Airworthiness Standards Part 23 Overview

Part 23 Airworthiness Standards

• This code outlines airworthiness standards for the issue of Type Certificates (TCs) and changes to aircraft certificates.
• Categories covered include: Normal, Utility, Aerobatic, and Commuter.

Normal Category Aircraft

• Intended for non-aerobatic operation.
• Seating configuration (excluding pilot) of nine seats or less.
• Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 5700 kg or less.
• Must meet airworthiness standards of CASR Part 23 (aeroplanes) or Part 27 (rotorcraft), or be accepted from a recognized country.
• Very Light Aircraft (VLA) design requirements carry additional restrictions.
• These include single, non-turbine engine, two seats or less, MTOW of 750 kg or less, and stall speed of 45 kt or less in landing configuration.

Very Light Aircraft

• A very light aircraft must have two seats or less.

Utility Category Aircraft

• Applies to aeroplanes, gliders, and powered sailplanes for limited aerobatic operations.
• Seating configuration (excluding pilot) of nine seats or less.
• Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 5700 kg or less.
• Meets design requirements of CASR Part 22 or 23.
• Can be automatically accepted from a recognised country.
• Includes increased structural load and design dive speed factors compared to the Normal category.
• Limited aerobatic operations include spins (if approved), lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns with a bank angle of more than 60° but not more than 90°.

Aerobatic Category Aircraft

• Applies to aeroplanes, gliders and powered sailplanes.
• Seating configuration (excluding pilot) of nine seats or less.
• Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 5700 kg or less.
• Can be flown without restrictions, except for those shown necessary during certification.
• Meets standards of CASR Parts 22 or 23 or automatically accepted from a recognised country.

Commuter Category Aircraft

• Intended for non-aerobatic operation.
• Multi-engine, propeller-driven aircraft.
• Seating configuration (excluding pilot) of 19 seats or less.
• Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 8618 kg or less.
• Meets design requirements of CASR Part 23.
• Offers higher safety than the Normal category due to increased performance, structural, and powerplant certification requirements.

Part 27

• Specifies airworthiness standards for Normal category rotorcraft.
• Max Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 3175 kg or less
• Up to 9 passenger seats

Parts 25 and 29

• Transport Category aircraft.
• Primarily for public transport of passengers and cargo.
• MTOW in excess of 5700 kg (aeroplanes) or 5700kg (rotorcraft).
• Meets standards of CASR Part 25 (for aeroplanes) or Part 29 (for rotorcraft), meets standards from a recognised country, or complies with predecessors.

Certification of Aircraft Parts and Appliances II (10.5)

• Learning objectives focus on the structure and intent of Part 21 of CASR 1998 (Special Flight Permits, Registration, Noise and Radio Station Licences)
• Additional learning objectives concern the purpose and issue of various certificates.

Primary Category Aircraft (Part 21)

• Identical to FAA Primary category.
• Intended for pleasure and personal use.
• Simplified certification procedures, allowing reduced CASA involvement.
• May be unpowered, have a single engine with a specific stall speed, and MTOW requirement.
• Optionally, may be a rotorcraft with a specific design limitation.

Special Flight Permits (SFP)

• Issued when a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) is temporarily invalid due to damage, maintenance, or non-compliance with airworthiness regulations.
• Allows operation of an aircraft for specific, non-routine purposes.

Registration (Part 47)

• Introduces concepts of Registration Holder (legal owner) and Registered Operator (responsible for continuing airworthiness).
• Registration holder must be an entity (individual, corporation, government agency).

Registered Operator

• Includes residents of Australia who are at least 18 years old
• Australian citizens, permanent visa holders, corporations, bodies, agencies, or foreign corporations.

Radio Station Licences

• For radio/communication equipment installed for all aircraft operations.
• Licensing requirements are addressed in AC21.13 for primary category aircraft.

Approval of Airborne Radio Systems

• Procedures for approval of radio systems' installation or modifications must adhere to CAO 100.37.
• The holder of the CofA or SFP is responsible for providing schedule and details required for installation.

Ground Operations Personnel Licensing (Part 64)

• Establishes rules for licensing ground personnel (AROCs).
• Handles privileges, requirements of Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificates (AROC).

Eligibility for AROC Certificate

• Defines eligibility criteria for those who wish to conduct training and assessment for a pilot or aircraft radio operator.
• It includes different categories of individuals.

Grant of Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate

• The holder of an AROC is authorized to operate radios for air safety purposes.
• A person without an AROC can also operate the radio under direct supervision of an approved assessor.

Parts 21 and 42 of CASR 1998 (10.6)

• Describe in detail the structure and intent of Part 21 and 42 of CASR 1998.

Part 21 of CASR 1998

• Contains provisions ensuring the continuing airworthiness of Australian aircraft.
• Includes type certification, airworthiness certification, and production certification.

CASR Part 21 Definitions (Appliance, Article, ATSOA)

• Defines 'Appliance', 'Article', and 'Australian Technical Standard Order Authorisation (ATSOA)' as used in Part 21.

Production Certification and Approval

• Provides details regarding manufacturing approval under CASR Part 21.
• Two methods for achieving approval are described: Production under a Type Certificate (TC) only and Manufacture under a Production Certificate (PC).

Australian Parts Manufacturing Approval (APMA)

• Procedures for approving parts manufacturing.
• Describes engineering design and Fabrication Inspection System (FIS) requirements.

Australian Technical Standard Order Authorisation (ATSOA)

• Information outlines the requirements for the issuance of ATSOA and the regulations governing their use.

Identification of Aircraft and Aeronautical Products

• Explains the identification requirements for aircraft, including Aircraft Manufacturer's Data Plates (e.g., manufacturer's name, type certificate number, serial number, and model designation) attached to aircraft and parts. The data plate must be securely attached to the aircraft, typically near entrances.

Explore the standards of airworthiness outlined in Part 23, covering various aircraft categories including Normal, Utility, Aerobatic, and Commuter. This quiz delves into the specifics of Type Certificates and the criteria necessary for aircraft to be considered airworthy. Test your knowledge on Very Light Aircraft and other classifications.