Instrument number CASA 31/23
I, CHRISTOPHER PAUL MONAHAN, Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.056, 61.040 and 141.035 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
[Signed Chris Monahan]
Christopher P. Monahan
Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards
23 June 2023
Contents
Page
Part 2 — Approval of operators to conduct flight training for sling operations endorsement
12 Approval — aeroplane firefighting endorsement and aerial application rating
13 Approval — helicopter firefighting endorsement and aerial application rating
This instrument is CASA 31/23 — Flight Training and Flight Tests for Grant of Sling Operations, Winch and Rappelling Operations, and Firefighting Endorsements Approval 2023.
This instrument:
(a) commences on the day after it is registered; and
(b) is repealed at the end of 28 February 2026.
Note In this instrument, certain terms and expressions have the same meaning as they have in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the regulations. The terms defined in the CASR Dictionary are: aerial work certificate, AOC, Part 61 Manual of Standards and Part 141 operator. The terms defined in regulation 61.010 of CASR are: category, flight examiner, flight test, flight training, pilot in command under supervision, pilot instructor and pilot licence.
In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:
aeroplane firefighting endorsement means the endorsement mentioned in column 1 of item 4 of table 61.1120.
aircraft of the relevant category, for a firefighting endorsement or an aerial application rating, means the category of aircraft to which the endorsement or rating relates.
authorised dual flight, for an endorsement or an aerial application rating, means dual flight (within the meaning of regulation 61.010) but with a pilot approved under this instrument to conduct flight training and flight tests for the endorsement or rating occupying a flight control seat rather than a pilot instructor.
course completion certificate has the same meaning as in paragraph 61.195(2)(e) of CASR.
firefighting endorsement means:
(a) an aeroplane firefighting endorsement; or
(b) a helicopter firefighting endorsement.
FTM means the flight test management system administered by CASA.
helicopter firefighting endorsement means the endorsement mentioned in column 1 of item 5 of table 61.1120.
Part 61 MOS means the Part 61 Manual of Standards.
Part 141 flight training has the meaning given by subregulation 141.015(1) of CASR.
sling operations endorsement means the endorsement mentioned in column 1 of item 8 of table 61.1075.
table 61.1075 means the table in regulation 61.1075 of CASR.
table 61.1120 means the table in regulation 61.1120 of CASR.
winch and rappelling operations endorsement means the endorsement mentioned in column 1 of item 9 of table 61.1075.
Part 2 — Approval of operators to conduct flight training for sling operations endorsement
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056 and 141.035 of CASR.
(1) An operator who holds an aerial work certificate under Part 138 of CASR that authorises the conduct by a helicopter of the operations mentioned in the activity authorised by a sling operations endorsement is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050 of CASR, to conduct flight training for a sling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(2) The operator must ensure compliance with the conditions in section 5.
(1) The flight training must be managed by the operator’s head of operations or head of training and checking.
(2) The operator must not employ or engage (whether by contract or other arrangement) a person to conduct the flight training unless the person is approved under subsection 6(2) to do so.
(3) The operator’s operations manual must contain a description of the flight training activities and state who may conduct them.
(4) Flight training for a sling operations endorsement must not be conducted unless the person conducting the training is authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of that endorsement.
(5) The flight training must meet the following requirements:
(a) the aeronautical knowledge training, practical flight training and assessments must comply with the Part 61 MOS;
(b) the practical flight training must include at least 10 sling load operations, conducted during at least 3 flights in an aircraft of the same type as that to be used for the sling load operations following the successful completion of the training;
(c) both the theoretical and practical components of the flight training must be conducted in a suitable ground environment and airspace, with appropriate facilities and training resources;
(d) the aircraft used for the flight training must be airworthy and suitable for the training;
(e) the person conducting the training must be competent to conduct the flight training (including assessment).
(6) Flight training for a sling operations endorsement must not be delivered to an applicant unless the applicant:
(a) has completed at least 50 hours as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
(b) meets the relevant requirements in table 61.1075 for the grant of the endorsement.
