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

Crew Life Jackets (SMA-2160 Series)
Commences:
CASA EX89/23
Air Displays (Temora Historic Flight Club) Ongoing Approval
Commences:
CASA 30/22
Part 91 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Part 137 and Part 91 of CASR – Supplementary Exemptions and Directions
Commences:
CASA EX92/22
Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1
Cockpit voice recorders - Instrument 2007
Commences:
CAO 103.20

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

Dropping or Releasing Things from Aircraft (Grollo Aviation – Evader RPA Test Flights)
CASA EX80/22
Determination for Part 91 MOS Amendment Instrument 2021 (No. 1)
CASA 88/21

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.

30 guidance material available

AC 91-12 - Conduct of practice autoland operations

Updated:

Advisory circular AC 91-12 provides guidance on the conduct of practice autoland operations on CAT I runways, or on CAT II/III runways that are not subject to Air Traffic Control (ATC) protection of relevant instrument landing system (ILS) critical and sensitive areas.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-12 Conduct of practice autoland operations (PDF, 650.1 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

AC 91-22 - Aircraft checklists

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-22 provides guidance on establishing and using aircraft checklists.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-22 Aircraft checklist (PDF, 755.76 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 2.1

AC 91-15 - Guidelines for aircraft fuel requirements

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-15 provides information on fuel requirements for aircraft that are being used to conduct Part 91 operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-15 Guidelines for aircraft fuel requirements (PDF, 1.48 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.2

AC 91-03 - Carriage of assistance animals

Updated:

The purpose of this Advisory Circular AC 91-03 is to provide information that will assist pilots and operators in understanding the requirements for the carriage of assistance animals.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-03 Carriage of assistance animals (PDF, 343.75 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

AC 91-28 - Crew safety during turbulence

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 91-28 provides information and guidance to operators and their crew members regarding CASR Subpart 91.525 to assist with establish procedures, crew coordination and communication regarding turbulence management.

DOWNLOAD AC 91-28 Crew safety during turbulence (PDF, 364.62 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 - Passenger safety information

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for safety briefing cards and passenger safety briefings, instructions and demonstrations for operations.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 Passenger safety information (PDF, 1.59 MB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.3

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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