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Commonwealth legislation
This legislation is a collection of exemptions granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that allow certain pilots, flight instructors, and aviation operators to bypass specific strict requirements under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR). Instead of following the usual rules, these groups can follow alternative conditions set out in this instrument.
Who it affects:
What it does (key areas):
1. Logging flight time for co-pilots Normally, co-pilots on aircraft certified for single-pilot operations cannot log their time as proper "flight time" for licence upgrades. This instrument allows them to count this time toward an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) or type ratings, provided they record it properly in their logbook.
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Direct links to the current provisions in CASA EX32/24 — Flight Crew Licensing and Other Matters (Miscellaneous Exemptions) Instrument 2024.
Zoe has indexed the source text for search and analysis. Use the official register for the original document and download formats.
View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
2. Flight control seat rules Usually, instructors and examiners must sit in a flight control seat (the pilot's seat). This exemption allows them to conduct certain training and checks from a non-control seat or even from the ground in a simulator, provided they can observe and communicate with the pilot.
3. Instrument proficiency checks (IPC) Pilots normally need a specific check for each aircraft type every 12-24 months. This allows pilots to satisfy the check requirement by completing it in any similar aircraft type within the same category, rather than the exact type they fly.
4. Flight reviews Pilots with certain ratings can use a flight review completed for one type of aircraft to satisfy the review requirement for another similar rating, avoiding redundant checks.
5. Foreign cadet pilots Foreign students training in Australia for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) can take their flight test with only a Class 2 medical certificate (less strict than Class 1), provided they meet their home country's medical standards.
6. Multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training Various pilots (ADF members, MPL holders, experienced charter pilots) can skip the standard MCC training course if they have equivalent military training, European qualifications, or sufficient recent multi-crew experience.
7. Basic instrument flight training Grade 1-3 flight instructors who haven't done the full instrument rating instructor course can still teach basic instrument flying if they complete a specific CASA-approved training course.
8. Aerial application operations Heads of flight operations (chief pilots) at aerial application companies can conduct each other's proficiency checks instead of requiring an external flight examiner, provided they notify CASA.
9. English language proficiency Creates alternative pathways for pilots to prove their English skills without going through the standard CASA assessment system, including recognition of European assessments or general English proficiency for lower-level licences.
10. Medical certificates for certain flights Commercial and Air Transport pilots can fly small aircraft (under 8,618 kg) without passengers using only a Class 2 medical certificate instead of the stricter Class 1, provided the flight stays entirely within Australia.
11. Solo cross-country training Helicopter students can do their first solo cross-country flight before completing all the usual instrument training hours, provided they've mastered confined area operations.
Why it matters: This instrument reduces red tape and training costs for the aviation industry while maintaining safety through specific conditions. It recognises equivalent overseas qualifications, allows flexibility for experienced pilots, and addresses practical operational needs (like allowing chief pilots to check each other in remote aerial work operations). It expires on 31 May 2027.