(7) A course completion certificate must be issued to an applicant who successfully completes the flight training that specifies the names of the operator, the person conducting the training and the applicant (in addition to the details required for such a certificate under paragraph 61.195(2)(e) of CASR).
(8) A record of the following details must be made by the person conducting the training as soon as practicable after the successful completion of flight training by an applicant, and kept by the operator in a secure place for a period of at least 3 years:
(a) the applicant’s name, ARN and dates of commencement and completion of flight training;
(b) for each flight training activity:
(i) the location; and
(ii) the date; and
(iii) the aircraft type and registration mark; and
(iv) the flight time, and whether the flight was undertaken by the applicant in authorised dual flight, solo or as pilot in command under supervision; and
(v) the results of the applicant’s performance measured against the relevant Part 61 MOS competency requirements;
(c) a copy of the applicant’s course completion certificate together with the additional details required under subsection (7).
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056, 61.040 and 141.035 of CASR.
(1) This section applies in relation to a pilot who:
(a) holds:
(i) a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence; and
(ii) a low-level rating and a sling operations endorsement; and
(b) is employed or engaged (whether by contract or other arrangement) by an operator approved under section 4; and
(c) has at least 1 000 hours experience as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
(d) at least 2 years operational experience conducting sling load operations, including the conduct of at least 100 sling load operations; and
(e) is qualified in principles and methods of instruction:
(i) by having completed an approved course of training in principles and methods of instruction delivered by a Part 141 operator; or
(ii) by holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; or
(iii) by holding a tertiary qualification in teaching; and
(f) has completed a course of instructor training, delivered by a Part 141 operator, that:
(i) comprises at least 5 hours dual flight training in a non‑pilot in command seat; and
Note This would provide evidence of the trainer’s competency in flying an aircraft in a control seat from which flight training will be delivered.
(ii) is delivered by a flight instructor who holds:
(A) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(B) a low-level rating training endorsement or a sling operations training endorsement; and
(iii) involves an assessment by the flight instructor of the pilot’s competency to deliver flight training; and
(g) has successfully completed the e-learning modules of the Flight examiner rating course, prepared by CASA:
(i) if completed before this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time the pilot completed the course; or
(ii) if completed after this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time this instrument commences.
Note The details of this course can be found on the internet at: https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/flight-examiners/flight-examiner-rating-course.
(2) The pilot is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050, to conduct flight training for the grant of a sling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
Note This approval authorises the pilot to conduct training that falls within the ambit of paragraph (1)(e) of the definition of Part 141 flight training in regulation 141.015 of CASR.
(3) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.245(3), to conduct a flight test for the grant of a sling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(4) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.150(7), to grant a sling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(5) The approvals in this section are subject to the conditions in section 7.
A pilot who is approved under section 6 must ensure compliance with the following conditions:
(a) the pilot must, in relation to an approval under subsection 6(2), complete a recurrent check every 2 years in conducting flight training, assessed by a flight instructor who holds:
(i) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(ii) a low-level rating training endorsement or a sling operations training endorsement;
(b) the pilot must, if conducting a flight test under an approval in subsection 6(3), comply with the following requirements and obligations of Part 61 of CASR as if the pilot were a flight examiner:
(i) subregulation 61.1275(3);
(ii) paragraph 61.1280(3)(e);
(iii) regulation 61.1295;
(iv) subregulations 61.1300(4) and (5);
(c) the pilot must be registered with FTM and use the FTM as the method of flight test notification for the flight test.
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056 and 141.035 of CASR.
(1) An operator who holds an aerial work certificate under Part 138 of CASR that authorises the conduct by a helicopter of the operations mentioned in the activity authorised by a winch and rappelling operations endorsement is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050 of CASR, to conduct flight training for a winch and rappelling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(2) The operator must ensure compliance with the conditions in section 9.
(1) The flight training must be managed by the operator’s head of operations or head of training and checking.
(2) The operator must not employ or engage (whether by contract or other arrangement) a person to conduct the flight training unless the person is approved under subsection 10(2) to do so.
(3) The operator’s operations manual must contain a description of the flight training activities and state who may conduct them.
