{"id":"F2025L00270","name":"CASA EX11/25 — Medical Certification (Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2025","slug":"casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106092,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L00270-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA EX11/25 — Medical Certification (Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2025","content":"Instrument number CASA EX11/25\n\nI, PHILIPPA JILLIAN SPENCE, Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.\n\n\\[Signed P. Spence\\]\n\nPip Spence  \nDirector of Aviation Safety\n\n28 February 2025\n\nCASA EX11/25 — Medical Certification (Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2025\n\nContents\n\nPage\n\n1 Name...............................................................1\n\n2 Duration..............................................................2\n\n3 Repeal of instrument CASA EX49/24.........................................2\n\n4 Definitions............................................................2\n\n5 Exemptions — certain student pilots.........................................3\n\n6 Conditions — certain student pilots..........................................4\n\n7 Exemption — flight instructors of certain student pilots............................4\n\n8 Exemption — certain private pilot licence applicants..............................5\n\n9 Conditions — certain private pilot licence applicants..............................5\n\n10 Exemption — flight examiners of certain private pilot licence applicants................6\n\n11 Exemption — certain recreational pilot licence applicants..........................6\n\n12 Conditions — certain recreational pilot licence applicants..........................6\n\n13 Exemption — flight examiners of certain recreational pilot licence applicants............7\n\n14 Exemption — certain rating applicants........................................7\n\n15 Conditions — certain rating applicants........................................7\n\n15A Exemption — flight examiners of certain rating applicants..........................8\n\n16 Exemptions — certain private pilot licence holders...............................8\n\n17 Conditions — conduct of flights and exercise of privileges: certain private pilot licence  \nholders..............................................................8\n\n18 Conditions — flights carrying passengers: certain private pilot licence holders...........9\n\n19 Exemptions — certain recreational pilot licence holders...........................10\n\n20 Conditions — conduct of flights and exercise of privileges: certain recreational pilot licence holders 10\n\n21 Conditions — flights carrying passengers: certain recreational pilot licence holders.......11\n\n22 Exemptions — Part 141 operators and heads of operations........................12\n\n23 Exemptions — Part 142 operators and heads of operations........................13\n\n1 Name\n\nThis instrument is CASA EX11/25 — Medical Certification (Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2025.\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 end of 31 January 2028.\n\n3 Repeal of instrument CASA EX49/24\n\nInstrument CASA EX49/24 — Medical Certification (Private Pilot Licence Holders with Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate) Exemption 2024 is repealed.\n\n4 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: aircraft, altitude, Australian territory, authorised Part 141 flight training, authorised Part 142 activity, authorised person, CASR, class, flight examiner, flight instructor, flight test, medical practitioner, maximum take‑off weight, medical certificate, officer, Part 141 operator, Part 142 operator, passenger, pilot, used as a verb, pilot in command, single‑pilot operation, solo and student pilot.\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n> authorised CASA officer means an officer who holds an appointment as an authorised person for the purposes of regulation 302 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.\n\n> Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) means a certificate of that name, issued by CASA:\n\n(a) on the application of a person who has certified that they have been assessed by a medical practitioner as meeting the medical standard basic class 2, as the medical standard exists at the time the application is made; and\n\n(b) on the basis that CASA is satisfied that the applicant meets the medical standard basic class 2, as the medical standard exists at the time CASA issues the certificate; and\n\n(c) that records an expiry date for the certificate on the basis of the recommended date of next review recorded on the person’s most recent Fitness Report.\n\n> category of aircraft has the meaning given by regulation 61.015 of CASR.\n\n> conduct, as a verb, in relation to a flight operation, has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> current:\n\n(a) for a recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate — has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR; and\n\n(b) for an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) — the certificate is current during the period beginning when it is issued by CASA and ending at the time and date of expiry, as recorded on the certificate.\n\n> Fitness Report, in relation to a person, means CASA Form 1474, Fitness Report:\n\n(a) showing that a medical practitioner assessed that, on the date of making the assessment, the person met the medical standard basic class 2; and\n\n(b) that includes a date of next review, recommended by the medical practitioner, for the person to be next assessed against the medical standard basic class 2.\n\n> flight activity endorsement has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> maximum certificated take‑off weight has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> medical exemption has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> medical standard basic class 2 means the commercial vehicle driver medical standards that apply to drivers of heavy vehicles, public passenger vehicles or vehicles carrying dangerous goods, published by Austroads:\n\n(a) as existing from time to time; and\n\n(b) without conditions or restrictions other than a requirement to wear glasses or a hearing aid.