(1) For subregulation 131.460 (1), this Chapter prescribes requirements relating to:
(a) the fitment and non-fitment of equipment to a Part 131 aircraft; and
(b) the carrying of equipment on a Part 131 aircraft; and
(c) equipment that is fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft.
Note Regulations 91.875 and 91.900 of CASR apply to Part 131 experimental and light sport aircraft. The placard requirements in Chapter 27 of the Part 91 MOS apply to Part 131 aircraft that are experimental aircraft or light sport aircraft.
(2) For subregulation 131.460 (1), unless the contrary intention appears in or for a particular provision, the pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft and, if the flight is a balloon transport operation, the balloon transport operator, are subject to each of the requirements set out in the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) In this Chapter, unless the contrary intention appears in or for a particular provision:
(a) a reference to a pilot seeing or viewing anything from a pilot’s position is taken to mean that the thing is seen or viewed from the pilot’s normal control position in the aircraft; and
(b) any mention of feet (or ft) in the context of an altitude is taken to mean feet above mean sea level (AMSL), unless otherwise stated.
Division 26.2 Approvals and visibility
26.02 Approval of aircraft equipment
(1) Before a Part 131 aircraft begins a flight, any equipment that is required to be fitted to, or carried on, the aircraft under this Chapter (other than surveillance equipment required under Division 26.10) must be compliant with the requirements of, or approved under, Part 21 or Part 31 of CASR.
Note Division 26.10, concerning requirements for mandatory or optional carriage of surveillance equipment, provides conditional alleviation from TSO or ETSO authorisation that would otherwise be required. To preserve the scope of this alleviation, such equipment is also excluded from a requirement for CASR Part 21 approval.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the following:
(a) an item of equipment used to display the time;
(b) an item of equipment used to display vertical speed;
(c) an item of equipment used to display magnetic heading;
(d) an item of equipment used to indicate envelope temperature;
(e) an item of equipment used to determine free air temperature;
(f) radiocommunications equipment;
(g) a drop or handling line;
(h) a trail rope;
Division Div 26 - Part 131 (Balloons and Hot Air Airships) Manual of Standards 2024 - 1 General | Zoe
(i) an independent portable light, for example, a torch or landing light;
(j) a headset;
(k) a first-aid kit or medical kit;
(l) survival equipment, including signalling equipment;
(m) an item of equipment used to determine the drift direction of the Part 131 aircraft.
(3) Before a foreign-registered Part 131 aircraft begins a flight in Australian airspace, the equipment fitted to, or carried on, the aircraft must have been approved as required by the NAA of the aircraft’s State of registry.
(4) If equipment is carried on an aircraft although not required by this Chapter to be fitted or carried, then:
(a) the equipment need not be compliant with the requirements of, or approved under, Part 21 of CASR; and
(b) for a foreign registered aircraft — the equipment need not have been approved by the NAA of the aircraft’s State of registry; and
(c) any information, or data, provided by the equipment must not be used by any flight crew member for a flight to comply with any requirement of the civil aviation legislation in relation to communications or navigation; and
(d) the equipment, whether functional or otherwise, must not at any time affect the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Note For other requirements in relation to surveillance equipment that is not required to be fitted or carried, see section 26.21.
26.03 Visibility and accessibility — pilot-operated equipment
(1) This section applies in relation to equipment that is required under this Chapter to be fitted to, or carried on, an aircraft for a flight.
(2) Any equipment that is for a pilot’s manual or visual use in, or from, the pilot’s control position must be visible to, and usable by, the pilot from the pilot’s position in the aircraft.
(3) Emergency equipment that is required under this Chapter to be fitted to, or carried on, an aircraft for a flight must be easily accessible for immediate use in the event of an emergency.
26.04 Serviceability of equipment
Any equipment required by this Chapter to be fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft for a flight must be operative unless:
(a) another section of this Chapter provides otherwise; or
Note An MEL, approved under regulation 91.935, can only permit equipment required to be fitted to, or carried on, an aircraft by this Chapter, to be unserviceable within the limits of the requirements contained in this Chapter. For example, paragraph 26.30 (b) contains an allowable time period of 72 hours related to flights with inoperative surveillance equipment. An MEL would not be approved if it contained a maximum time period for required surveillance equipment to be inoperative that was greater than the time period specified by either a master minimum equipment list (MMEL) or the legislation.
(b) the equipment:
(i) is inoperative because of a defect that has been approved as a permissible unserviceability for the aircraft for the flight; and
(ii) is fitted or carried in accordance with the permissible unserviceability.
