{"id":"F2025L01208","name":"CASA EX85/25 — Flight Training and Flight Tests by Grade 1 Training Endorsement Holders (Exemptions and Approvals) Instrument 2025","slug":"casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":107270,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L01208-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"CASA EX85/25 — Flight Training and Flight Tests by Grade 1 Training Endorsement Holders (Exemptions and Approvals) Instrument 2025","content":"Instrument number CASA EX85/25\n\nI, STEVEN JAMES CAMPBELL, Executive Manager, National Operations & Standards, a delegate of CASA, make this instrument under regulations 11.056, 11.160, 11.205 and 61.040 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.\n\n\\[Signed S. Campbell\\]\n\nSteven Campbell \nExecutive Manager, National Operations & Standards\n\n29 September 2025\n\nCASA EX85/25 — Flight Training and Flight Tests by Grade 1 Training Endorsement Holders (Exemptions and Approvals) Instrument 2025\n\n1 Name\n\nThis instrument is CASA EX85/25 — Flight Training and Flight Tests by Grade 1 Training Endorsement Holders (Exemptions and Approvals) Instrument 2025.\n\n2 Duration\n\nThis instrument:\n\n(a) commences on 1 October 2025; and\n\n(b) is repealed at the end of 30 September 2028.\n\n3 Definitions\n\n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 CASR.\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n> aerobatics training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 19 of table 61.1235.\n\n> class rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 6 of table 61.1235.\n\n> design feature training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 7 of table 61.1235.\n\n> flight examiner has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> flight instructor has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> flight instructor rating flight test endorsement has the same meaning as in item 11 of the table in regulation 61.1310 of CASR.\n\n> flight test has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> flight training has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> formation aerobatics training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 22 of table 61.1235.\n\n> formation (aeroplane) training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 20 of table 61.1235.\n\n> formation (helicopter) training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 21 of table 61.1235.\n\n> grade 1 training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 1 of table 61.1235.\n\n> grade 2 training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 2 of table 61.1235.\n\n> instructor proficiency check has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> instructor rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 14 of table 61.1235.\n\n> instrument rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 8 of table 61.1235.\n\n> low-level rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 11 of table 61.1235.\n\n> night VFR rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 9 of table 61.1235.\n\n> night vision imaging system rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 10 of table 61.1235.\n\n> operator proficiency check has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> Part 141 operator has the meaning given by subregulation 141.015(3) of CASR.\n\n> Part 142 operator has the meaning given by subregulation 142.015(4) of CASR.\n\n> pilot licence has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of CASR.\n\n> sling operations training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 16 of table 61.1235.\n\n> spinning training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 18 of table 61.1235.\n\n> table 61.1235 means the table in regulation 61.1235 of CASR.\n\n> type rating training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 5 of table 61.1235.\n\n> winch and rappelling operations training endorsement has the same meaning as in item 17 of table 61.1235.\n\n4 Exemption — flight training\n\n(1) A flight instructor who holds a grade 1 training endorsement is exempt from compliance with subregulation 61.065(1) of CASR (when taken together with subregulation 61.1175(1) as it relates to item 14 of table 61.1235) to the extent that the flight instructor may conduct the following kinds of flight training in relation to the holder of a flight instructor rating without holding an instructor rating training endorsement:\n\n(a) flight training for a grade 2 training endorsement;\n\n(b) flight training for a training endorsement of a kind mentioned in column 1 of item 7 or items 16 to 22 of table 61.1235.\n\n> Note 1 The effect of the exemption is that the flight instructor may conduct the flight training mentioned, despite not holding an instructor rating training endorsement.\n\n> Note 2 The training endorsements mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) are, at the commencement of this instrument:\n\n> Note: item 7: design feature training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 16: sling operations training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 17: winch and rappelling operations training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 18: spinning training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 19: aerobatics training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 20: formation (aeroplane) training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 21: formation (helicopter) training endorsement\n\n> Note: item 22: formation aerobatics training endorsement.