\n\n> Note 1 To be assessed by a medical practitioner as meeting the medical standard basic class 2, a person must meet the commercial vehicle driver medical standards for an unconditional licence (other than the requirement to meet those standards without a hearing aid or glasses).\n\n> Note 2 At the time of making this instrument, the commercial vehicle driver medical standards mentioned in the definition of medical standard basic class 2 are included in the publication titled Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers, 6th edition, 2022. That publication is freely available by searching for the publication title on the Austroads Publications page, located at <https://austroads.com.au/publications>.\n\n> operational rating has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> Part 142 activity has the meaning given by regulation 142.015 of CASR.\n\n> pilot, used as a noun, has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> pilot licence has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> privilege, in relation to a flight crew licence, rating or endorsement, has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> rating has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> recreational aircraft has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n5 Exemptions — certain student pilots\n\n(1) This section applies to a student pilot who holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The student pilot is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.114(2) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be authorised to conduct a solo flight in an aircraft other than a recreational aircraft, the student pilot must hold:\n\n(a) a class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n\n(b) a medical exemption for the flight.\n\n(3) The student pilot is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.114(4) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be authorised to conduct a solo flight in a recreational aircraft by day, the student pilot must hold:\n\n(a) a class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n\n(b) a medical exemption for the flight.\n\n(4) The student pilot is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.118(2) of CASR, to the extent that the subsection requires the student pilot to produce their medical certificate.\n\n(5) The exemption in subsection (2) is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 6.\n\n(6) The exemptions in subsections (3) and (4) are subject to the conditions mentioned in:\n\n(a) subsections 6(1) and (2); and\n\n(b) paragraphs 6(3)(a), (b) and (c); and\n\n(c) subsection 6(4).\n\n> Note The condition in paragraph 6(3)(d) is not mentioned in subsection 5(6) because the definition of recreational aircraft in regulation 61.010 of CASR means a single-engine aircraft that, relevantly in paragraph (b), has a maximum certificated take-off weight of less than 1 500 kg. However, that condition applies to the exemption in subsection 5(2) because that exemption relates to a solo flight in an aircraft other than a recreational aircraft.\n\n6 Conditions — certain student pilots\n\n(1) A student pilot mentioned in subsection 5(1) must not commence a solo flight unless the student pilot carries, during the flight, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The student pilot must not commence a solo flight after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on the student pilot’s most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) The student pilot must not commence a solo flight unless the solo flight is conducted:\n\n(a) by day under the VFR; and\n\n(b) below an altitude of 10 000 feet; and\n\n(c) within Australian territory; and\n\n(d) in a piston‑engined aircraft with a maximum take‑off weight less than 8 618 kg.\n\n> Note See regulation 61.113 of CASR for the general requirements for student pilots. Those requirements include, but are not limited to, the requirement that a student pilot is not authorised to pilot an aircraft carrying passengers — see subregulation 61.113(2).\n\n(4) The student pilot must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n7 Exemption — flight instructors of certain student pilots\n\n(1) Subsection (2) applies if:\n\n(a) a flight instructor approves a person to conduct a solo flight in an aircraft as a student pilot (the student pilot); and\n\n(b) the student pilot holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The flight instructor is exempt from compliance with subparagraph 61.1225(1)(b)(iii) of CASR.\n\n> Note Under subregulation 61.1225(1) of CASR, a flight instructor commits an offence if:\n\n> Note: (a) the instructor approves a person to pilot an aircraft as a student pilot; and\n\n> Note: (b) the approval is not authorised by the provisions mentioned in paragraph 61.1225(1)(b).\n\n> Note: Those provisions include, relevantly in subparagraph 61.1225(1)(b)(iii), regulation 61.114 (Solo flights—medical certificate requirements for student pilots).\n\n8 Exemption — certain private pilot licence applicants\n\n(1) This section applies to a person:\n\n(a) who has applied to CASA for:\n\n(i) the grant of a private pilot licence; or\n\n(ii) an additional aircraft category rating for an existing private pilot licence; and\n\n(b) who holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The applicant is exempt from compliance with paragraph 61.235(2)(c) of CASR, to the extent that the paragraph requires that, to be eligible to take a flight test for the licence that is to be conducted in an aircraft, the applicant must hold:\n\n(a) a current medical certificate of the class required for the exercise of the privileges of the licence; or\n\n(b) a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence.\n\n> Note Under subregulation 61.730(3) of CASR, an applicant for an aircraft category rating for an existing pilot licence must meet the requirements for the grant of the pilot licence with the aircraft category rating.\n\n(3) The exemption in subsection (2) is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 9.\n\n> Note See also subsections 22(1) to (4) for related exemptions applying to a Part 141 operator in relation to an applicant mentioned in subsection 8(1) and subsections 23(1) to (4) for related exemptions applying to a Part 142 operator in relation to that kind of applicant.