Division 26.3 Flight instruments
26.05 Part 131 aircraft VFR flight by day
(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), a Part 131 aircraft for a VFR flight by day must be fitted with, or carry, equipment for measuring and displaying the following flight information:
(a) pressure altitude;
(b) for a hot air airship — magnetic heading;
(c) for a Part 131 aircraft other than a hot air airship — the drift direction;
(d) time;
(e) vertical speed;
(f) free air temperature.
(2) The equipment for measuring and displaying the flight information mentioned in column 1 of an item in Table 26.05 (2) must meet the requirements mentioned in column 2 of the same item.
Table 26.05 (2) – Requirements for equipment – Part 131 aircraft VFR flight by day
Column 1
Column 2
Item
Flight information
Requirements
1
Pressure altitude
The equipment must:(a) have an adjustable datum scale calibrated in millibars or hPa; and(b) be calibrated in feet except that, if a flight is conducted in a foreign country which measures FLs or altitudes in metres, the equipment must be calibrated in metres or fitted with a conversion placard or device.
2
Magnetic heading
The equipment must be a direct reading magnetic compass.
3
Time
1. The equipment must display accurate time in hours, minutes and seconds.2. The equipment must be:(a) fitted to, or carried on, the aircraft; or(b) worn by, or be immediately accessible to, the pilot for the duration of the flight.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a relevant aircraft if the aircraft is fitted with equipment which provides the pilot with the same flight and navigation information as would be provided through compliance with subsections (1) and (2).
(4) For subsection (3):
relevant aircraft means a Part 131 aircraft that is any of the following:
(a) a light sport aircraft for which a special certificate of airworthiness has been issued and is in force under regulation 21.186 of CASR;
(b) any other Part 131 aircraft:
(i) for which an experimental certificate has been issued and is in force under paragraph 21.191 (a), (b), (g), (h) or (j) of CASR; or
(ii) that is an LSA for which an experimental certificate has been issued under paragraph 21.191 (k) of CASR.
26.06 Hot air airship flight – VFR flight – additional requirements
(1) For a VFR flight, a Part 131 aircraft that is a hot air airship must meet the requirements in this section.
(2) A hot air airship that has a maximum permissible forward airspeed less than that attainable with the engine(s) operating at full power must have equipment capable of indicating when the maximum permissible airspeed is reached.
(3) A pressurised hot air airship must have an internal pressure indicator for use by the pilot in command.
Division 26.4 Operational equipment
26.07 Radiocommunication systems
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a Part 131 aircraft for a flight in any class of airspace, whether controlled or uncontrolled, must be fitted with, or carry, radiocommunication systems capable of:
(a) collectively communicating on all frequencies necessary to meet the reporting, broadcast and listening watch requirements under regulations 131.354, 91.635, 91.640 and 91.675, from any point on the route of the flight, including in the event of any diversions; and
(b) 2-way voice communications; and
(c) communicating on the aeronautical emergency frequency 121.5 MHz.
Note Certain experimental aircraft do not have to comply with the requirement for this equipment to be approved under Part 21 of CASR: see subsection 26.02 (4).
(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), an aircraft for a flight under the VFR by day in Class G airspace at or below 5 000 ft AMSL (a relevant aircraft) is not required to comply with subsection (1).
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if a relevant aircraft is operating in accordance with the VMC criteria at item 5 or 6 of Table 2.02 (3).
(4) Subsection (2) does not apply if a relevant aircraft is operating within, or intending to enter, an MBA.
Note Certain operational requirements for MBA are contained in section 15.04. Radio broadcast requirements for MBA are contained in section 16.06.
26.08 When aircraft may begin a flight with inoperative radiocommunications
(1) This section applies to a flight of a Part 131 aircraft that is not a balloon transport operation.
(2) A Part 131 aircraft for which a radiocommunication system is required may begin a flight in controlled airspace with an inoperative radiocommunication system only if:
(a) before the flight begins, the ATS service for the airspace is informed of the inoperative radiocommunication system; and
(b) clearance for the flight is obtained from the ATS service; and
(c) for the portions of the flight conducted in Class G airspace above 5 000 ft AMSL, or conducted in an MBA:
(i) the flight is conducted during the day in VMC; and
(ii) the flight is conducted in-company with another aircraft (the other aircraft); and
(iii) the other aircraft is carrying an operative radio; and
(iv) the pilot in command of the other aircraft ensures that all the broadcasts and reports required by regulation 131.354 are made for both aircraft; and
(v) the pilot in command of the other aircraft is:
(A) if the aircraft is an Australian aircraft — authorised under Part 5 of CAR to operate the radio; or
(B) if the aircraft is a foreign registered aircraft — authorised to operate the radio under the law of the aircraft’s State of registry.