(4) Flight training for a winch and rappelling operations endorsement must not be conducted unless the person conducting the training is authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of that endorsement.
(5) The flight training must meet the following requirements:
(a) the aeronautical knowledge training, practical flight training and assessments must comply with the Part 61 MOS;
(b) the practical flight training must include:
(ii) at least 3 flights in an aircraft of the same type as that to be used for the winch or rappelling operations following the successful completion of the training; and
(iii) at least 5 winch or rappelling operations conducted during the total of the conducted flights, at least 1 of which is conducted during each flight;
(c) both the theoretical and practical components of the flight training must be conducted in a suitable ground environment and airspace, with appropriate facilities and training resources;
(d) the aircraft used for the flight training must be airworthy and suitable for the training;
(e) the person conducting the training must be competent to conduct the flight training (including assessment).
(6) Flight training for a winch and rappelling operations endorsement must not be delivered to an applicant unless the applicant:
(a) has completed at least 100 hours as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
(b) meets the relevant requirements in table 61.1075 for the grant of the endorsement.
(7) A course completion certificate must be issued to an applicant who successfully completes the flight training that specifies the names of the operator, the person conducting the training and the applicant (in addition to the details required for such a certificate under paragraph 61.195(2)(e) of CASR).
(8) A record of the following details must be made by the person conducting the training as soon as practicable after the successful completion of flight training by an applicant, and kept by the operator in a secure place for a period of at least 3 years:
(a) the applicant’s name, ARN and dates of commencement and completion of flight training;
(b) for each flight training activity:
(i) the location; and
(ii) the date; and
(iii) the aircraft type and registration mark; and
(iv) the flight time, and whether the flight was undertaken by the applicant in authorised dual flight, solo or as pilot in command under supervision; and
(v) the results of the applicant’s performance measured against the relevant Part 61 MOS competency requirements;
(c) a copy of the applicant’s course completion certificate together with the additional details required under subsection (7).
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056, 61.040 and 141.035 of CASR.
(1) This section applies in relation to a pilot who:
(a) holds:
(i) a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence; and
(ii) a low-level rating and a winch and rappelling operations endorsement; and
(b) is employed or engaged (whether by contract or other arrangement) by an operator approved under section 8; and
(c) has at least 1 000 hours experience as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
(d) has at least 2 years operational experience conducting winch and rappelling operations including the conduct of at least 100 winch or rappelling operations; and
(e) is qualified in principles and methods of instruction:
(i) by having completed an approved course of training in principles and methods of instruction delivered by a Part 141 operator; or
(ii) by holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; or
(iii) by holding a tertiary qualification in teaching; and
(f) has completed a course of instructor training, delivered by a Part 141 operator, that:
(i) comprises at least 5 hours dual flight training in a non‑pilot in command seat; and
Note This would provide evidence of the trainer’s competency in flying an aircraft in a control seat from which flight training will be delivered.
(ii) is delivered by a flight instructor who holds:
(A) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(B) a low-level rating training endorsement or a winch and rappelling operations training endorsement; and
(iii) involves an assessment by the flight instructor of the pilot’s competency to deliver flight training; and
(g) has successfully completed the e-learning modules of the Flight examiner rating course, prepared by CASA:
(i) if completed before this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time the pilot completed the course; or
(ii) if completed after this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time this instrument commences.
Note The details of this course can be found on the internet at: https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/flight-examiners/flight-examiner-rating-course.
(2) The pilot is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050, to conduct flight training for the grant of a winch and rappelling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
Note This approval authorises the pilot to conduct training that falls within the ambit of paragraph (1)(e) of the definition of Part 141 flight training in regulation 141.015 of CASR.
(3) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.245(3), to conduct a flight test for the grant of a winch and rappelling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(4) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.150(7), to grant a winch and rappelling operations endorsement in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(5) The approvals in this section are subject to the conditions in section 11.
