Civil Aviation Legislation

Legislation is the process of making laws.

Primary Legislation

Primary legislation refers to laws made by Parliament. Primary legislation is created by drafting, debating and voting on bills. Once passed and assented to by the Governer-General, bills become laws.

The Civil Aviation Act of 1988 (CAA) is the primary legislation that created the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and empowered it to issue delegated legislation for civil aviation.

Delegated Legislation

Delegated legislation refers to laws made under the authority granted by primary legislation. Delegated law has the same power as a law made by the Australian Parliament. Parliament can overrule delegated law.

Legislation Issued by CASA

Laws introduced by CASA include the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR) and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR). CASA is progressively migrating and updating laws from the CAR to the CASR.

The CASR is made up of parts including:

• Administrative Matters

• Flight Operations

• Flight Crew Licensing

Administrative Matters

• Preliminary (Part 1): A general explanation of the structure of the regulations.

Flight Operations

• General Operating and Flight Rules (Part 91): Operating rules for all pilots.

• Australian Air Transport Operations - Rotorcraft (Part 133): Passenger, cargo or medical helicopter transport operations for hire or reward.

• Aerial Work Operations (Part 138): external load, dispensing and task specialist operations.

Flight Crew Licensing

• Flight Crew Licensing (Part 61): Flight crew licences, ratings and endorsements.

• Recreational, Private and Commercial Pilot Flight Training (Part 141): Requirements and standards for flight training.

CASA Guidance Material

Casa provides guidance to help you understand and follow the rules. If you use this information, you should be doing everything you need to fly safely and legally. However, they are not a replacement for the official rules.

Plain English Guides

• Fatigue Management Rules

• General Operating and Flight Rules

• Visual Flight Rules Guide

Advisory Circulars

• AC 1-01 - Understanding the Legislative Framework

• AC 91-10 - Operations in the Vicinity of Non-controlled Aerodromes

• AC 91-15 Guidelines for Aircraft Fuel Requirements

• AC 91-18 - Restraints of Infants and Children

• AC 91-29 - Guidelines for Helicopters – Suitable Places to Take-off and Land

External Links

• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)