{"id":"F2022L00981","name":"CASA 32/22 — Use of Class A Airspace by Sailplanes Instrument 2022","slug":"casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":102531,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2022L00981-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA 32/22 — Use of Class A Airspace by Sailplanes Instrument 2022","content":"Instrument number CASA 32/22\n\nI, ANTHONY Alfred STANTON, Branch Manager, Sport & Recreation Aviation, Stakeholder Engagement Division, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.056, 11.245 and 91.045 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.\n\n\\[Signed A.A. Stanton\\]\n\nAnthony A. Stanton  \nBranch Manager, Sport & Recreation Aviation  \nStakeholder Engagement Division\n\n14 July 2022\n\nCASA 32/22 — Use of Class A Airspace by Sailplanes Instrument 2022\n\n1 Name\n\nThis instrument is CASA 32/22 — Use of Class A Airspace by Sailplanes Instrument 2022.\n\n2 Duration\n\nThis instrument:\n\n(a) commences on the day after it is registered; and\n\n(b) is repealed at the earlier of the following:\n\n(i) the end of 31 May 2024;\n\n(ii) the commencement of the Part 103 Manual of Standards.\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> Note In this instrument, certain terms and expressions have the same meaning as they have in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the regulations. These include: ATS provider, Part 91 Manual of Standards, Part 103 Manual of Standards, private operation, sailplane and VFR flight.\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n> AA means Airservices Australia, ARN 202210, in its capacity as an ATS provider.\n\n> CFI means the person appointed in writing by the relevant R/MO as the chief flying instructor of a GFA affiliate, or a person exercising delegated authority of the appointed person.\n\n> CFI directions means written requirements for the flight of a sailplane issued by a CFI, as the CFI directions exist at the time of the flight.\n\n> duty instructor, for a sailplane operation to be held in class A airspace covered by an LOA, means the person who is:\n\n(a) authorised in writing by the CFI of the GFA affiliate that is coordinating the sailplane operation; and\n\n(b) responsible for the safe and efficient conduct of the operation.\n\n> GFA means The Gliding Federation of Australia Inc, ARN 217932.\n\n> GFA affiliate means any of the following gliding clubs or associations that are affiliated with the GFA:\n\n(a) Western Australian Gliding Association Incorporated;\n\n(b) Canberra Gliding Club Inc;\n\n(c) Grampians Soaring Club Incorporated.\n\n> LOA means a Letter of Agreement signed by AA and the GFA, or by AA and a GFA affiliate, that:\n\n(a) is in effect on the day of, and relates to, sailplane operations; and\n\n(b) describes the area within which sailplane operations may be conducted in class A airspace; and\n\n(c) specifies the limitations and conditions (however described) on which AA agrees to the conduct of sailplane operations in class A airspace within the area mentioned in the agreement.\n\n> relevant RM/O, for the appointment of a CFI for a GFA affiliate, means the GFA Regional Manager, Operations responsible for appointing CFIs for gliding clubs or associations that are:\n\n(a) affiliated with the GFA; and\n\n(b) located within the State or Territory within which the GFA affiliate is located.\n\n> relevant sailplane means a sailplane that is employed in private operations.\n\n4 Application\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), this instrument applies in relation to the pilot in command of a relevant sailplane flown in a sailplane operation in class A airspace covered by an LOA, and any GFA affiliate that is coordinating a sailplane operation in class A airspace.\n\n(2) The instrument applies in relation to the pilot in command of the relevant sailplane if the pilot in command:\n\n(a) is a member of the GFA; and\n\n(b) has, before flying the relevant sailplane in the class A airspace:\n\n(i) confirmed with the CFI or duty instructor that the sailplane operation in the class A airspace is covered by an LOA and has been cleared by AA; and\n\n(ii) received a briefing, on the day of the flight, from the CFI or duty instructor about the matters mentioned in paragraph 7 (a).\n\n> Note Class A airspace is determined from time to time in a legislative instrument made under regulation 5 of the Airspace Regulations 2007. As at the date of commencement of this instrument, the legislative instrument is CASA OAR 046/22 — Determination of Airspace and Controlled Aerodromes Etc. (Designated Airspace Handbook) Instrument 2022 and is available at [https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022L00757](https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2022L00757).\n\n5 Approval\n\n(1) For the purposes of paragraph 91.285 (1) (b) of CASR, the pilot in command of a relevant sailplane is approved under regulation 91.045 of CASR to conduct a VFR flight in the relevant sailplane in class A airspace covered by an LOA.\n\n(2) The approval is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 6.\n\n6 Conditions\n\nThe pilot in command must conduct the VFR flight in the relevant sailplane in class A airspace in accordance with:\n\n(a) the CFI directions issued in relation to the sailplane operation in which the aircraft is flown in the class A airspace; and\n\n(b) the conditions and limitations for the sailplane operation in the class A airspace that are mentioned in the LOA that covers the class A airspace, as the LOA exists on the day of the VFR flight; and\n\n(c) any other requirements for the safe conduct of the flight in class A airspace communicated to the pilot during the briefing mentioned in subparagraph 4 (2) (b) (ii).\n\n> Note 1 See also Civil Aviation Order 95.4 (Exemptions from CAR and CASR — Sailplanes and Towing Aircraft) Instrument 2021 (CAO 95.4) for the flight conditions that apply to a relevant sailplane. For example, paragraph 9.1 of CAO 95.4 requires a relevant sailplane to only be flown in VMC and in accordance with the VFR, and only during daylight hours. Paragraph 9.1 also requires a relevant sailplane to be equipped with or carry, serviceable radiocommunications equipment at a height of 5 000 feet AMSL or in specified VMC criteria, and for pilots in command to have specified pilot qualifications or authorisations for the use of radiocommunications equipment fitted to a relevant sailplane.