A pilot who is approved under section 10 must ensure compliance with the following conditions:
(a) the pilot must, in relation to an approval under subsection 10(2), complete a recurrent check every 2 years in conducting flight training, assessed by a flight instructor who holds:
(i) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(ii) a low-level rating training endorsement or a winch and rappelling operations training endorsement;
(b) the pilot must, if conducting a flight test under an approval in subsection 10(3), comply with the following requirements and obligations of Part 61 of CASR as if the pilot were a flight examiner:
(i) subregulation 61.1275(3);
(ii) paragraph 61.1280(3)(e);
(iii) regulation 61.1295;
(iv) subregulations 61.1300(4) and (5);
(c) the pilot must be registered with FTM and use the FTM as the method of flight test notification for the flight test.
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056 and 141.035 of CASR.
12 Approval — aeroplane firefighting endorsement and aerial application rating
(1) An operator who holds an AOC under Part 137 of CASR that authorises the conduct by an aeroplane of the operations mentioned in each activity authorised by an aeroplane firefighting endorsement is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050 of CASR, to conduct flight training for the following in relation to the holder of a pilot licence:
(a) an aeroplane firefighting endorsement;
(b) an aerial application rating.
(2) An operator who holds an aerial work certificate under Part 138 of CASR that authorises the conduct by an aeroplane of the operations mentioned in each activity authorised by an aeroplane firefighting endorsement is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050 of CASR, to conduct flight training for the following in relation to the holder of a pilot licence:
(a) an aeroplane firefighting endorsement;
(b) an aerial application rating.
(3) The operator must ensure compliance with the conditions in section 14.
13 Approval — helicopter firefighting endorsement and aerial application rating
(1) An operator who holds an aerial work certificate under Part 138 of CASR that authorises the conduct by a helicopter of the operations mentioned in each activity authorised by a helicopter firefighting endorsement is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050 of CASR, to conduct flight training for the following in relation to the holder of a pilot licence:
(a) a helicopter firefighting endorsement;
(b) an aerial application rating.
(2) The operator must ensure compliance with the conditions in section 14.
(1) The flight training must be managed by:
(a) if the operator is approved under subsection 12(1) — the operator’s head of flight operations; and
(b) if the operator is approved under subsection 12(2) or 13(1) — the operator’s head of operations or head of training and checking.
(2) The operator must not employ or engage (whether by contract or other arrangement) a person to conduct the flight training unless the person is approved under subsection 15(2) to do so.
(3) The operator’s operations manual must contain a description of the flight training activities and state who may conduct them.
(4) Flight training for a firefighting endorsement and an aerial application rating must not be conducted unless the person conducting the training is authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of that endorsement.
(5) The flight training must meet the following requirements:
(a) the aeronautical knowledge training, practical flight training and assessments must comply with the Part 61 MOS;
(b) the practical flight training for a firefighting endorsement must include:
(i) at least 5 hours of authorised dual flight in an aircraft of the relevant category while receiving training in firefighting operations that involve the dispensing or application, below 500 feet AGL, of water or retardant for fire suppression; and
(ii) at least 3 flights that:
(A) include at least 1 simulated firefighting operation during the flight; and
(B) are conducted in an aircraft of the same type as that to be used for firefighting operations mentioned in subparagraph (i) following the successful completion of the training; and
(iii) at least 5 simulated firefighting operations conducted during the total of the conducted flights;
(c) both the theoretical and practical components of the flight training must be conducted in a suitable ground environment and airspace, with appropriate facilities and training resources;
(d) the aircraft used for the flight training must be airworthy and suitable for the training;
(e) the person conducting the training must be competent to conduct the flight training (including assessment).
(6) Flight training for a firefighting endorsement and an aerial application rating must not be delivered to an applicant unless the applicant:
(a) has completed at least 200 hours as pilot of an aircraft of the relevant category; and
(b) holds a low-level rating; and
(c) holds a low-level endorsement for an aircraft of the relevant category.
(7) A course completion certificate must be issued to an applicant who successfully completes the flight training that specifies the names of the operator, the person conducting the training and the applicant (in addition to the details required for such a certificate under paragraph 61.195(2)(e) of CASR).
