//
© 2026 Zoe. All rights reserved.
Zoe is a legal information platform. Always consult the Federal Register of Legislation for authoritative text.
Commonwealth legislation
The Part 135 Manual of Standards prescribes technical and operational requirements for smaller aeroplanes used in Australian air transport (including passenger and medical flights). It sets mandatory equipment, fuel and performance standards, crew training and checks, and surveillance/instrumentation expectations to ensure safe operations.
It applies to small aeroplane operators, pilots, crew and maintenance organisations; compliance protects passengers and crews and is necessary to retain CASA operating authorisations.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Part 135 (Australian Air Transport Operations—Smaller Aeroplanes) Manual of Standards 2020.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
(1) This instrument is the Part 135 (Australian Air Transport Operations—Smaller Aeroplanes) Manual of Standards 2020. (2) This instrument may be cited as the Part 135 Manual of Standards. (3) Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this instrument to “this manual of standards”, “this MOS” or “this instrument” are references to the Part 135 Manual of Standards.
This instrument is made under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
Note: Regulation 135.025 of CASR includes a general power for CASA to issue a Manual of Standards for the purposes of Part 135 of CASR (Australian air transport operations—smaller aeroplanes).
Note: Some expressions used in this instrument are defined in section 1.03 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the Dictionary of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 or subregulation 2(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988.
In this instrument:
AGL means above ground level.
alternate aerodrome has the same meaning as in Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention.
Note: At the commencement of this instrument, Chapter 1 of Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention included the following definition:
Note: “Alternate aerodrome. An aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes either impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or to land at an aerodrome of intended landing where the necessary services and facilities are available, where aircraft performance requirements can be met and which is operational at the expected time of use. Alternate aerodromes include the following:
Take‑off alternate. An alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land should this become necessary shortly after take‑off and it is not possible to use the aerodrome of departure.
En‑route alternate. An alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land in the event that a diversion becomes necessary while en route.
Destination alternate. An alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land should it become either impossible or inadvisable to land at the aerodrome of intended landing.”
APU means auxiliary power unit.
ATS means Air Traffic Services.
Note: The term Air Traffic Services is defined in the Dictionary.
automatic ELT: see section 11.49.
destination alternate aerodrome means an alternate aerodrome that is a destination alternate (within the meaning of Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention).
ELT: see section 11.48.
en route alternate aerodrome means an alternate aerodrome that is an en-route alternate (within the meaning of Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention).
(E)TSO means ETSO or TSO.
GNSS means global navigation satellite system.
headset includes a flying helmet that incorporates a headset.
ISA means International Standard Atmosphere.
landing performance requirements, for an aeroplane, means the landing performance requirements for the aeroplane stated in its flight manual.
LSALT means lowest safe altitude.
MTOW means maximum take-off weight.
NAA means national aviation authority.
operative, for anything, means the thing is not inoperative.
Note: The term inoperative is defined in the Dictionary.
passenger list, for a flight, means a passenger list for the flight, or other document, containing the information stated in subregulation 135.090(2) of CASR.
survival ELT: see section 11.50.
take-off alternate aerodrome means an alternate aerodrome that is a take-off alternate (within the meaning of Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention).
(1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to an ICAO document, however described, is a reference to the document as in force or existing from time to time. (2) In this instrument, a reference to a numbered ICAO Annex is a reference to the Annex of that number, as in force or existing from time to time, and as included in the Chicago Convention. (3) In this instrument, a reference to a numbered ICAO Manual is a reference to the Manual of that number, or later version, as in force or existing from time to time and issued by ICAO. (4) In this instrument, a reference to a numbered ICAO Circular is a reference to the Circular of that number, or later version, as in force or existing from time to time and issued by ICAO. (5) If a provision of this instrument refers to an ICAO document, then, unless the contrary intention appears, the document, as in force or existing from time to time, is taken to be applied, adopted or incorporated by, into or for this instrument, as the case requires.
Note 1: Relevant ICAO documents for this MOS may be accessed by navigating from the following link: http://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/default.aspx.
Note 2: A reference to an ICAO document, including an ICAO Annex, which only occurs in a Note to a provision does not have the effect that the document is taken to be applied, adopted or incorporated for this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears. Such references in Notes are to documents that may be used as guidance or background information.
(1) In this instrument, unless a contrary intention appears, a reference to a particular AS/NZS standard is a reference to the particular joint Australian and New Zealand Standard, as in force or existing from time to time.
Note: For example, the joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754:2004, Child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles.
(2) In this instrument, unless a contrary intention appears, a reference to a particular TSO is a reference to that TSO or a later version of that TSO. (3) In this instrument, unless a contrary intention appears, a reference to a particular ETSO is a reference to that ETSO or a later version of that ETSO.
Note 1: The first version of a TSO may have been issued with, or without, the notation “(0)” at the end (for example only, the citations of TSO-C129 and TSO-129(0) would refer to the same document). Therefore, for first version TSOs, either form is an acceptable citation.
Note 2: TSO later versions are identified by an alphabetical letter (for example only, TSO-C129 (or TSO-C129(0) versus TSO-C129a). Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to (for example only) TSO-C129 (or TSO-C129(0)) means that version or a later version. A reference to TSO-C129a means that version or a later version, but not the earlier version, unless a contrary intention appears.