Note For continuation of a flight with an inoperative radiocommunication system, see section 15.03.
26.09 Fuel and burner equipment
Except for a gas balloon, a Part 131 aircraft for a flight must be fitted with, or carry, the following equipment:
(a) equipment for measuring and indicating fuel quantity;
(b) at least 2 items of equipment for igniting the burner;
(c) for flight at night, at least 2 independent fuel systems.
26.10 Lines and ropes
(1) Except for a gas balloon, a Part 131 aircraft for a flight must be fitted with, or carry, a drop or handling line that is at least 25 m in length.
(2) For a flight of a Part 131 aircraft that is both a free balloon and a gas balloon, the aircraft must be fitted with, or carry, a trail rope that is at least 20 m in length and made of natural fibre or electrostatic conductive material.
26.11 Pilot restraint harness
(1) This section applies for any flight of a Part 131 aircraft (the aircraft) that is a balloon transport operation.
(2) The pilot who is operating the controls of a Part 131 aircraft that is fitted with an approved pilot restraint harness must wear the harness:
(a) whenever the aircraft is operating below 500 feet AGL, including during take‑off; and
(b) during landing or any landing phase, until the aircraft is finally secured on the ground.
Note It is recommended that the pilot operating the controls of the balloon, whether the pilot in command or the pilot in command under supervision, should wear the pilot restraint harness throughout the flight. A pilot restraint harness may significantly reduce the severity of injuries to the pilot and passengers in the event of an accident where the pilot may be ejected from the basket.
26.12 Remote area survival equipment
A flight of a Part 131 aircraft that will be conducted in or through a remote area (within the meaning given by section 26.63 of the Part 91 MOS) must carry survival equipment that is suitable for sustaining life as appropriate for the remote area to be overflown.
Division 26.5 Lighting systems
26.13 Lights for VFR flight at night
(1) A Part 131 aircraft for a VFR flight at night must be fitted with, or carry, the following lighting systems:
(a) at least 2 portable battery-operated lights, for example, torches or flashlights, capable of illuminating for the pilot in command any equipment whose information, data or display is essential for the safe operation of the aircraft;
(b) a light capable of lighting a sufficient area of the surface for the aircraft to be landed at night in an emergency;
(c) a red anti-collision light that is visible from below, indirectly from above, and in all directions around, the aircraft, for at least 4 000 m.
Note Optimum visibility is obtained by suspending the light below the aircraft.
(2) An anti-collision light must be displayed during a flight.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the pilot in command reasonably believes that, in the circumstances, reflection or glare from the anti-collision light system may cause a hazard to an aircraft.
Division 26.6 Oxygen equipment and oxygen supplies
26.14 Supplemental oxygen equipment and supplies
(1) A Part 131 aircraft must carry, and make available to persons on board the aircraft during flight, sufficient supplemental oxygen to meet the requirements set out in Chapter 10 of this MOS.
(2) If a supply of supplemental oxygen (the oxygen) is required to be carried on a Part 131 aircraft, the oxygen must be stored and supplied by an oxygen delivery system that is compliant with the requirements of, or approved under, Part 21 of CASR.
Division 26.7 Emergency locator transmitters
26.15 ELT requirements
If an emergency locator transmitter (an ELT), whether an automatic ELT or a survival ELT, is fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft, it must comply with the requirements set out in Division 26.12 of the Part 91 MOS.
Division 26.8 Portable emergency equipment
26.16 Hand-held fire extinguishers
A Part 131 aircraft must carry at least 1 portable fire extinguisher that is:
(a) readily accessible to the pilot in command; and
(b) compliant with:
(i) any Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by CASA, as in force from time to time; or
(ii) if there is no applicable AD — a dry powder type extinguisher of at least 1 kg capacity.
26.17 First-aid kits
A Part 131 aircraft for a flight that is a balloon transport operation must be equipped with a first-aid kit that is:
(a) suitable for the nature of the planned operation and the number of passengers carried; and
(b) readily accessible for use; and
(c) kept up-to-date; and
(d) inspected periodically to confirm that the contents are complete and in good condition for the intended use.
Division 26.9 Equipment for flights over water
26.18 Life jackets and flotation devices
(1) If a life jacket or equivalent flotation device is carried on a Part 131 aircraft, it must comply with the requirements set out in this section.
