{"id":"F2005B00835","name":"Civil Aviation Order 29.4 - Air displays (02/12/2004)","slug":"civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":32241,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B00835-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Civil Aviation Order 29.4 - Air displays (02/12/2004)","content":"Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. R24) 2004 \nas amended\n\nmade under regulation 156 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.\n\nThis compilation was prepared on 14 January 2015 taking into account amendments up to Civil Aviation Order (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1).\n\nPrepared by the Legislative Drafting Section, Legal Branch, Legal Services Division, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Canberra.\n\n1 Name of Order\n\nThis Order is the Civil Aviation Amendment Order (No. R24) 2004.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis Order commences on gazettal.\n\n3 Replacement of section 29.4 of the Civil Aviation Orders\n\nSection 29.4 of the Civil Aviation Orders is omitted and a new section substituted as set out in Schedule 1.\n\nSchedule 1 Substitution of section 29.4 of the Civil Aviation Orders\n\nSection 29.4\n\nAir Displays\n\n1 Definitions\n\n> In this Order:\n\n> aerial application operation has the meaning given by regulation 61.010 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.\n\n> Air display means organised flying including cross-country events, contests, exhibitions of flying or local flights made for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire or reward performed before a public gathering.\n\n> Public gathering means people assembled at a location on the basis of a general public invitation, with or without subscription or levy.\n\n> Organiser means a person appointed by the organising body to plan and conduct the Air Display.\n\n> Cross-country event means air races, rallies and timed flight events and navigation contests.\n\n2 Approval\n\nAn air display shall not be conducted without the written approval of CASA.\n\n3 Application\n\nWritten application for the approval to conduct an air display shall be submitted to CASA at least 28 days before the proposed air display is to take place and shall contain the following details:\n\n(a) the date and locality of the proposed display;\n\n(b) the program of events;\n\n(c) organisations participating in the display;\n\n(d) names of the principal participants;\n\n(e) the name of the person proposed as organiser.\n\n4 Conditions of approval\n\n4.1 General Conditions\n\nAn air display shall be conducted in accordance with the following general requirements:\n\n(a) the public shall be prevented from entering any area where aircraft engines are operating;\n\n(b) spectator areas shall not be situated in the approach or take-off areas of an aerodrome;\n\n(c) emergency rescue and first aid facilities shall be provided on a scale approved by CASA as commensurate with the scale and nature of the display;\n\n(d) the air display shall be held at a location approved by CASA;\n\n(e) the program of events shall be approved by CASA;\n\n(f) passengers shall not be carried for hire or reward during any part of the air display except where specifically approved as part of the program;\n\n(g) the program shall not include flying events likely to cause diversion of pilot attention from the aircraft control or which feature disorganised flight by aircraft in close proximity;\n\n(h) the air display shall be conducted in V.M.C. except that a cross-country event may be conducted under I.F.R.\n\n4.2 Manoeuvring Limitations\n\n(1)Except during take-off or landing, or where specifically approved as part of the program of events, an aircraft must not operate below 500 feet above ground level.\n\n(2)Except where specifically approved as part of the program of events, an aircraft in flight below 1 500 feet above ground level must not:\n\n(a) track or manoeuvre towards spectators within a horizontal distance of 500 metres; or\n\n(b) pass within 200 metres horizontal distance from spectators.