In this instrument, a reference in a provision to a document that is applied, adopted or incorporated for the purposes of the provision is a reference to the document as it exists or is in force from time to time, unless the contrary intention is expressly stated by the reference being to a specifically dated version of the document.
RESERVED
For subparagraph 135.030(1)(b)(iv) of CASR, the following categories are prescribed: (a) utility; (b) acrobatic.
(1) In this section: relevant cruising speed means the one-engine-inoperative cruising speed, in ISA conditions and still air, stated in the operator’s exposition. (2) This section prescribes requirements for subregulation 135.035(1) of CASR. (3) A piston-engine, multi-engine aeroplane with an MTOW of more than 5 700 kg must not be flown further than the distance from an adequate aerodrome, for the flight, which the aeroplane can fly if flying at the relevant cruising speed for 60 minutes. (4) Subject to subsection (5), a turbine-engine, multi-engine aeroplane with an MTOW of more than 5 700 kg must not be flown further than the distance from an adequate aerodrome, for the flight, which the aeroplane can fly if flying at the relevant cruising speed for 180 minutes. (5) Subsection (4) does not apply if the aeroplane’s operator holds an approval, under regulation 135.020 of CASR, to conduct the flight with the aeroplane.
(1) For paragraph 135.065(1)(a) of CASR, the following documents are prescribed: (a) the aeroplane’s aircraft flight manual instructions; (b) either: (i) the aeroplane’s flight technical log; or (ii) if Part 42 of CASR does not apply to the aeroplane — the maintenance release for the aeroplane; (c) if there is required to be a minimum equipment list for the aeroplane under regulation 135.045 of CASR—the aeroplane’s minimum equipment list; (d) if an operational flight plan for the flight is required under regulation 135.145 of CASR—the operational flight plan for the flight; (e) the journey log for the flight; (f) the authorised aeronautical information for the flight; (g) the weight and balance documents for the flight.
Note 1: These documents are in addition to documents that are required to be carried on the aeroplane, as stated in subregulations 135.065(2) and (3), and regulation 135.075, of CASR.
Note 2: Other documents may also be required to be carried on the aeroplane under other legislation. For example, documentation relating to the carriage of dangerous goods under Part 92 of CASR, or documentation relating to aircraft disinsection requirements and procedures under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
(2) Despite paragraph (1)(a), if: (a) the information and instructions that are required under the relevant airworthiness standards for the aeroplane to be included in the aeroplane’s flight manual are contained in another document; and (b) the other document is carried on board the aeroplane; and (c) that document does not alter, or contain anything that would conflict with, the information or instructions mentioned in paragraph (a); the document may be carried on board the aeroplane in place of the flight manual.
Note: An exposition that meets the requirements stated in subsection (2) could be carried on board instead of the flight manual.
(3) Also, despite paragraph (1)(a), if: (a) the aeroplane’s certificate of registration; (aa) for a registered aeroplane—the aeroplane’s certificate of airworthiness; (ab) for a foreign registered aeroplane—the aeroplane’s authorisation (however described) that is equivalent to a certificate of airworthiness; (b) the other document is carried on board the aeroplane; and (c) that document does not alter, or contain anything that would conflict with, the information or instructions in the checklist; then the document may be carried on board the aeroplane in place of the checklist.
For paragraph 135.075(2)(a) of CASR, the following documents are prescribed: (a) the aeroplane’s certificate of airworthiness and certificate of registration; (b) if the aeroplane has a radio station licence — a copy of the licence; (c) if the flight is a passenger transport operation or medical transport operation — a document containing the information required by regulation 135.090 of CASR (Passenger lists); (d) if the aeroplane is carrying cargo, other than passenger baggage: (i) a manifest and detailed declaration of the cargo; and (ii) a statement about whether any of the cargo may require special, or unusual, handling; (e) a certified true copy of the operator’s Australian air transport AOC; (f) a copy of the operations specifications issued to the operator in relation to the operator’s Australian air transport AOC.
Note 1: These documents are in addition to documents that are required to be carried on the aeroplane, as stated in regulation 135.065 of CASR.
Note 2: For paragraph (b): see the definition of radio station licence in the Dictionary.
For paragraph 135.080(a) of CASR, if the flight is a passenger transport operation, a copy of the passenger list for the flight is prescribed.
For subregulation 135.115(1) of CASR, if equipment listed in column 1 of an item of Table 3.04 is required to be carried for the flight under the civil aviation legislation, the information mentioned in column 2 of the item is prescribed for the equipment.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:343.6pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Table 3.04—Information about emergency and survival equipment</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:20pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Item</span></p></td><td style="width:86pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:216pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Column 2</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:20pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:86pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Equipment</span></p></td><td style="width:216pt; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Information</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:20pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:86pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A life raft</span></p></td><td style="width:216pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The number, colour and type of each life raft carried on the aeroplane</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:20pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:86pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>A signalling device</span></p></td><td style="width:216pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The number, colour and type of each pyrotechnic signalling device carried on the aeroplane</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:20pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3</span></p></td><td style="width:86pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.