\n\n9 Conditions — certain private pilot licence applicants\n\n(1) An applicant mentioned in subsection 8(1) must not commence a flight test, to be conducted in an aircraft, for the grant of the private pilot licence or an additional aircraft category rating unless the applicant carries, during the flight test on the aircraft, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The applicant must not commence a flight test for the grant of the licence, or additional aircraft category rating, that is to be conducted in an aircraft after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on their most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) The applicant must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n10 Exemption — flight examiners of certain private pilot licence applicants\n\nA flight examiner is exempt from compliance with subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(i) of CASR, in relation to a flight test conducted in an aircraft, if:\n\n(a) the flight test is for the grant of a private pilot licence, or an additional aircraft category rating for an existing private pilot licence; and\n\n(b) the applicant for the licence or rating holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n> Note Under subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(i) of CASR, a flight examiner commits an offence if:\n\n(a) the examiner conducts a flight test for a pilot licence in an aircraft; and\n\n(b) when the test begins, the examiner is not satisfied that, if the test is for a licence other than a recreational pilot licence — the applicant holds a current medical certificate of the class required for the exercise of the privileges of the licence (see sub‑subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(i)(A)) or a medical exemption to exercise the privileges of the licence (see sub‑subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(i)(B)).\n\n11 Exemption — certain recreational pilot licence applicants\n\n(1) This section applies to a person:\n\n(a) who has applied to CASA for:\n\n(i) the grant of a recreational pilot licence; or\n\n(ii) an additional aircraft category rating for an existing recreational pilot licence; and\n\n(b) who holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The applicant is exempt from compliance with paragraph 61.235(2)(c) of CASR.\n\n> Note Under subregulation 61.730(3) of CASR, an applicant for an additional aircraft category rating for an existing pilot licence must meet the requirements for the grant of the licence with the aircraft category rating.\n\n(3) The exemption in subsection (2) is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 12.\n\n> Note See also subsections 22(1) to (4) for related exemptions applying to a Part 141 operator in relation to an applicant mentioned in subsection 11(1).\n\n12 Conditions — certain recreational pilot licence applicants\n\n(1) An applicant mentioned in subsection 11(1) must not commence a flight test for the grant of the recreational pilot licence or additional aircraft category rating, that is to be conducted in an aircraft unless the applicant carries, during the flight test in the aircraft, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The applicant must not commence a flight test for the grant of the licence or additional aircraft category rating, that is to be conducted in an aircraft, after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on their most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) The applicant must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n13 Exemption — flight examiners of certain recreational pilot licence applicants\n\nA flight examiner is exempt from compliance with subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(ii) of CASR, in relation to a flight test conducted in an aircraft, if:\n\n(a) the flight test is for the grant of a recreational pilot licence or an additional aircraft category rating for an existing recreational pilot licence; and\n\n(b) the applicant for the licence or rating holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n> Note Under subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(ii) of CASR, a flight examiner commits an offence if:\n\n(a) the examiner conducts a flight test for a pilot licence in an aircraft; and\n\n(b) when the test begins, the examiner is not satisfied that, if the test is for a recreational pilot licence — the applicant holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate or recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate (see sub‑subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(ii)(A)) or a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence (see sub‑subparagraph 61.1300(3)(b)(ii)(B)).\n\n14 Exemption — certain rating applicants\n\n(1) This section applies to the holder of a pilot licence (the rating applicant) who:\n\n(a) has applied to CASA for the grant of an aircraft class rating or a pilot type rating; and\n\n(b) holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The rating applicant is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.235(4) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be eligible to take a flight test for the grant of the rating that is to be conducted in an aircraft, the applicant must hold:\n\n(a) a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate or recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate (whichever applies); or\n\n(b) a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence.\n\n(3) The exemption in subsection (2) is subject to the conditions mentioned in section 15.\n\n> Note See also subsections 22(1) to (4) for related exemptions applying to a Part 141 operator in relation to an applicant mentioned in subsection 14(1) and subsections 23(1) to (4) for related exemptions applying to a Part 142 operator in relation to that kind of applicant.