\n\n(2) The exemption in paragraph (1)(b) is subject to the condition that the flight instructor must hold the same kind of training endorsement as that for which the flight training is conducted.\n\n5 Exemption — related provisions requiring flight instructor to be authorised under Part 61\n\nA Part 141 or 142 operator who employs a flight instructor who is exempt under subsection 4(1), and the head of operations of such an operator, are exempt from compliance with any provision in Part 141 or 142 of CASR (as the case may be) to the extent to which the provision requires the flight instructor to be authorised under Part 61 of CASR to conduct the flight training concerned.\n\n6 Approvals — flight testing and granting ratings and endorsements\n\n(1) This section applies in relation to a flight instructor who:\n\n(a) holds a grade 1 training endorsement; and\n\n(b) is a person who has:\n\n(i) within the previous 24 months, successfully completed an instructor proficiency check; or\n\n(ii) within the previous 12 months, passed the flight test for the flight instructor rating that was conducted by a flight examiner who holds a flight instructor rating flight test endorsement; or\n\n(iii) within the previous 24 months, passed the flight test for a training endorsement, being a flight test conducted by a flight examiner who holds a flight instructor rating flight test endorsement more than 6 months after the holder passed the flight test for the rating; or\n\n(iv) within the previous 24 months, successfully completed an operator proficiency check that covers operations under the flight instructor rating and that was conducted by a flight examiner who holds a flight instructor rating flight test endorsement; and\n\n> Note The alternatives to an instructor proficiency check set out in subparagraphs (b)(ii), (iii) and (iv) of this subsection reflect paragraphs 61.1180(2)(a), (b) and (c) of CASR, which provide that the holder of a flight instructor rating is taken to have a valid instructor proficiency check in the circumstances set out in those paragraphs.\n\n(c) has successfully completed the e-learning modules of the Flight examiner rating course, prepared by CASA, as existing from time to time.\n\n> Note The details of this course can be found on the internet at: .\n\n(2) The flight instructor is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for the purposes of subregulation 61.245(3), to conduct a flight test for the grant of an authorisation mentioned in column 1 of Table 1 in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.\n\n(3) The flight instructor is approved under regulation 61.040 of CASR, for the purposes of subregulation 61.150(7), to grant an authorisation mentioned in column 1 of Table 1 in relation to the holder of a pilot licence.\n\n(4) An approval under this section in relation to a flight test for the grant of an authorisation, or the grant of an authorisation, mentioned in column 1 of Table 1 is subject to the following conditions:\n\n(a) the flight instructor must hold the endorsements and any rating mentioned in column 2 of Table 1 for the authorisation;\n\n(b) the flight instructor must not conduct the flight test, or grant the authorisation, unless:\n\n(i) the flight instructor is employed or engaged by a Part 141 or 142 operator who is authorised to conduct flight training of the kind to which the authorisation relates; and\n\n(ii) the Part 141 or 142 operator has approved the flight instructor to conduct flight training of that kind;\n\n(c) the flight instructor must comply with the following requirements and obligations of Part 61 of CASR in respect of the flight test as if the instructor were a flight examiner:\n\n(i) subregulations 61.1275(2) and (3);\n\n(ii) paragraph 61.1280(2)(e);\n\n(iii) regulation 61.1295;\n\n(iv) subregulations 61.1300(4) and (5).\n\nTable 1\n\n| Item | Authorisation(Column 1) | Authorisations to be held by flight instructor(Column 2) |\n| ---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| 1 | Aircraft class rating | A class rating training endorsement for the same aircraft class as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 2 | Aircraft type rating | A type rating training endorsement for the same aircraft type as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 3 | Class rating training endorsement (other than for multi-engine aeroplanes) | Both of the following:(a) a class rating training endorsement for the same aircraft class as that for which the flight test is conducted;(b) an instructor rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 4 | Design feature training endorsement | Both of the following:(a) a class rating for the same aircraft class as that for which the flight test is conducted;(b) the design feature training endorsement. |\n| 5 | Instrument rating training endorsement | Both of the following:(a) an instrument rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted;(b) an instructor rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 6 | Night VFR rating training endorsement | Both of the following:(a) a night VFR rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted;(b) an instructor rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 7 | Night vision