{"id":"F2005B01590","name":"DASR 2/1994 - Instructions","slug":"dasr-2-1994-instructions","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":112050,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005B01590-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"DASR 2/1994 - Instructions","content":"INSTRUMENT NUMBER DASR 2/1994\n\nCivil Aviation Act 1988\n\nCivil Aviation Regulations\n\nI, COLIN TORKINGTON, Acting Director, Directorate of Aviation Safety Regulation, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Authority, under regulation 174A of the Civil Aviation Regulations, issue the instructions set out in the Schedule.\n\nSCHEDULE\n\nPart 1—Radio communication equipment\n\nRadiocommunication equipment to be carried\n\n1.1 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R and engaged in an operation specified in column 2 of an item in the Table must, subject to this clause, be equipped with the radio communication equipment set out in column 3 of the item.\n\nTable\n\n| Column 1Item No. | Column 2Operation                                                                         | Column 3Equipment required                   |\n| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |\n| 1.               | Regular public transport operations                                                       | (a) 1 VHF and 1 HFsystem;OR(b) 2 VHF systems |\n| 2.               | Charter operations other than operations referred to in item 3                            | 1 VHF system                                 |\n| 3                | Charter operations outside VHF range of an air traffic control unitor flight service unit | 1 VHF system and1 HF system                  |\n| 4                | Operations at night other than operations referred to in items1, 2 and 3                  | 1 VHF system                                 |\n\n| 5   | Operations in controlled airspace other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3 and 4                                                                                                            | 1 VHF system |\n| --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ |\n| 6   | Operations at a height of 5000 feet or more other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5                                                                                               | 1 VHF system |\n| 7   | Operations in an area known as a mandatory traffic advisory frequency area other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6                                                             | 1 VHF system |\n| 8   | Operations in reduced VMC outside controlled airspace and below 3000 feet or 1000 feet above ground level (whichever is the higher) other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 | 1 VHF system |\n| 9   | Operations in remote areas in an aircraft that does not carry an emergency locator transmitter other than operations referred to in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8                                   | 1 HF system  |\n\n(2) A HF system must be fitted to an aircraft referred to in item 1 of the Table if the aircraft will be operating in an area where the pilot in command cannot maintain continuous radio contact with Air Traffic Control or Flight Service on VHF frequencies.\n\n(3) Subclause (2) does not apply to an aircraft engaged in regular public transport operations if the aircraft carries equipment that enables continuous radio communication with an appropriately-trained representative of the aircraft’s operator.\n\n(4) An aircraft referred to in item 3 does not have to be fitted with a HF system if the aircraft carries equipment that enables continuous radio communication with an appropriately-trained representative of the aircraft’s operator.\n\n(5) A HF system must be fitted with frequencies:\n\n(a) appropriate to the area of operation; and\n\n  \n\n(b) sufficient to enable continuous communication with Air Traffic Control or Flight Service during the flight including ground operations.\n\n(6) Item 5 of the table does not apply to:\n\n(a) gliders operating at or below 10,000 feet; and\n\n(b) ultralight aircraft operating at a height of less than 2,000 feet above ground level.\n\n(7) The pilot in command of an aircraft:\n\n(a) referred to in item 6, 7 or 9 of the table; and\n\n(b) engaged in private or aerial work operations; and\n\n(c) having a maximum take-off weight of 450 kilograms or less;\n\nmay carry, and use, a licensed hand-held VHF radiocommunication system and, if the pilot does so, the aircraft does not have to be equipped with the equipment specified in column 3 of the relevant item.\n\n(8) The pilot in command of a balloon may carry, and use, a licensed hand‑held VHF radiocommunication system and, if the pilot does so, the balloon does not have to be equipped with any other equipment that may be required under subclause (1) in relation to the balloon.\n\nPart 2—Radio navigation systems\n\nAircraft operating under V.F.R. at night\n\n2.1 (1) An aircraft operating under V.F.R. at night must be equipped with:\n\n(a) an automatic direction finding system; or\n\n(b) a VHF omni-directional radio range system.