\n\n15 Conditions — certain rating applicants\n\n(1) A rating applicant mentioned in subsection 14(1) must not commence a flight test for the grant of the rating that is to be conducted in an aircraft unless the rating applicant carries, during the flight test on the aircraft, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The rating applicant must not commence a flight test for the grant of the rating that is to be conducted in an aircraft after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on their most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) The rating applicant must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n15A Exemption — flight examiners of certain rating applicants\n\nA flight examiner is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.1300(5) of CASR, in relation to a flight test conducted in an aircraft, if:\n\n(a) the flight test is for the grant of an aircraft class rating or a pilot type rating to the holder of a pilot licence; and\n\n(b) the applicant for the rating holds a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n> Note Under subregulation 61.1300(5) of CASR, a flight examiner commits an offence if:\n\n(a) the examiner conducts a flight test for a rating on a pilot licence in an aircraft; and\n\n(b) when the test begins, the examiner is not satisfied that the applicant holds: a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate or recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate; or a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the rating.\n\n16 Exemptions — certain private pilot licence holders\n\n(1) This section applies to a person (the private pilot licence holder) who:\n\n(a) holds:\n\n(i) a private pilot licence; and\n\n(ii) a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2); and\n\n(b) exercises the privileges of the licence in an aircraft that is certificated for single-pilot operation.\n\n(2) The private pilot licence holder is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.065(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of the licence, the holder must meet the requirement mentioned in subregulation 61.410(1) of CASR.\n\n> Note Subregulation 61.410(1) of CASR imposes a limitation on the exercise of the privileges of a private pilot licence. Under that subregulation, the holder of a private pilot licence is authorised to exercise the privileges of the licence only if the holder also holds:\n\n1.  a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n2.  a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence.\n\n(3) The exemption in subsection (2) is subject to the conditions mentioned in sections 17 and 18.\n\n17 Conditions — conduct of flights and exercise of privileges: certain private pilot licence holders\n\n(1) A private pilot licence holder mentioned in subsection 16(1) must not commence a flight unless the holder carries, during the flight, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The private pilot licence holder must not commence a flight after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on their most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) Subject to subsection (5), the private pilot licence holder must not, for a flight in an aircraft:\n\n(a) pilot the aircraft if it is carrying more than 5 passengers; or\n\n(b) exercise the privileges of the licence in conjunction with:\n\n(i) a flight activity endorsement; or\n\n(ii) an operational rating.\n\n(4) Subject to subsection (5), the private pilot licence holder may exercise the privileges of their licence for a flight only if the flight is conducted:\n\n(a) by day under the VFR; and\n\n(b) below an altitude of 10 000 feet; and\n\n(c) within Australian territory; and\n\n(d) in a piston‑engined aircraft with a maximum take‑off weight less than 8 618 kg.\n\n(5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not limit the exercise of the privileges of the private pilot licence holder’s licence in an aircraft that is certificated for single‑pilot operation if a flight control seat on the aircraft in which the flight is conducted is occupied by a person who:\n\n(a) is authorised under the regulations to conduct the flight as pilot in command; and\n\n(b) holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate.\n\n(6) The private pilot licence holder must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n18 Conditions — flights carrying passengers: certain private pilot licence holders\n\n(1) If a passenger is carried on a flight piloted by a private pilot licence holder mentioned in subsection 16(1), the private pilot licence holder must:\n\n(a) carry during the flight:\n\n(i) their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2); and\n\n(ii) a copy of the conditions mentioned in section 17; and\n\n(b) before commencing the flight, inform the following persons of the matters mentioned in subsection (2):\n\n(i) for each passenger who has a legal guardian — the passenger’s legal guardian;\n\n(ii) each other passenger.\n\n(2) For paragraph (1)(b), the matters are that the private pilot licence holder:\n\n(a) does not hold a standard medical certificate required for private pilots; and\n\n(b) holds an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) which:\n\n(i) is assessed against the Austroads commercial vehicle driver medical standards; and\n\n(ii) permits use of their private pilot licence, subject to conditions; and\n\n(c) is carrying the following, for inspection by a passenger or a legal guardian of a passenger:\n\n(i) their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2);\n\n(ii) a copy of the conditions mentioned in section 17.\n\n19 Exemptions — certain recreational pilot licence holders\n\n(1) This section applies to a person (the recreational pilot licence holder) who holds:\n\n(a) a recreational pilot licence; and\n\n(b) a current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The recreational pilot licence holder is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.065(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of the licence, the holder must meet the requirement mentioned in subregulation 61.405(1) of CASR to also hold:\n\n(a) a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n\n(b) a current recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate; or\n\n(c) a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence.\n\nNote Subregulation 61.405(1) of CASR imposes a limitation on the exercise of the privileges of a recreational pilot licence. Under that subregulation, the holder of a recreational pilot licence is authorised to exercise the privileges of the licence only if the holder also holds, relevantly:\n\n(a) under paragraph 61.405(1)(a) — a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n\n(b) under subparagraph 61.405(b)(i) — a current recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate; or\n\n(c) under paragraph 61.405(1)(c) — a medical exemption for the exercise of the privileges of the licence.