imaging system rating training endorsement | Both of the following:(a) a night vision imaging system rating training endorsement;(b) an instructor rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 8 | Low-level rating training endorsement | Both of the following:(a) a low-level rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted;(b) an instructor rating training endorsement for the same category of aircraft as that for which the flight test is conducted. |\n| 9 | Sling operations training endorsement | Sling operations training endorsement. |\n| 10 | Winch and rappelling operations training endorsement | Winch and rappelling operations training endorsement. |\n| 11 | Spinning training endorsement | Spinning training endorsement. |\n| 12 | Aerobatics training endorsement | Aerobatics training endorsement. |\n| 13 | Formation (aeroplane) training endorsement | Formation (aeroplane) training endorsement. |\n| 14 | Formation (helicopter) training endorsement | Formation (helicopter) training endorsement. |\n| 15 | Formation aerobatics training endorsement | Formation aerobatics training endorsement. |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument appears to operate within its intended scope as a specific exemption and approval instrument for Grade 1 training endorsement holders. It does not appear to have expanded beyond its original purpose of streamlining flight training and testing permissions for experienced instructors."},"complexity_factors":["24 defined terms in the interpretation section, many cross-referencing to CASR regulations and tables","Nested conditional logic in section 6(1)(b) with four alternative pathways for maintaining testing privileges","Extensive cross-referencing to CASR regulations (61.010, 61.040, 61.065, 61.1175, 61.1180, 61.1235, 61.1310, Part 141, Part 142)","Table-based conditional requirements in Table 1 with varying prerequisites for 15 different authorisation types","Dual operation as both exemption instrument and approval instrument under multiple regulation powers","Temporal conditions (12-month vs 24-month validity periods for different checks)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA instrument lets Grade 1 flight instructors train and conduct flight tests for specialised skills (aerobatics, formation, sling operations, spinning and certain design features) without separate training-endorsement paperwork, expanding their authority to grant ratings when working for approved Part 141/142 organisations. Conditions: instructors must hold the specific skill endorsements, meet recent proficiency/test timelines, complete CASA’s online examiner course, and it expires September 2028."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument expands operational permissions relative to the baseline CASR requirements by exempting Grade 1 training endorsement holders from subregulation 61.065(1) for specified training and by approving them to conduct flight tests and grant authorisations under conditions (see s4(1), s6(2)–(4)). The expansion is time‑limited (1 Oct 2025–30 Sep 2028) and constrained by endorsement matching, recent proficiency/flight‑test currency, completion of CASA e‑learning, and employer/Part 141 or 142 operator approval (see s2, s4(2), s6(1)(b)–(c), s6(4)(b)–(c))."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references to multiple CASR regulations and table 61.1235 (definitions and baseline requirements).","Multiple time-limited eligibility pathways (different look‑back periods: 12 months, 24 months) with alternative proofs of currency (instructor proficiency check, flight test, operator proficiency check) (see s6(1)(b)).","Layered conditions: endorsement matching requirement for training (s4(2)), employer/Part 141 or 142 operator authorisation and approval (s6(4)(b)), and compliance with specific Part 61 flight‑examiner obligations as if the instructor were a flight examiner (s6(4)(c)).","Table 1 maps 15 different authorisations to distinct endorsement/rating prerequisites, producing many case‑specific permutations (s6, Table 1).","Mandatory completion of CASA e‑learning modules for approval (s6(1)(c)) adds a procedural compliance step.","Temporary duration (commences 1 Oct 2025; repealed 30 Sep 2028) creates a limited regulatory window that affects planning and administrative overhead (s2).","Exemptions in Part 141/142 for operators depend on the instructor’s exemption status, shifting verification burdens to employers (s5)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument temporarily allows flight instructors holding a Grade 1 training endorsement to conduct specified flight training and to run certain flight tests and grant related authorisations even if they don’t hold an instructor rating training endorsement. It applies to those instructors and the Part 141/142 operators who employ or approve them, and sets conditions (recent proficiency/flight checks, completion of CASA e‑learning, employer approval). It matters because it changes who may legally provide training/testing and shifts compliance and approval responsibilities onto operators."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and","history":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and/history","analysis":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/casa-ex85-25-flight-training-and-flight-tests-by-grade-1-training-endorsement-holders-exemptions-and/documents"}}