(2) The life jacket or flotation device must be:
(a) equipped with a whistle; and
(b) if the flight is to be conducted at night — equipped with an electric light to facilitate the location of the person; and
(c) stowed in a position from which it is readily retrievable by the person for whose use it is provided, given the position on the aircraft which the person occupies during the flight.
Note See subsections 18.03 (4) and (5) for requirements that the pilot in command, and a balloon transport operator, must comply with in relation to when life jackets must be worn.
Division 26.10 Surveillance equipment
26.19 Exceptions to (E)TSO or NAA requirements
(1) A requirement under this Division that an item of equipment that is to be fitted to, or carried on, an aircraft must be authorised in accordance with a particular TSO or ETSO does not apply to a Part 131 aircraft for surveillance equipment if:
(a) the configuration of the surveillance equipment provides the pilot, other aircraft, and ATS with the same surveillance capability as would be provided if the equipment had complied with the particular TSO or ETSO; and
(b) the pilot in command or the operator has a statement of conformance (however described) from the equipment manufacturer stating the particular standard or standards of the TSO or ETSO with which the equipment conforms.
(2) The requirement in subsection 26.28 (4) that an approved integrated TABS device (the equipment) that is to be fitted to, or carried on, an aircraft must be authorised by the relevant NAA of the equipment manufacturer does not apply to a Part 131 aircraft if:
(a) the configuration of the equipment that is fitted to, or carried on, the aircraft provides the pilot, other aircraft, and ATS with the same surveillance capability as would be provided if the equipment had been expressly authorised by the relevant NAA; and
(b) the pilot in command or the operator has a statement of conformance (however described) from the equipment manufacturer stating that the equipment meets the requirements of this Division for the equipment.
26.20 Definitions
In this Division:
14 CFR 91.225 means regulation 91.225 of the United States Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) titled Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS‑B) Out equipment and use.
ADS-B means automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast.
ADS-B OUT means the functional capability of an aircraft or vehicle to periodically broadcast its state vector (position and velocity) and other information derived from on-board systems in a format suitable for ADS-B IN capable receivers.
ADS-B test flight means a flight to prove ADS-B transmitting equipment that is newly installed on the aircraft undertaking the flight.
aircraft address means a unique combination of 24 bits available for assignment to an aircraft for the purpose of air-ground communications, navigation and surveillance.
alternate ADS-B OUT equipment configuration: see paragraph (b) of the definition of approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration.
approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration means an equipment configuration capable of ADS-B OUT operation on the ground and in flight, and that is 1 of the following:
(a) an approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability connected to an approved GNSS position source;
(b) an alternate ADS-B OUT equipment configuration meeting the requirements mentioned in section 26.26;
(c) another system approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to a system mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).
approved EC device configuration means an equipment configuration meeting the requirements mentioned in section 26.28.
approved GNSS position source means a GNSS position source that is:
(a) authorised by the FAA or EASA in accordance with 1 of the following:
(i) (E)TSO-C145a;
(ii) (E)TSO-C146a;
(iii) (E)TSO-C196a; or
(b) an alternate GNSS position source meeting the requirements mentioned in section 26.24; or
(c) another system approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to performance in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b).
approved integrated TABS device means an equipment configuration meeting the requirements mentioned in section 26.28.
approved Mode A/C transponder means a Mode A transponder or a Mode C transponder that is authorised:
(a) by CASA or the NAA of a recognised country in accordance with TSO-C74c or ETSO-C74d; or
(b) by CASA in accordance with ATSO-1C74c.
approved Mode S transponder means a Mode S transponder that is:
(a) authorised by CASA or the NAA of a recognised country in accordance with TSO-C112 or ETSO-2C112a; or
(b) another system approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to a system mentioned in paragraph (a).
approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability means an approved Mode S transponder that is:
(a) authorised by CASA or the NAA of a recognised country in accordance with (E)TSO-C166; or
(b) another system approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to a system mentioned in paragraph (a).
approved Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device configuration means an equipment configuration meeting the requirements mentioned in section 26.27.
approved transponder means an approved Mode A/C transponder or an approved Mode S transponder.
assigned aircraft address means an aircraft address that is assigned to an aircraft by:
(a) for an aircraft registered on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register — CASA; or
(b) for an aircraft that is a foreign registered aircraft — the relevant NAA.
Class A TABS means TABS functionality relating to transponder function, altitude source function, and ADS-B OUT function, in accordance with (E)TSO-C199.
Class B TABS means TABS functionality relating to position source function, in accordance with (E)TSO-C199.
Class B TABS position source device means a device with a Class B TABS functionality.
DAPs means Mode S EHS downlink aircraft parameters.