\n\n(3) The recreational pilot licence holder is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.065(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires that, to be authorised under Part 61 of CASR to exercise the privileges of the licence, the holder must also meet the requirement mentioned in subregulation 61.465(2) of CASR.\n\n> Note Subregulation 61.465(2) of CASR imposes a limitation on the exercise of the privileges of a recreational pilot licence. Under that subregulation, the holder of a recreational pilot licence is authorised to pilot an aircraft carrying more than one passenger only if the holder:\n\n(a) also holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate; or\n\n(b) is accompanied by another pilot who:\n\n(i) holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate; and\n\n(ii) occupies a flight control seat in the aircraft; and\n\n(iii) is authorised to pilot the aircraft.\n\n(4) The exemptions in subsections (2) and (3) are subject to the conditions mentioned in sections 20 and 21.\n\n20 Conditions — conduct of flights and exercise of privileges: certain recreational pilot licence holders\n\n(1) A recreational pilot licence holder mentioned in subsection 19(1) must not commence a flight unless the holder carries, during the flight, their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2).\n\n(2) The recreational pilot licence holder must not commence a flight after the recommended date of next review against the medical standard basic class 2, recorded on their most recent Fitness Report.\n\n(3) Subject to subsection (5), the recreational pilot licence holder must not, for a flight in an aircraft:\n\n(a) pilot the aircraft if it is carrying more than 5 passengers; or\n\n(b) exercise the privileges of the licence in conjunction with:\n\n(i) a flight activity endorsement; or\n\n(ii) an operational rating.\n\n> Note See regulation 61.460 of CASR for the privileges of recreational pilot licences. Those privileges include, but are not limited to, that the holder of a recreational pilot licence is authorised to pilot a single‑engine aircraft as pilot in command or co‑pilot if the flight is conducted by day under the VFR and if the aircraft:\n\n(a) is certificated for single‑pilot operation; and\n\n(b) has a maximum certificated take‑off weight of not more than 1 500 kg; and\n\n(c) is not rocket-powered or turbine-powered.\n\n(4) Subject to subsection (5), the recreational pilot licence holder may exercise the privileges of their licence for a flight only if the flight is conducted within Australian territory.\n\n(5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not limit the exercise of the privileges of the recreational pilot licence holder’s licence if a flight control seat on the aircraft in which the flight is conducted is occupied by a person who:\n\n(a) is authorised under the regulations to conduct the flight as pilot in command; and\n\n(b) holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate.\n\n(6) The recreational pilot licence holder must:\n\n(a) on request of an authorised CASA officer — produce their Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) for inspection by the officer; and\n\n(b) within 48 hours of a request of an authorised CASA officer — produce a copy of their most recent Fitness Report for inspection by the officer.\n\n21 Conditions — flights carrying passengers: certain recreational pilot licence holders\n\n(1) If a passenger is carried on a flight piloted by a recreational pilot licence holder mentioned in subsection 19(1), the recreational pilot licence holder must:\n\n(a) carry during the flight:\n\n(i) their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2); and\n\n(ii) a copy of the conditions mentioned in section 20; and\n\n(b) before commencing the flight, inform the following persons of the matters mentioned in subsection (2):\n\n(i) for each passenger who has a legal guardian — the passenger’s legal guardian;\n\n(ii) each other passenger.\n\n(2) For paragraph (1)(b), the matters are that the recreational pilot licence holder:\n\n(a) does not hold a standard medical certificate required for recreational pilots; and\n\n(b) holds an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) which:\n\n(i) is assessed against the Austroads commercial vehicle driver medical standards; and\n\n(ii) permits use of their recreational pilot licence, subject to conditions; and\n\n(c) is carrying the following, for inspection by a passenger or a legal guardian of a passenger:\n\n(i) their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2);\n\n(ii) a copy of the conditions mentioned in section 20.\n\n22 Exemptions — Part 141 operators and heads of operations\n\nFlight test eligibility\n\n(1) Subsection (2) applies if a Part 141 operator conducts authorised Part 141 flight training for:\n\n(a) the grant of a private pilot licence, or an additional aircraft category rating for an existing private pilot licence, to an applicant mentioned in subsection 8(1); or\n\n(b) the grant of a recreational pilot licence, or an additional aircraft category rating for an existing recreational pilot licence, to an applicant mentioned in subsection 11(1); or\n\n(c) the grant to a rating applicant mentioned in subsection 14(1) of:\n\n(i) an aircraft class rating; or\n\n(ii) a pilot type rating.\n\n(2) The Part 141 operator is exempt from compliance with subregulation 141.210(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires the Part 141 operator to ensure that the applicant for the licence or rating is eligible under paragraph 61.235(2)(c) or (4)(b) (whichever applies) of CASR to undertake a flight test.\n\n> Note See also sections 8, 11 and 14. Those sections also include exemptions from particular provisions of regulation 61.235 of CASR for applicants described in those sections.\n\n(3) Subsection (4) applies to the head of operations of a Part 141 operator who is providing authorised Part 141 flight training to a person mentioned in subsection (1).\n\n(4) The head of operations is exempt from compliance with subregulation 141.210(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires the head of operations to ensure that the person is eligible under paragraph 61.235(2)(c) or (4)(b) (whichever applies) of CASR to undertake a flight test.