\n\n> Note 2 For the purposes of regulation 91.255 of CASR, Division 11.1 of the Part 91 Manual of Standards (Part 91 MOS) prescribes requirements for the use by an aircraft (including sailplanes) of a class of airspace or a portion of a class of airspace. For example, paragraph 11.10 (2) (b) of the Part 91 MOS sets out procedures to follow if the radiocommunication system is not functioning correctly.\n\n7 Direction\n\nFor regulation 11.245 of CASR, the CFI of any GFA affiliate that is coordinating a sailplane operation in class A airspace must ensure that the pilot in command of any sailplane, before it is flown in the sailplane operation:\n\n(a) receives a briefing from the CFI or duty instructor about:\n\n(i) the CFI directions issued in relation to the sailplane operation; and\n\n(ii) the conditions and limitations for the sailplane operation in the class A airspace that are mentioned in the LOA that covers the class A airspace; and\n\n(iii) any other requirements for the safe conduct of the flight in class A airspace; and\n\n(b) is provided with a copy of:\n\n(i) the CFI directions that are issued in relation to the flight; and\n\n(ii) the LOA that covers sailplane operations in the class A airspace.\n\n> Note For regulation 11.250 of CASR, the direction in this section ceases to be in force on the day this instrument is repealed under section 2.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument maintains a narrow, targeted scope. It addresses a specific operational need (glider access to Class A airspace) for a limited set of approved clubs under strict conditions. The temporary nature and explicit limitation to three affiliates suggests it was always intended as a controlled, bounded exemption rather than a broad expansion of glider privileges."},"complexity_factors":["11 defined terms in section 3, including nested definitions (e.g., 'duty instructor' depends on 'CFI' which depends on 'relevant R/M/O')","Multiple cross-references to external instruments: CAO 95.4, Part 91 MOS, Part 103 MOS, and the Airspace Regulations 2007","Conditional application in section 4 with dual requirements (membership + pre-flight confirmation + briefing)","Sunset clause with dual triggers (date-based OR event-based commencement of Part 103 MOS)","Approval structure creates a permission framework (section 5) with layered conditions (section 6) and separate directions (section 7)","Limited geographic scope — only applies to three specific GFA affiliates named explicitly"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument temporarily permits Gliding Federation of Australia members—operating through three approved clubs—to enter Class A airspace under written Letters of Agreement with Airservices Australia. Flights must be coordinated by the club, preceded by a CFI/duty-instructor briefing, and comply with LOA conditions and instructor directions. Daylight VFR only, see-and-avoid applies, with radio/transponder requirements above 5,000 ft. Expiring May 2024, it enables cross‑country soaring and competitions while using oversight and agreements to manage safety without costly equipment mandates."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument creates a temporary, conditional exception authorising VFR flights by specified private sailplanes in Class A airspace where a LOA and AA clearance exist, thereby expanding access relative to the usual restrictions. The expansion is limited by time (section 2), to named GFA affiliates and members (section 3, 4), and by compliance with CFI directions, LOA conditions and cross‑referenced MOS/CAO requirements (sections 5–7)."},"complexity_factors":["Temporal limitation and automatic repeal (section 2) — instrument expires by date or on commencement of Part 103 MOS.","Conditional approval dependent on existence of a LOA between Airservices Australia (AA) and GFA or a GFA affiliate (LOA definition; sections 3, 4, 5).","Approval is limited to \"relevant sailplanes\" flown as private operations and to pilots who are GFA members meeting pre‑flight checks (sections 3, 4).","Delegated operational discretion vested in CFIs and duty instructors: CFI directions must be followed and CFIs must brief pilots and supply documents (definitions; sections 6, 7).","Pre‑flight administrative steps required: pilot must confirm LOA coverage and AA clearance and receive a same‑day briefing (section 4(2)(b)).","Multiple cross‑references to other instruments and manuals (CAO 95.4, Part 91 MOS) add external technical and equipment requirements (section 6 notes).","LOA must describe area and specify limitations and conditions, creating bespoke geographic and procedural scope for each operation (LOA definition).","Operational coordination with AA is necessary for clearance and area definition, adding inter‑agency procedures and potential scheduling constraints (LOA, section 4).","Narrow defined beneficiary set (GFA and three named affiliates) reduces universality but increases rule‑specific compliance complexity (definitions, section 3)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument temporarily authorises privately operated sailplanes affiliated with specified Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) clubs to fly under Visual Flight Rules in designated Class A airspace, but only where a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with Airservices Australia covers the area and the flight is cleared. It matters to GFA members, their clubs’ CFIs and Airservices Australia because it creates a time‑limited, conditional exception to normal Class A access and imposes pre‑flight confirmation, briefing and compliance duties."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022","history":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-32-22-use-of-class-a-airspace-by-sailplanes-instrument-2022/documents"}}