EASA AMC 20-24 means Annex II to ED Decision 2008/004/R titled Certification Considerations for the Enhanced ATS in Non-Radar Areas using ADS-B Surveillance (ADS-B-NRA) Application via 1090 MHz Extended Squitter, dated 2 May 2008, of EASA.
EASA CS-ACNS means Annex I to ED Decision 2013/031/R titled Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Airborne Communications, Navigation and Surveillance CS-ACNS, dated 17 December 2013, of EASA, or any later version.
EC device means an electronic conspicuity device.
FDE is short for fault detection and exclusion and means a GNSS receiver’s ability to exclude faulty satellites from position computation.
GPS means Global Positioning System.
HPL means the horizontal protection level of the GNSS position of an aircraft as an output of the GNSS receiver or system.
IFR, or instrument flight rules, has the meaning given by the CASR Dictionary.
integrated TABS device means a device with integrated Class A TABS and Class B TABS functionality.
Mode A is a transponder function that transmits a 4-digit octal identification code for an aircraft’s identity when interrogated by an SSR.
Mode A code is the 4-digit octal identification code transmitted by a Mode A transponder function.
Mode C is a transponder function that transmits a 4-digit octal identification code for an aircraft’s pressure altitude when interrogated by an SSR.
Mode S is a transponder function that uses a unique aircraft address to selectively call individual aircraft and support advanced surveillance using Mode S EHS, Mode S ELS, or Mode S ES capabilities.
Mode S EHS means Mode S enhanced surveillance, which is a data transmission capability of a Mode S transponder.
Mode S ELS means Mode S elementary surveillance, which is a data transmission capability of a Mode S transponder.
Mode S ES means Mode S extended squitter, which is a data transmission capability of a Mode S transponder used to transmit ADS-B OUT information.
NACp means Navigation Accuracy Category – Position as specified in paragraph 2.2.3.2.7.1.3.8 of RTCA/DO-260B.
NIC means Navigation Integrity Category as specified in paragraph 2.2.8.1.16 of RTCA/DO-260B.
NUCp means Navigation Uncertainty Category – Position as specified in paragraph 2.2.8.1.5 of RTCA/DO-260.
RTCA/DO-229D means document RTCA/DO-229D titled Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Global Positioning System/Wide Area Augmentation System Airborne Equipment, dated 13 December 2006, of the RTCA Inc. of Washington D.C. USA (RTCA Inc.).
RTCA/DO-260 means RTCA Inc. document RTCA/DO-260 titled Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B), dated 13 September 2000.
RTCA/DO-260B means RTCA Inc. document RTCA/DO-260B titled Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 1090 MHz Extended Squitter Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information Services – Broadcast (TIS-B), dated 2 December 2009, unless a later version is expressly referred to.
SA means Selective Availability, and is a function of the GPS that has the effect of degrading the accuracy of the computed GPS position of a GNSS-equipped aircraft.
SDA means System Design Assurance as specified in paragraph 2.2.3.2.7.2.4.6 of RTCA/DO-260B.
SIL means Source Integrity Level as specified in paragraph 2.2.3.2.7.1.3.10 of RTCA/DO-260B.
SSR, or secondary surveillance radar, means a surveillance radar system which uses transmitters/receivers (interrogators) and transponders.
surveillance equipment means equipment that broadcasts data as a means to identify an aircraft, determine its 3-dimensional position or obtain other information (such as, but not limited to, velocity and selected altitude or flight level).
surveillance radar means radar equipment used to determine the position of an aircraft in range and azimuth.
TABS means traffic awareness beacon system.
transponder means an aircraft’s SSR transponder.
UK CAP 1391 means Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom document number CAP 1391 titled Electronic conspicuity devices, 3rd edition, dated February 2021, or a later edition, as in force from time to time.
26.21 Required surveillance equipment
(1) A Part 131 aircraft for a flight for which surveillance equipment is required under this section must be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment that meets the requirements relevant to the intended operation and class of airspace.
Note See also section 26.19 of this MOS regarding certain aircraft that can be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment that is not in accordance with a TSO or ETSO provided certain conditions are met.
(2) A Part 131 aircraft operating at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Perth aerodrome must be fitted with, or carry, at least 1 approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability.
Note An approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability is not required to transmit ADS-B OUT for a VFR flight.
(3) For subsection (1), a Part 131 aircraft in an operation mentioned in column 1 of an item in Table 26.21 (3), in the class of airspace mentioned in column 2 of the item, must be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment meeting the requirements mentioned in column 3 of the item.
At least 1 approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration.