(8) A record of the following details must be made by the person conducting the training as soon as practicable after the successful completion of flight training by an applicant, and kept by the operator in a secure place for a period of at least 3 years:
(a) the applicant’s name, ARN and dates of commencement and completion of flight training;
(b) for each flight training activity:
(i) the location; and
(ii) the date; and
(iii) the aircraft type and registration mark; and
(iv) the flight time, and whether the flight was undertaken by the applicant in authorised dual flight, solo or as pilot in command under supervision; and
(v) the results of the applicant’s performance measured against the relevant Part 61 MOS competency requirements;
(c) a copy of the applicant’s course completion certificate together with the additional details required under subsection (7).
Note This Part is made under regulations 11.056, 61.040 and 141.035 of CASR.
(1) This section applies in relation to a pilot who:
(a) holds:
(i) a commercial pilot licence or an air transport pilot licence; and
(ii) an aerial application rating and a firefighting endorsement; and
(b) is employed or engaged (whether by contract or other arrangement) by an operator approved under section 12 or 13; and
(c) has at least 2 years operational experience conducting firefighting operations (not category-specific); and
(d) has at least 300 hours experience as a pilot conducting firefighting operations, including at least 50 hours as pilot in command of an aircraft of the relevant category for the endorsement for which the pilot is to conduct flight training and flight tests; and
(e) is qualified in principles and methods of instruction:
(i) by having completed an approved course of training in principles and methods of instruction delivered by a Part 141 operator; or
(ii) by holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; or
(iii) by holding a tertiary qualification in teaching; and
(f) has completed a course of instructor training, delivered by a Part 141 operator, that:
(i) comprises at least 5 hours dual flight training in a non‑pilot in command seat; and
Note This would provide evidence of the trainer’s competency in flying an aircraft in a control seat from which flight training will be delivered.
(ii) is delivered by a flight instructor who holds:
(A) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(B) a low-level rating training endorsement or an aerial application rating (day) training endorsement (category specific); and
(iii) involves an assessment by the flight instructor of the pilot’s competency to deliver flight training ; and
(g) has successfully completed the e-learning modules of the Flight examiner rating course, prepared by CASA:
(i) if completed before this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time the pilot completed the course; or
(ii) if completed after this instrument commences — as that course existed at the time this instrument commences.
Note The details of this course can be found on the internet at: https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/flight-examiners/flight-examiner-rating-course.
(2) The pilot is approved under regulation 141.035 of CASR, for regulation 141.050, to conduct flight training for the grant of a firefighting endorsement and an aerial application rating, for aircraft of the relevant category in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
Note This approval authorises the pilot to conduct training that falls within the ambit of paragraphs (1)(c) and (e) of the definition of Part 141 flight training in regulation 141.015 of CASR.
(3) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.245(3), to conduct a flight test for the grant of a firefighting endorsement and an aerial application rating, for aircraft of the relevant category in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(4) The pilot is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for subregulation 61.150(7), to grant a firefighting endorsement and an aerial application rating, for aircraft of the relevant category in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.
(5) The approvals in this section are subject to the conditions in section 16.
A pilot who is approved under section 15 must ensure compliance with the following conditions:
(a) the pilot must, if conducting flight training under an approval in subsection 15(2), or a flight test under an approval in subsection 15(3), hold a firefighting endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight training or flight test (as the case may be) is conducted;
(b) the pilot must, in relation to an approval under subsection 15(2), complete a recurrent check every 2 years in conducting flight training, assessed by a flight instructor who holds:
(i) a grade 1 training endorsement or an instructor rating training endorsement; and
(ii) a low-level rating training endorsement or an aerial application rating (day) training endorsement (category specific);
(c) the pilot must, if conducting a flight test under an approval in subsection 15(3), comply with the following requirements and obligations of Part 61 of CASR as if the pilot were a flight examiner:
(i) subregulation 61.1275(2) and (3);
(ii) paragraphs 61.1280(2)(c) and (3)(c);
(iii) regulation 61.1295;
(iv) subregulations 61.1300(4) and (5);
(d) the pilot must be registered with FTM and use the FTM as the method of flight test notification for the flight test.