\n\nAuthorising person to fly as pilot in command, including with a passenger\n\n(5) Subsections (6) and (7) apply if a person who is undertaking a Part 141 operator’s authorised Part 141 flight training flies an aircraft, used by the operator in the training, as pilot in command.\n\n(6) The Part 141 operator is exempt from compliance with regulation 141.290 of CASR in relation to the flight if the person is:\n\n(a) not authorised under Part 61 of CASR to fly the aircraft as pilot in command because the person does not comply with a provision of Part 61; and\n\n(b) exempt from compliance with the provision under this instrument.\n\n> Note See also sections 5, 8, 11, 14, 16 and 19. Those sections include exemptions from subregulations 61.114(2) and (4), 61.405(1), 61.410(1) and 61.465(2), and paragraphs 61.235(2)(c) and (4)(b), of CASR.\n\n(7) The Part 141 operator is exempt from compliance with regulation 141.300 of CASR in relation to the flight if the person is:\n\n(a) not authorised under Part 61 of CASR to fly the aircraft as pilot in command with a passenger on board because the person does not comply with a provision of Part 61; and\n\n(b) exempt from compliance with the provision under this instrument.\n\n23 Exemptions — Part 142 operators and heads of operations\n\nFlight test eligibility\n\n(1) Subsection (2) applies if:\n\n(a) a Part 142 operator conducts a Part 142 activity involving training for:\n\n(i) the grant of a private pilot licence, or an additional aircraft category rating for an existing private pilot licence, to an applicant mentioned in subsection 8(1); or\n\n(ii) the grant of a pilot type rating to a rating applicant mentioned in subsection 14(1); and\n\n(b) the applicant, in undertaking the training, flies an aircraft used by the Part 142 operator for the conduct of the Part 142 activity, as pilot in command.\n\n(2) The Part 142 operator is exempt from compliance with subregulation 142.245(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires the Part 142 operator to ensure that the applicant for the licence or rating is eligible under paragraph 61.235(2)(c) or (4)(b) (whichever applies) of CASR to undertake a flight test.\n\n> Note See also sections 8 and 14. Those sections also include exemptions from particular provisions of regulation 61.235 of CASR for applicants described in those sections.\n\n(3) Subsection (4) applies to the head of operations of a Part 142 operator who is conducting a Part 142 activity involving provision of training to a person mentioned in subsection (1).\n\n(4) The head of operations is exempt from compliance with subregulation 142.245(1) of CASR, to the extent that the subregulation requires the head of operations to ensure that the person is eligible under paragraph 61.235(2)(c) or (4)(b) (whichever applies) of CASR to undertake a flight test.\n\nAuthorising person to fly as pilot in command, including with a passenger\n\n(5) Subsections (6) and (7) apply if a person who is undertaking training that is an authorised Part 142 activity flies an aircraft, used by a Part 142 operator in the training, as pilot in command.\n\n(6) The Part 142 operator is exempt from compliance with regulation 142.365 of CASR in relation to the flight if the person is:\n\n(a) not authorised under Part 61 of CASR to fly the aircraft as pilot in command because the person does not comply with a provision of Part 61; and\n\n(b) exempt from compliance with the provision under this instrument.\n\n> Note See also sections 5, 8, 14, 16 and 19. Those sections include exemptions from subregulations 61.114(2) and (4), 61.405(1), 61.410(1) and 61.465(2), and paragraphs 61.235(2)(c) and (4)(b), of CASR.\n\n(7) The Part 142 operator is exempt from compliance with regulation 142.375 of CASR in relation to the flight if the person is:\n\n(a) not authorised under Part 61 of CASR to fly the aircraft as pilot in command with a passenger on board because the person does not comply with a provision of Part 61; and\n\n(b) exempt from compliance with the provision under this instrument.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument expressly repeals CASA EX49/24 (section 3) and extends the acceptance of an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) beyond private pilot licence holders to include student pilots, applicants for private and recreational licences and ratings, flight instructors and examiners, existing private and recreational licence holders, and Part 141 and Part 142 operators and their heads of operations (see sections 5–23). The result is a broader set of exemptions and operational conditions allowing Basic Class 2 to substitute for class 1/2 medical requirements in specified contexts, subject to document carriage/production, fitness-review timing, and operational limits (multiple sections cited)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple interacting exemptions and conditions that differ by role (student, applicant, licence holder, instructor, examiner, Part 141/142 operator)","Cross-references to multiple CASR provisions (e.g. Part 61, regulations 61.114, 61.235, 61.405, 61.410, 61.465, 141.210, 142.245 etc.) requiring interpretive alignment","Numerous documentary and timing obligations (carry certificate, produce Fitness Report within 48 hours, not after recommended review date) applied across different contexts","Operational limitations attached to exemptions (day VFR, altitude cap, aircraft engine/type and weight limits, passenger caps) that vary by category","Exceptions that depend on presence of another pilot holding a class 1 or 2 medical (conditional carve-outs)","Definitions that import external standards (Austroads commercial vehicle driver medical standards) and CASA-issued certificate mechanics","Time-limited instrument and repeal of a prior instrument (requires coordination for transition and recordkeeping)"],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument changes, mechanically\n\n- This instrument (CASA EX11/25) lets people who hold an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) do specified pilot activities that would otherwise require a standard class 1 or 2 medical certificate or a separate medical exemption. The Director of Aviation Safety made the instrument under regulations 11.160 and 11.205 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (see instrument header). It starts the day after registration and ends on 31 January 2028 (section 2). It also repeals CASA EX49/24 (section 3).