2
Any operation by a Part 131 aircraft
Classes A, B or C (below FL290)
At least 1:(a) approved ADS-B OUT configuration; or(b) approved Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device configuration; or(c) approved transponder.Note An approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability is not required to transmit ADS-B OUT for a VFR flight.
3
An operation by a Part 131 aircraft with engine-driven electrical power generation capacity
Class E (not above FL290)Class G — from 10 000 ft to not above FL290
At least 1:(a) approved ADS-B OUT configuration; or(b) approved Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device; or(c) approved transponder; or(d) an approved integrated TABS device.Note An approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability is not required to transmit ADS-B OUT for a VFR flight.
26.22 Requirements for other surveillance equipment for VFR aircraft
(1) A Part 131 aircraft may be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment in addition to the surveillance equipment required by section 26.21, but only if the requirements of this section are met.
(2) A Part 131 aircraft may be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment in circumstances where surveillance equipment is not required by section 26.21, but only if the requirements of this section are met.
(3) For subsections (1) and (2), a Part 131 aircraft in an operation mentioned in column 1 of Table 26.22 (3), in the class of airspace mentioned in column 2 of the item, may be fitted with, or carry, surveillance equipment provided that it meets the requirements mentioned in column 3 of the item.
Classes A, B, C or E — below FL290Class G — from 10 000 ft but not above FL290
An approved EC device configuration.Note An EC device may be operated concurrently with a Mode A/C, or a Mode S transponder (other than one that is transmitting ADS-B — see section 26.76).
2
Any operation
Class G — below 10 000 ft
Any of the following:(a) approved ADS-B OUT configuration;(b) approved equipment configuration of a Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device;(c) approved transponder;(d) an approved integrated TABS device;(e) an approved EC device.Note 1 An approved Mode S transponder with ADS-B capability is not required to transmit ADS-B OUT for a VFR flight.Note 2 An EC device may be operated concurrently with a Mode A/C, or a Mode S transponder (other than one that is transmitting ADS-B).
26.23 Operation of surveillance equipment — general requirements
(1) Surveillance equipment required to be fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft by section 26.21 must be continuously operated during the circumstances mentioned in section 26.21.
Note Continuous operation for a transponder implies that the equipment must be operated in a mode that enables an SSR response to be transmitted and, where an altitude reporting capability is available, that this capability is also activated.
(2) Surveillance equipment (other than approved transponders) fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft for section 26.22 must be continuously operated during the circumstances mentioned in that section for the specific kind of equipment.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if ATC has issued an instruction that the surveillance equipment is not to be operated.
(4) Unless otherwise required by ATC, a Part 131 aircraft that is flying in formation with, or flying in-company with, 1 or more other Part 131 aircraft, is not required to operate surveillance equipment if serviceable surveillance equipment is operated by the other, or 1 of the other, Part 131 aircraft at all times while the aircraft are flying in the formation or flying in-company.
(5) If a Part 131 aircraft for a flight is fitted with, or carries, more than 1 approved transponder, only 1 of the transponders is to be operated at any time.
(6) If a Part 131 aircraft is fitted with, or carries, an approved transponder for a flight, the Mode A code must be set:
(a) to the transponder code assigned by ATS for the flight; or
(b) if no transponder code is so assigned — to the relevant standard code mentioned in Table 26.23 (7).
(7) For paragraph (6) (b), for a situation mentioned in column 1 of an item in Table 26.23 (7), the Mode A code is the number mentioned in column 2 for the same item.
(8) Subject to subsection (9), if an emergency situation described in an item of column 1 of Table 26.23 (8) occurs during a flight, a pilot of the aircraft for the flight must set the Mode A code mentioned in column 2 of the same item.
(9) Despite subsection (8), a pilot of an aircraft for a flight does not have to set a Mode A code mentioned in column 2 of Table 26.23 (8) if the pilot reasonably believes that maintaining an existing Mode A code would result in a safer outcome.
(10) Pressure altitude information reported by an approved transponder or approved ADS‑B OUT equipment configuration must be determined by:
(a) a barometric encoder of a type authorised in accordance with ETSO-C88a; or
(b) another system approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to a system mentioned in paragraph (a).
