reduce administrative costs and set the rules for the maintenance of aircraft engaged in private and aerial work operations.
We’ve consulted over the last 4 years and have taken your feedback on board. We are currently putting the finishing touches on the proposed ruleset, implementation guidelines, and supporting material before seeking final endorsement.
Deliverables
- Final phase of regulation making and commencement
- Implementation – preparations are underway will continue through the transition period.
January 2025
Air transport and continuing airworthiness – Part 42 and Part 145
In progress
This will align the continuing airworthiness and maintenance regulations for all air transport sectors with the new flight operations safety risk framework.
Deliverables
- Regulation and MOS drafting to commence late 2025.
- Industry consultation will occur on the changes and guidance material.
January 2025
Enhance maintenance licence pathways
In progress
Continue to remove regulatory burden to assist in the attraction and retention of aircraft maintenance engineers.
Deliverables
- Policy development and consultation 2024, implementation progressively during 2025 with development and publication of the foreign recognition framework finalised by late 2025.
- Progressive changes to the Part 66 regulations and MOS in 2025-2026 to support exclusion removal by self-study improvements.
- Review and clarify LAME privileges for annual inspections of small, simple general aviation aircraft.
January 2025
Review unique airworthiness directives
In progress
Remove duplication and ensure any unique Australian differences align with contemporary policy and regulatory approaches.
Deliverables
- Collate inconsistencies between Australian directives and requirements specified by State of Design for an aircraft and consider how these can be streamlined.
- Discuss with industry with a view to scope potential changes that would deliver the greatest benefit without unacceptable effects on safety.
April 2025
Recognition of military qualifications
In progress
We will continue to work with Defence on pathways for recognition of military qualifications for pilots and Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAME).
Deliverables
- We will consider a recognition approach for Defence technical staff responsible for maintenance of communications, navigation and surveillance infrastructure
- We will review pilot and pilot instructor recognition
- We will consider recognition of Defence maintenance authorisations for LAME licensing