\n\n4.3 Aerial Application Demonstrations\n\nAirborne demonstrations of aerial application equipment must be conducted in accordance with the following additional requirements:\n\n(a) the pilot must be authorised under Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to conduct an aerial application operation in that category of aircraft;\n\n(b) substances having toxic or noxious characteristics must not be released from the aircraft;\n\n(c) substances dropped or discharged from the aircraft must not contact spectators;\n\n(d) equipment used in aerial application demonstrations must be decontaminated before the demonstration in accordance with relevant State, Territory or Commonwealth regulations.\n\n4.4 Cross-Country Events\n\n(1)Cross-country events shall be held over a route approved by CASA.\n\n(2)When making application for approval the organiser shall apply as indicated in subsection 3 and shall include the following additional details:\n\n(a) the object or purpose of the event;\n\n(b) the class of aircraft which will be participating;\n\n(c) the track over which it is proposed that the event will be flown;\n\n(d) the proposed stopping places and reporting points along the route;\n\n(e) the estimated time of commencement and completion of the event;\n\n(f) the detailed organisation for the control of activities.\n\n4.5 Pylon Races\n\nApplication for approval to conduct a pylon race, or a similar event, shall contain details of the area over which the event is to be staged. The area shall be:\n\n(a) suitable for low flying; and\n\n(b) such that the event would not constitute a nuisance to local authorities or residents; and\n\n(c) such that the activity shall not endanger persons or property on the ground or water.\n\n5 Planning and control\n\n5.1 Air Traffic Control services may be provided depending on the nature, scale and location of the air display.\n\n5.2 Where Air Traffic Control services are not provided, the approved location shall be designated as a danger area for the duration of the display.\n\n5.3 Briefing\n\nPrior to the start of an air display the organiser or his representative shall carry out a group briefing of all participants. The briefing must cover all aspects that are likely to affect the safety of flying operations, and shall include the following:\n\n(a) the program of events;\n\n(b) current and forecast weather conditions;\n\n(c) runway(s), taxiways, spectator, aircraft parking and movement areas;\n\n(d) circuit pattern, holding areas, holding heights and aircraft movements;\n\n(e) traffic control procedures and radio frequencies;\n\n(f) emergency procedures;\n\n(g) minimum heights and distances that apply to the display;\n\n(h) ground handling and taxiing procedures;\n\n(i) procedure in the event of movements of aircraft not participating in the air display.\n\n5.4 Responsibility\n\nThe organiser shall be responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and of this section are met.\n\n> Note Persons or organisations intending to conduct an air display at a Commonwealth owned airfield will be required to indemnify the Commonwealth against any action or claim made against it arising from loss, damage, injury or death which may be the consequence of staging the air display, and may be required to take out public risk insurance.\n\n> Notes to Civil Aviation Order\n\n \n\n> Note: 29.4\n\n> Note 1\n\n> Note: The Civil Aviation Order (in force under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988) as shown in this compilation comprises Civil Aviation Order 29.4 amended as indicated in the Tables below.\n\n> Note: > Note: Table of Orders\n\n| Year andnumber | Date of notificationin Gazette/registration on FRLI | Date ofcommencement | Application, saving ortransitional provisions |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |\n| CAO 2004 No. R24 | 8 December 2004 (F2005B00835) | 8 December 2004 (s. 2) | |\n| CAO (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1) | FRLI 29 August 2014 (F2014L01177) | 1 September 2014 (s. 2) | Sections 3 and 31 (Table A) |\n\n```html\n