Table 26.23 (7) – Transponders – Mode A standard codes
Column 1
Column 2
Item
Situation
Mode A Code
1
Flights in Class A, B, C or D airspace
3000
2
VFR flights in Class E or G airspace
1200
3
Flights in Class G over water at a distance greater than 15 NM from shore
4000
4
Ground testing by aircraft maintenance staff
2100
Table 26.23 (8) – Transponders – Mode A emergency codes
Column 1
Column 2
Item
Situation
Mode A Code
1
Unlawful interference
7500
2
Loss of radiocommunication
7600
3
In-flight emergency (unless otherwise instructed by ATC)
7700
26.24 Mode S transponders, ADS-B OUT and electronic conspicuity equipment — specific requirements
(1) An approved Mode S transponder fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft for a flight must have the following details entered into the equipment:
(b) as far as practicable for the equipment — 1 of the following forms of aircraft flight identification:
(i) if a flight plan is filed with ATS for the flight — the aircraft identification mentioned on the flight plan;
(ii) if no flight plan is filed with ATS for the flight — the aircraft registration mark or other approved identifier, as applicable.
(2) An approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration, an approved integrated TABS device, or an approved EC device configuration, fitted to, or carried on, a Part 131 aircraft for a flight must have the following items entered into the equipment:
(b) 1 of the following forms of aircraft flight identification:
(i) if a flight plan is filed with ATS for the flight — the aircraft identification mentioned on the flight plan;
(ii) if no flight plan is filed with ATS for the flight — the aircraft registration mark or other approved identifier, as applicable.
(3) An approved Mode S transponder must transmit each of the following when interrogated on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome or in flight:
(b) the Mode A code;
(c) the Mode C code;
(d) subject to subsection (4) — the aircraft flight identification.
(4) Transmission of the aircraft flight identification by an approved Mode S transponder is optional for an aircraft that was first issued with a certificate of airworthiness before 9 February 2012 (an older aircraft). However, an older aircraft that is equipped to do so may transmit its aircraft flight identification.
(5) If an approved Mode S transponder transmits any Mode S EHS DAPs, the transmitted DAPs must comply with the standards set out in paragraph 3.1.2.10.5.2.3 and Table 3‑10 of Volume IV, Surveillance and Collision Avoidance Systems of ICAO Annex 10.
Note 1 Paragraph 3.1.2.10.5.2.3 includes paragraphs 3.1.2.10.5.2.3.1, 3.1.2.10.5.2.3.2 and 3.1.2.10.5.2.3.3.
Note 2 Australian Mode S SSR supports EHS DAPs. Transmission of Mode S EHS DAPs that are not in accordance with the ICAO standards may provide misleading information to ATS. Operators need to ensure that EHS DAPs are being transmitted.
(6) Subject to subsection (7), an aircraft fitted with, or carrying, ADS-B OUT equipment that is not an approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration, approved EC device, approved integrated TABS device, or approved Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device configuration, must not fly in Australian territory, unless the equipment is:
(a) deactivated; or
(b) set to transmit only a value of zero for the NUCp, NACp, NIC or SIL.
Note It is considered equivalent to deactivation if NUCp, NACp, NIC or SIL is set to continually transmit only a value of zero.
(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to a Part 131 aircraft if it is undertaking an ADS-B test flight in VMC in airspace below FL290.
26.25 Alternate GNSS position source for ADS-B OUT — requirements
(1) For a Part 131 aircraft first issued with a certificate of airworthiness on or after 8 December 2016, an alternate GNSS position source is acceptable if the source:
(a) is certified by the NAA of a recognised country for use in IFR flight; and
(b) has included in its specification and operation the following:
(i) GNSS FDE, computed in accordance with the definition at paragraph 1.7.3 of RTCA/DO-229D;
(ii) the output function HPL, computed in accordance with the definition at paragraph 1.7.2 of RTCA/DO-229D;
(iii) functionality that, for the purpose of HPL computation, accounts for the absence of the SA of the GPS in accordance with paragraph 1.8.1.1 of RTCA/DO-229D.
(2) For a Part 131 aircraft first issued with a certificate of airworthiness before 8 December 2016, an alternate GNSS position source is acceptable if it meets the requirements of subsection (1), other than subparagraph (1) (b) (iii) which is optional.
26.26 Alternate ADS-B OUT equipment configuration — requirements
An alternate ADS-B OUT equipment configuration must meet the following requirements:
(a) it must have been approved or accepted by:
(i) the NAA of a recognised country, as meeting the standards of EASA AMC 20-24 or EASA CS-ACNS; or
(ii) the FAA, as meeting the standards of 14 CFR 91.225 for 1090 Megahertz (MHz) Extended Squitter ADS-B;
(b) the AFM or flight manual supplement must attest to the approval or the acceptance;
(c) the GNSS system must meet the relevant performance requirements mentioned in section 26.25.