\n\nWho and what it covers\n\n- The instrument applies across discrete groups: student pilots (sections 5–6), flight instructors approving student solos (section 7), applicants for private or recreational pilot licences and for ratings (sections 8–15), flight examiners (sections 10, 13, 15A), existing private and recreational licence holders (sections 16–21), and training organisations and their heads of operations under Parts 141 and 142 (sections 22–23). The central change is to accept an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) — defined as a CASA-issued certificate based on a medical practitioner’s Fitness Report showing the Austroads commercial vehicle driver medical standard — in place of the usual class 1 or 2 medical certificate for the specified activities (definition at section 4).\n\nKey operational limits and conditions\n\n- Carriage and production of documents: persons relying on this instrument must carry their current Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) during the flight or flight test and must produce that certificate and, within 48 hours of request, a copy of their most recent Fitness Report to an authorised CASA officer (examples: sections 6(1)–(4), 9(1)–(3), 12(1)–(3), 15(1)–(3), 17(1),(6), 20(1),(6)).\n\n- Medical review date: the instrument bars a person from commencing a covered flight or flight test if it is after the recommended \"date of next review\" recorded on their most recent Fitness Report (sections 6(2), 9(2), 12(2), 15(2), 17(2), 20(2)).\n\n- Operational limits: many exemptions are subject to limits such as day VFR only, below 10 000 ft, within Australian territory, piston‑engined aircraft with specified maximum take‑off weights, and passenger limits (student solo limits in 6(3); private pilot limits in 17(3)–(4); recreational pilot limits in 20(3)–(4)).\n\n- Passenger notification: when flying passengers, private and recreational pilots relying on this certificate must carry the certificate and a copy of the applicable conditions and must inform passengers (or their legal guardians) that the pilot does not hold the standard medical and that the Basic Class 2 is assessed to Austroads standards (private pilots, section 18(1)–(2); recreational pilots, section 21(1)–(2)).\n\n- Exceptions when another qualified pilot is present: the operational limits do not apply if a flight control seat is occupied by a person who is authorised to act as pilot in command and who holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate (private pilots, section 17(5); recreational pilots, section 20(5)).\n\n- Training organisations: Part 141 and Part 142 operators and their heads of operations are exempted from regulatory duties to ensure medical eligibility for flight tests or training flights to the extent the applicant holds a Basic Class 2 (Part 141: sections 22(2),(4); Part 142: sections 23(2),(4)). Those operators are likewise exempted from some requirements about authorising trainees to act as pilot in command when the trainee is exempt under this instrument (see 22(6)–(7); 23(6)–(7)).\n\nWhat the instrument is designed to do (stated purpose-claims)\n\n- The instrument permits use of an Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) — i.e. medical assessment against Austroads commercial vehicle driver standards — instead of a class 1 or 2 aviation medical (see definition in section 4 and application across sections 5–21). The mechanical effect is to substitute a different medical standard for eligibility in certain non‑aeromedical‑exception scenarios, subject to explicit operational and documentary conditions.\n\nHow that works against costs, incentives, trade‑offs and implementation risks\n\n- Who pays and who decides: individual pilots (applicants, students, licence holders) bear the cost of obtaining the Basic Class 2 assessment and Fitness Report and of complying with carriage and production requirements (see sections 6(1)–(4), 9(1)–(3), 12(1)–(3), 15(1)–(3), 17(1),(6), 20(1),(6)). CASA (authorised officers and the Director of Aviation Safety) exercises decision and enforcement powers: the Director issued the instrument (instrument header) and authorised CASA officers can request inspection and documentation (multiple sections cited above).\n\n- Incentives and substitution: the instrument reduces the regulatory barrier to conducting specified flights and tests for people who meet Austroads standards, by allowing Basic Class 2 in place of a class 1/2 medical for the covered activities (see sections 5, 8, 11, 14, 16, 19). That creates an incentive for eligible pilots to use the Basic Class 2 path rather than seeking a class 1/2 medical when the operational conditions permit. The instrument preserves limits (weights, engine type, VFR, altitude, passenger numbers) that constrain the range of substitution (see sections 6(3), 17(4), 20(3)–(4)).\n\n- Compliance burden and administrative friction: the instrument adds documentary and timing obligations (carry certificate, produce certificate and Fitness Report within 48 hours, do not fly after the Fitness Report’s recommended next review date). Those requirements create recurring administrative actions for pilots and give CASA officers a discrete inspection role (e.g. 6(1)–(4), 9(1)–(3), 12(1)–(3), 15(1)–(3), 17(6), 20(6)). Training operators must apply different eligibility checks and may rely on the exemptions when conducting training or flight tests (sections 22–23), which changes their internal compliance checks.\n\n- Trade-offs and opportunity costs: the instrument trades a stricter aviation medical standard (class 1/2) for a medical standard aligned to Austroads for certain activities, while layering operational restrictions (day VFR, altitude, weight, piston engines, passenger limits). The opportunity cost for a pilot is the potential restriction of privileges compared with holding a full class 1/2 medical; the opportunity cost for CASA is the need to monitor compliance with the new documentary and operational conditions.\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and implementation risk: authorised CASA officers are given repeated inspection powers and the instrument depends on CASA’s processes for issuing Aviation Medical Certificates (Basic Class 2) and enforcing the conditions (see definition and inspection/production clauses across the instrument). Misunderstanding of the scope or inconsistent inspection/enforcement practices could create operational risk for pilots and training organisations.