Responsibility of a registered operator
If you are the owner of an aircraft, you become the registered operator (RO) by default. This applies unless you appoint another person to be the registered operator in your place and notify us of the appointment.
As the registered operator of a Part 43 aircraft, you are responsible for:
- the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft
- keeping records of the aircraft and its maintenance. You cannot operate an aircraft unless you keep completed records of maintenance and the aircraft is approved for return to service
- reporting major defects.
The RO must elect to use Part 43 and select an inspection schedule for the aircraft. The rules provide the RO with several inspection schedule options, depending on the complexity and certification basis of their aircraft. These are:
- annual inspection based on Schedule 1 of the Manual of Standards (MOS)
- an annual inspection based on the aircraft manufacturers schedule
- progressive inspection as detailed in Schedule 2 of the MOS
- an Approved Inspection Program (AIP).
The RO of an aerial work aircraft is also responsible for approving pilots to carry out preventive and pilot maintenance on their aircraft.
Maintainer of a Part 43 aircraft
If you are providing maintenance services under Part 43, you will be able to provide most maintenance services for small non-complex aircraft used in:
- private operations
- aerial work operations.
You are also able to certify these maintenance services under the scope of their Part 66 licence without holding a certificate of approval which is required under the current rules. Part 43 will provide direct benefits to these businesses through reduced costs and increased flexibility.
If you hold a B1 or B2 licence, you can provide maintenance services according to the applicable privileges, conditions, and limitations under:
- your Part 66 of CASR licence
- the additional privileges, limitations, and conditions to be set out in Part 43 Manual of Standards and detailed in the Plain English Guide
- regulations 11.056, 11.067 or 11.068 of CASR (general conditions about granting authorisations).
When providing maintenance services, you will not require a type rating to exercise your licence privileges.
Inspection Authorisations
Under Part 43 there will be 2 types of Inspection Authorisations (IA):
- Mechanical – B1 LAME
- Avionics – B2 LAME.
Mechanical IA
To apply for a mechanical IA, you must have:
- held a Part 66 of CASR B1 licence for 3 years
- exercised privileges of that licence for 2 years
- successfully complete a training course approved by us or hold a
- FAA or PNG CAA or NZCAA inspection authorisation
- CASA Certificate of airworthiness delegation.
Avionics IA
To apply for an Avionics IA, you must have:
- held a Part 66 of CASR B2 licence for 3 years
- exercised the privileges of their licence for 2 years.
No IA training course is required.
Once granted, an IA will remain in force for a period of 5 years.
Aircraft maintenance technician certificate
An aircraft maintenance technician certificate (AMTC) is an individual authorisation to perform or supervise certain maintenance, and approve it for return to service, of:
- aircraft
- engine
- propeller
- aeronautical product.
Under Part 43, 5 classes of AMTC will be available. This includes:
- AMTC1 for specialised maintainers of type certificated aircraft and aeronautical products
- AMTC2 for primary builders of amateur-built aircraft and experimental LSA
- AMTC3 for inspectors of amateur-built aircraft and experimental LSA
- AMTC4 for maintainers of LSAÂ
- AMTC 5 for maintainers of warbird, historical and replica (WHR) aircraft.
Transition periods
The following transition periods for Part 43 will apply:
- 12 months for maintenance authorisations holders to transition to aircraft maintenance technician certificates
- 36 months for CAR 30 maintenance organisations to become either a:
- Part 43 (only) maintenance business
- transition to a Part 145 approved maintenance organisation. Please note: this timeframe will be reviewed to align with the Air Transport Continuing Airworthiness project.