26.27 Approved Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device equipment configuration — requirements
(1) A Mode S transponder must be of a type that is:
(a) authorised in accordance with (E)TSO‑C166B; or
(b) approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to the standard mentioned in paragraph (a).
(2) When required to be operated, the relevant transponder component must transmit NACp, NIC, SIL and SDA values in accordance with the authorised capability of the GNSS position source.
(3) The geographical position transmitted by the Mode S transponder must be determined by:
(a) a Class B TABS position source device that is authorised in accordance with (E)TSO-C199; or
(b) another source approved under Part 21 of CASR as having a level of performance equivalent to the standard mentioned in paragraph (a).
(4) If a Mode S transponder with Class B TABS position source device transmits a SIL value of less than 2, the aircraft must not enter controlled airspace if, for such airspace, the aircraft must be fitted with, or carry, equipment that is of an approved ADS-B OUT equipment configuration.
(1) An approved integrated TABS device (the device) may only be operated in transmitting mode if the flight is conducted:
(a) below FL290; and
(b) in Class D, E or G airspace.
(2) The device must meet the technical specifications in (E)TSO-C199 that are for a device with integrated Class A TABS and Class B TABS functionality.
(3) The device must transmit a SIL value of 1.
(4) The device must be authorised by the relevant NAA of the equipment manufacturer as meeting the standards mentioned in subsections (2) and (3).
Note See subsection 26.19 (2) for an exception to the NAA authorisation requirement mentioned in subsection 26.28 (4).
26.29 Approved EC device — requirements
(1) An EC device may only be operated in transmitting mode if the flight is conducted below FL290.
(2) The EC device must not be operated in transmitting mode concurrently with a Mode S transponder that is also transmitting ADS-B.
Note An EC device may be operated concurrently with a Mode A/C or a Mode S transponder (other than one that is transmitting ADS-B) but it is not a substitute for mandatory carriage of a transponder in relevant airspace.
(3) The EC device must meet the technical specifications in UK CAP 1391, except in relation to the matters mentioned in subsections (4), (5) and (6).
(4) The EC device must use a Class B TABS position source that complies with the performance standards specified in (E)TSO-C199.
(5) The EC device must:
(a) be capable of transmitting a SIL value of 1, in accordance with the standards in UK CAP 1391 for an EC device that uses a Class B TABS position source; and
(b) actually transmit that SIL value of 1.
(6) The EC device must:
(a) meet the requirements described in paragraph 2.2.3.2.7.2.4.6 of RTCA/DO-260B for transmitting an SDA of 1; and
(b) transmit an SDA value of 1.
(7) The EC device must use a barometric encoder for altitude information.
(8) The EC device must be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
(9) The EC device, when mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, must not:
(a) interfere with aircraft controls; or
(b) otherwise affect the safe operation of the aircraft.
(10) The following administrative standards for the EC device must be complied with:
(a) the EC device must have a statement of compliance (however described) from the device manufacturer certifying that the device meets the following requirements (a declaration of capability and conformance or declaration):
(i) if the declaration was made before 2 December 2021 — clauses 1 to 5 of Part B of Appendix XIV of CAO 20.18, as in force immediately before 2 December 2021;
(ii) otherwise — subsections (3) to (7) of this section;
(b) the pilot in command of an aircraft that uses the EC device must carry the declaration, or a copy of it, on board the aircraft;
(c) an EC device model must not be operated in a transmit mode anywhere in Australia unless it is listed on the CASA website as an EC device model for which the manufacturer has made a valid declaration;
(d) the manufacturer of an EC device model may apply in writing to CASA:
(i) for a statement that CASA considers that the manufacturer has made a valid declaration of capability and conformance to subsections (3) to (7) of this section; and
(ii) for inclusion of the EC device model on the CASA website.
(e) CASA may remove an EC device model from the CASA website if:
(i) the manufacturer requests its removal in writing; or
(ii) if CASA is satisfied that removal is required in the interests of aviation safety.
26.30 Aircraft flown with inoperative surveillance equipment
Surveillance equipment required by section 26.21 may only be inoperative at the beginning of a flight if:
(a) the flight begins from a place at which there is no facility for the equipment to be repaired or replaced; and
(b) the flight ends not more than 72 hours after the time the equipment was found to be inoperative; and
(c) before the flight commences, the pilot in command informs ATS about the equipment’s unserviceability.
Note See also section 26.04 for additional requirements related to flight with inoperative equipment. For a flight with inoperative surveillance equipment, within controlled airspace or at a controlled aerodrome, see Division 15.2 concerning ATC clearance requirements. Whether, or when, an ATC clearance is issued could be affected by a flight’s inoperative equipment.