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

s. 29.4

rs. CAO 2004 No. R24

subs. 1

am. F2014L01177

subs. 3

am. F2014L01177

subs. 4

am. F2014L01177

subs. 5

am. F2014L01177

\n```\n\nTable A Application, saving or transitional provisions\n\nSections 3 and 31 of Civil Aviation Order (Flight Crew Licensing) Repeal and Amendment Instrument 2014 (No. 1) read as follows:\n\n3 Definitions\n\n(1)In this instrument:\n\ncontinued authorisation has the meaning given by regulation 202.261 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998).\n\nnew authorisation has the meaning given by regulation 202.261 of CASR 1998.\n\n(2)A reference in this instrument to a Civil Aviation Order identified by a specified number is taken to include a reference to the section of the Civil Aviation Orders with that number.\n\n> Note Some existing legislative instruments are referred to as a Civil Aviation Order followed by a number. Other instruments are referred to as a section of the Civil Aviation Orders. For consistency, in this instrument, all such instruments are referred to as a Civil Aviation Order followed by a number. For example, a reference to Civil Aviation Order 40.2.2 is taken to include a reference to section 40.2.2 of the Civil Aviation Orders.\n\n31 Transitional — application of Civil Aviation Orders\n\nThe Civil Aviation Orders apply to a continued authorisation as if it were the equivalent new authorisation.","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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Section 29.4 of the Civil Aviation Orders was repealed and substituted (Schedule 1), replacing earlier provisions with the current approval, application, safety, manoeuvring and event‑specific rules (substituted s.29.4, ss.1–5). Subsequent amendments in 2014 altered some subsections (Table of Amendments) and transitional provisions treat continued authorisations as equivalent to new authorisations (Table A, ss.3 and 31)."},"complexity_factors":["Mandatory prior approval from CASA and prescribed 28‑day application timeline (s.2, s.3) — creates administrative steps and potential scheduling constraints","Detailed operational and safety conditions (spectator exclusion zones, emergency services, approved locations) that require planning and resourcing (s.4.1)","Specific manoeuvring limits and distance/height rules for displays and exceptions for approved events (s.4.2) — technical compliance burden for pilots","Special rules for aerial application demonstrations, cross‑country events and pylon races adding tailored requirements (s.4.3–4.5)","Organiser responsibilities for briefings, control and compliance plus possible indemnity/insurance obligations for Commonwealth airfields (s.5.3, s.5.4, Notes)","Discretion by CASA to approve locations, programs and required scale of emergency services (s.2, s.4.1(c),(d),(e))","Interplay with other instruments and transitional provisions referencing Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and continued/new authorisations (Notes; Table A, ss.3 and 31) — regulatory layering"],"plain_english_summary":"**What it does:** Requires organisers to obtain CASA's written approval before conducting any air display, submit an application at least 28 days beforehand, and meet specified safety and operational conditions (spectator separation, emergency services, manoeuvring limits, briefings and approved locations) (substituted s.29.4, ss.2–5).\n\n**Who it affects and why it matters:** Applies to organisers, pilots, participants, aerodrome operators and spectators. Organisers bear planning, briefing, compliance and possible insurance/indemnity obligations; CASA decides approvals and conditions, creating administrative discretion and compliance costs (s.3, s.4, Notes)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original scope as a safety regulation for air displays. The 2014 amendments were technical updates to references following the introduction of new flight crew licensing regulations, not an expansion of the Order's purpose or coverage."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (specifically Part 61 and regulation 61.010 for aerial application operations, and regulation 202.261 for transitional provisions)","Mix of technical aviation terminology requiring parenthetical explanation for lay readers (V.M.C., I.F.R., aerial application operation)","Nested conditional logic in safety rules (e.g., 'Except during take-off or landing, or where specifically approved...')","Multiple event types with distinct requirements (general displays, aerial application demonstrations, cross-country events, pylon races) creating parallel regulatory structures","Transitional provisions in Table A linking to separate 2014 instrument for flight crew licensing changes","Approximately 6 defined terms in the interpretation section, some referencing external regulations"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the rules for running **air displays** in Australia — think air shows, aerobatic displays, pylon races, and cross-country flying competitions.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Organisers** of air displays (the people planning and running the event)\n- **Pilots** performing in displays\n- **CASA** (the Civil Aviation Safety Authority — Australia's aviation regulator)\n- **Spectators** attending public air shows\n\n**What it does:**\n\n- **Requires approval:** You cannot hold an air display without written permission from CASA. Applications must be submitted at least 28 days in advance and include details like dates, location, program, and who is participating.\n\n- **Sets safety rules:**\n - Spectators must be kept away from running aircraft engines and out of take-off/landing areas\n - Emergency rescue and first aid must be available\n - Displays generally must happen in good weather (**V.M.C.** or Visual Meteorological Conditions — meaning pilots can see where they're going)\n - Cross-country events can operate in poor visibility (**I.F.R.** or Instrument Flight Rules — using instruments rather than sight)\n\n- **Sets height and distance limits:**\n - Aircraft normally cannot fly below 500 feet (about 150 metres) above ground\n - Below 1,500 feet, aircraft cannot fly toward spectators within 500 metres horizontally, or pass within 200 metres of them\n\n- **Covers special events:**\n - **Aerial application demonstrations** (crop-dusting displays): pilots must be properly licensed, toxic substances are banned, and equipment must be cleaned beforehand\n - **Cross-country events:** need approved routes with detailed flight plans\n - **Pylon races:** need suitable low-flying areas that won't disturb locals or endanger people on the ground\n\n- **Requires planning and briefings:** Organisers must brief all participants on safety procedures, weather, emergency protocols, and flight patterns before the display starts.\n\n- **Assigns responsibility:** The organiser is legally responsible for ensuring all aviation safety rules are followed.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nAir displays involve aircraft flying close to crowds at low altitudes — inherently risky activities. This law exists to protect spectators, participants, and people on the ground by ensuring proper planning, regulatory oversight, and strict safety margins."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004","history":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004/history","analysis":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/civil-aviation-order-29-4-air-displays-02-12-2004/documents"}}