CASA EX72/24 – Part 138 and Part 91 of CASR – Supplementary Exemptions and Directions Instrument 2024

This is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) instrument that grants temporary exemptions and gives directions to aerial work operators (like helicopter companies doing firefighting, rescue, or survey work) from certain strict safety rules in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR).

What it does:

• Gives breathing room on deadlines: Extends the time an operator has to fix issues if their key personnel (like head of operations) can't do their job, from 30 days to 35 days.
• Grandfathering for existing operators: Allows operators who were already in business before December 2021 to keep using their existing key staff (chief pilots, safety managers) even if they don't meet the new qualification requirements, provided they document the old requirements in their manuals.
• Relaxes training rules: Lets operators use foreign training providers for flight crew training if they're approved by a recognised overseas aviation authority. Also exempts some ground staff from strict training and checking requirements, as long as the operator can show they're competent and safe.
• Special rules for emergency and surveillance flights:
  • Allows pilots to skip carrying physical medical certificates and licences on board if they notify CASA.
  • Lets emergency service flights (like air ambulances) use their own safety briefing procedures instead of standard passenger briefings when it's not practical to do the full briefing.