\n\nPart 3—Other equipment\n\nAircraft or pilot must carry a timepiece\n\n3.1 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must be equipped with a timepiece that is accurate to within 30 seconds.\n\n(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if the pilot in command of the aircraft is carrying a time piece that is accurate to within 30 seconds.\n\nSecondary surveillance radar transponders\n\n3.2 (1) An aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must not start operations:\n\n(a) in controlled airspace; and\n\n(b) within radar coverage of Air Traffic Control;\n\nunless the aircraft is fitted with a serviceable secondary surveillance transponder capable of Mode A and Mode C operation.\n\n(2) Subclause (1) does not apply if the aircraft is operating in general aviation aerodrome procedures control zones and associated lanes of entry.\n\n\\[Signed Colin Torkington\\]\n\nCOLIN TORKINGTON\n\nActing Director\n\nDirectorate of Aviation Safety Regulation\n\n6 January 1994","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument articulates technical equipment and operational exceptions for VFR flights; it does not expand or narrow the classes of operations governed by the Civil Aviation Act itself. It prescribes equipment and limited exemptions rather than changing who falls within the regulatory regime."},"complexity_factors":["Operation-specific requirements set out in a table (regular public transport, various charter, night, controlled airspace, altitude, remote areas) increase conditionality and compliance tracking.","Multiple conditional exceptions (e.g. HF requirement waived if continuous comms via operator representative; handheld VHF allowed for very light aircraft and balloons) create nuance in applicability (clauses 1.1(2)–(4), 1.1(7)–(8)).","Technical specification variations (VHF vs HF, Mode A/Mode C transponder capability, frequencies appropriate to area) require equipment validation and maintenance regimes (clauses 1.1(1), 1.1(5), 3.2(1)).","Cross-cutting operational triggers (controlled airspace, radar coverage, VFR at night, specific height thresholds) mean pilots must interpret spatial/altitude conditions against equipment rules (items 4–9, 2.1(1), 3.2(1)).","Targeted exemptions for categories (gliders, ultralights, small MTOW) and for certain aerodrome procedures add nested exceptions to the baseline rule (1.1(6), 1.1(7), 3.2(2)).","Enforcement and discretion rest with a delegated CAA official (instrument signed by delegate), creating administrative decision points for compliance and exemptions."],"plain_english_summary":"These instructions set minimum equipment for aircraft operating under VFR: required radio communications (VHF and/or HF by operation), night radio‑navigation (ADF or VOR), a timepiece accurate to within 30 seconds, and a serviceable Mode A/C transponder before operating in controlled airspace with radar. They apply by operation type and include exceptions allowing licensed hand‑held radios for certain light aircraft and balloons.\n\nPilots and operators must provide and maintain the required equipment; a Civil Aviation Authority delegate enforces compliance, imposing equipment costs, operational constraints and some discretionary exemptions."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument appears focused on its original purpose of specifying equipment requirements for VFR operations. The scope covers radio communications, navigation systems for night flight, timekeeping equipment, and transponder requirements — all logically grouped operational safety equipment. No evidence of scope creep beyond the original aviation safety remit."},"complexity_factors":["9 distinct operational categories in the Table with overlapping and mutually exclusive conditions (items 1-9 with 'other than' exclusions)","Nested exceptions: subclause (2) creates a requirement, then subclause (3) creates an exception to that exception","Multiple conditional triggers: aircraft type, weight (450kg threshold), operation type (private/aerial work vs commercial), altitude, time of day, and geographic location","Cross-references between table items and subclauses (e.g., items 6, 7, 9 referenced in subclause 7)","Technical aviation acronyms requiring domain knowledge (VFR, VHF, HF, VMC, Mode A/C transponder)","Dual pathways for compliance in several places (installed equipment vs handheld alternatives)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument mandates minimum radio and navigation equipment for VFR flights in Australia, applying to pilots and aircraft operators with requirements varying by operation type, airspace, and aircraft category.\n\nIt’s aimed at ensuring pilots can communicate and navigate safely—especially at night or in busy/remote airspace—by scaling equipment rules (radios, navigational aids, transponders, and a 30‑second-accurate timepiece) with the level of risk, while allowing limited exceptions for very small aircraft, gliders, and balloons."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions","history":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions/history","analysis":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/dasr-2-1994-instructions/documents"}}