Part 138 (Aerial Work Operations) Manual of Standards 2020

What this legislation does:

This is the Part 138 Manual of Standards (MOS) — the detailed rulebook that governs aerial work operations in Australia. Aerial work covers specialised aviation activities like helicopter winching, firefighting, search and rescue, aerial mustering, banner towing, and carrying workers to remote job sites.

Who it affects:

• Aerial work certificate holders — operators with a CASA certificate to conduct aerial work for hire or reward
• Limited aerial work operators — those conducting simpler operations (like unpaid spotting or photography over their own land)
• Pilots, crew members, and task specialists working in these operations
• Emergency services — police, fire, ambulance, and search & rescue organisations that use aircraft

Key things the rules cover:

| Area | What the rules do | |------|-----------------| | External loads | Define 5 classes of loads carried outside aircraft (A–E), including people (Class D). Strict requirements for winching, belly hooks, platforms, and rappelling. | | Flying low and close to objects | Prescribe when helicopters and planes can fly below normal minimum heights — essential for tasks like powerline inspection or rescue. | | Night vision (NVIS) | Detailed requirements for flying with night vision goggles, including crew qualifications, landing site standards, and weather limits. | | | Rules for when aerial work passengers can be carried (different limits for day/night, IFR/VFR, and number of passengers). | | | Mandatory systems for operators doing complex work — regular proficiency checks, emergency training, and qualified trainers. | | | Requirements to assess and mitigate risks before operations, especially in "aerial work zones" (AWZs) where aircraft fly low near people or property. | | | Strict rules for aerial shooting — training, safety plans, communication, and no-fly zones near populated areas. | | | New rules (2025) for transporting firefighters to bushfires — written consent, risk acknowledgment, and operational restrictions. |