\n\n- Effects on businesses and training providers: Part 141 and Part 142 operators are explicitly treated so they can continue training and run flight tests for people holding Basic Class 2 certificates without having to meet some existing eligibility-verification obligations (sections 22–23). That reduces a compliance checkpoint for operators in the specified contexts but requires them to apply the instrument’s conditions and retain procedures for documentary checks.\n\nConcentrated benefits and diffuse costs\n\n- Concentrated benefits accrue to pilots who meet Austroads Basic Class 2 standards and to training providers who can run training and tests without the class 1/2 check in the covered cases (see definitions and sections 5–23). Diffuse costs include the ongoing inspection/administration workload for CASA officers enforcing the carry/produce requirements, and the conditional limitations that narrow the activities the Basic Class 2 permits (e.g. day VFR, altitude and aircraft-type restrictions).\n\nImplementation details to note\n\n- The instrument is time‑limited (expires 31 January 2028, section 2).\n- The Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) is a CASA-issued certificate based on a Fitness Report and carries an expiry date tied to the recommended date of next review on that Fitness Report (definition at section 4).\n- The instrument preserves ordinary regulatory checks where another pilot on board holds a current class 1 or 2 medical certificate (sections 17(5), 20(5)).\n\nPrimary sections for quick reference: definition of Aviation Medical Certificate (Basic Class 2) is in section 4; student pilot exemptions and conditions in sections 5–6; applicant and flight test provisions in sections 8–15; private/recreational licence holder provisions in sections 16–21; training operator provisions in sections 22–23."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument maintains the same scope as its predecessor (CASA EX49/24) and the broader policy intent of providing alternative medical certification pathways for recreational aviation. It expands slightly to cover recreational pilot licence applicants and rating applicants, and adds flight examiner exemptions, but these are logical extensions of the original Basic Class 2 medical certificate concept rather than scope creep. The instrument remains tightly focused on medical certification exemptions for low-risk aviation activities."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), particularly Part 61, Parts 141 and 142","Multiple nested exemption structures: exemptions granted subject to conditions, with some conditions having their own exceptions (e.g., section 17(5) overrides 17(3) and (4))","23 defined terms in section 4, many referencing external regulations","Parallel structure repeated across 6 different pilot categories (student, private applicant, recreational applicant, rating applicant, private holder, recreational holder) with subtle variations","Dual exemption tracks for Part 141 and Part 142 operators with similar but not identical provisions","Multiple temporal conditions (expiry dates, review dates, 48-hour production requirements)","Conditional logic requiring simultaneous satisfaction of multiple criteria (e.g., holding specific licence AND specific certificate AND operating specific aircraft type)","External document incorporation by reference (Austroads commercial vehicle driver medical standards, 'as existing from time to time')"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation creates a new, less strict medical certificate option for certain pilots in Australia. It allows student pilots, private pilots, and recreational pilots to use a 'Basic Class 2' medical certificate instead of the standard aviation medical certificates.\n\n**What is a Basic Class 2 Medical Certificate?**\nIt's a medical certificate based on the same standards used for commercial truck and bus drivers (the Austroads standards), rather than the stricter aviation-specific medical standards. You get it assessed by a regular GP rather than an aviation medical examiner, and CASA issues the certificate based on that assessment.\n\n**Who can use this?**\nThe exemption applies to:\n- **Student pilots** doing solo flights\n- **Private pilot licence holders** flying single-pilot aircraft\n- **Recreational pilot licence holders**\n- **People applying for these licences or additional ratings**\n- **Flight instructors and examiners** working with these pilots\n- **Flight training organisations** (Part 141 and Part 142 operators)\n\n**What are the restrictions?**\nPilots using this certificate face several limitations:\n- Must fly by day only, under visual flight rules (VFR)\n- Must stay below 10,000 feet altitude\n- Must stay within Australian territory\n- Aircraft must be piston-engined and under 8,618 kg (or under 1,500 kg for recreational pilots)\n- Cannot carry more than 5 passengers\n- Cannot use certain advanced ratings or endorsements\n- Must carry the certificate during flight and show it to CASA officers if asked\n- Must provide a copy of their medical assessment (Fitness Report) within 48 hours if requested\n- Must not fly after their recommended review date\n\n**Passenger notification requirements**\nIf carrying passengers, pilots must inform them (or their legal guardians) that:\n- The pilot doesn't hold a standard aviation medical certificate\n- They hold a Basic Class 2 certificate based on commercial driver standards\n- The certificate is subject to conditions\n- They must show the certificate and conditions to passengers if asked\n\n**Why does this matter?**\nThis makes flying more accessible by reducing the cost and hassle of medical certification for recreational and private pilots. Instead of expensive aviation medical exams, pilots can use a standard commercial driver medical assessment from their GP. However, it comes with significant operational restrictions to maintain safety."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025","history":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-ex11-25-medical-certification-basic-class-2-medical-certificate-exemption-2025/documents"}}