10.5 Certification of Aircraft, Parts and Appliances II

Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC)

• CASA must grant an AROC if the applicant meets eligibility requirements.
• An AROC holder can transmit on radio frequencies for air navigation safety.
• Transmission authorization requires a current aviation English language proficiency assessment.
• Someone without an AROC can transmit for air navigation safety only when receiving training/assessment.
• Training must be directly supervised by an eligible person and an approved assessor.

Certification of Aircraft, Parts, and Appliances II (10.5) Learning Objectives

• Explain the structure and intent of Part 21 of CASR 1998 (Level 2).
• Explain the purpose and issue of Special Flight Permits (Level 2).
• Explain Certificates of Registration and the obligations of the registration holder (Level 2).
• Explain the purpose and issue of Noise Certificates (Level 2).
• Explain the purpose of Weight Schedules and the obligation operators have for regular aircraft weighing (Level 2).
• Explain the purpose and issue of Radio Station Licence and Approvals (Level 2).

Primary Category Aircraft

• CASR Part 21 introduced a "Primary category aircraft", mirroring the FAA Primary category.
• These aircraft are of simple design and for personal/pleasure use.
• Eligibility requires meeting the description in CASR 21.24 for aircraft like aeroplanes, gliders, rotorcraft, and manned free balloons.
• CASR 21.24 simplifies certification, lessening CASA involvement and reducing type certification costs.
• Certification in this category is optional.
• Applicants can choose Primary category certification per CASR 21.24 or other small aircraft procedures in AC 21.13.
• A Primary category aircraft cannot have a multiple-category Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA).
• Certification category depends on aircraft design, use, and applicant's demand forecasts.

Primary Category Type Certificates

• An applicant can get a TC for a Primary category aircraft if it meets certain criteria.
• The aircraft can be unpowered.
• The aircraft can be an aeroplane with a single, naturally aspirated engine with a stall speed of 61 kt or less.
• The aircraft can have a MTOW no more than 1225 kg, or 1530 kg if a seaplane, and an unpressurized cabin.
• The aircraft can be a rotorcraft powered by a single, naturally aspirated engine, with a defined main rotor disc loading limitation.

Special Flight Permit (SFP) Issuance

• SFPs are issued when a CofA is temporarily invalid due to damage or lack of maintenance.
• SFPs are issued when a CofA can't be issued because the aircraft lacks essential airworthiness requirements.
• SFPs are issued when compliance hasn't been shown, but the aircraft can still fly safely.
• SFPs do not authorize deviation from regulatory requirements for aircraft operation.
• CASR 21.197 lets CASA or an authorized person issue SFPs.
• Regulation 21.197 applies to aircraft not meeting airworthiness but capable of safe flight under SFP.
• Purposes for issuing SFP include:
  • Flying to a base for repairs, alterations or maintenance
  • Delivering or exporting aircraft
  • Production flight testing of new aircraft
  • Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger
  • Conducting customer demonstration flights in new aircraft
  • Assisting in search and rescue
  • Dealing with a state of emergency
• An SFP allows flight with an aeronautical product covered by an Airworthiness Directive (AD) if the AD doesn't prohibit SFP issuance.

CASA Special Flight Permit Excerpt

• Regulations apply to aircraft meeting airworthiness requirements but are overweight.
• An SFP can be issued under these rules for temporary non-commercial operation of an overweight aircraft.
• If an SFP is granted for a ferry flight of an aircraft exceeding its certified MTOW, no separate exemption for the flight is needed.
• Specific conditions and limits are in the SFP.
• An SFP remains valid for operation outside Australia if it's for the intended purpose and within the permit's timeframe.
• An SFP does not allow flights over other countries without their permission.
• SFPs do not allow commercial operations.
• Flight tests for maintenance completion or assessment as in the AMM can be done by logging the requirement in the aircraft technical log.
• No SFP is required in this case.
• An SFP isn't a special flight authorization, which lets foreign-registered aircraft operate in Australia on an SFP or special CofA from a National Airworthiness Authority (NAA).
• Applications are made on CASA Form 725.

Special Flight Permit Issuance

• Prior to issuing an SFP, CASA or an authorized person may require an aircraft inspection.
• The applicant must assist with inspections, which resolve issues for safe flight for the intended purpose(s).
• Inspections can be done by the authorized person, a CASA inspector, or a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) under CASA's direction.
• After inspection and considering all facts, the authorized person decides on conditions, limits, and directions before issuing the SFP.
• An SFP may be sent to the operator electronically, with the copy valid for the flight.
• The original form must be carried on board for international operation.
• Regulations allow CASA flexibility in waiving requirements for civil aircraft.
• The aircraft can be unregistered if not in international airspace.
• The aircraft can be flown without a certified CRS.
• The aircraft can be flown without nationality or registration marks.
• The aircraft might not need to comply with certified CRS conditions.
• The aircraft can be flown with outstanding maintenance and certification.
• The aircraft can be flown without some or all documents in CAR 139.
• SFPs offer an exemption to airworthiness rules so unserviceable aircraft can still be operated safely, but not for commercial operations.
• SFPs are issued for a specific period for specific flights and the certificate will be in force for the period specified or until canceled, whichever comes first.

Aircraft Registration Certificate

• CASR Part 47 introduces "Registration Holder" and "Registered Operator".
• The Registration Holder is aircraft's legal owner.
• The Registered Operator manages ongoing airworthiness and maintenance.
• To be a Registration Holder, you must be a legal entity and supply proof of this.
• Examples of legal entities are:
  • individual
  • incorporated body
  • corporation with ACN
  • government/agency
• Individuals can use a certified true copy of a current or recently expired driver's license.
• Organisations must supply their ACN or certified Certificate of Incorporation.

Registered Operator

• To be a Registered Operator, one must be an eligible person who can provide proof of eligibility, but is only done when notified by CASA.
• An eligible person is defined as:
  • A resident of Australia who is at least 18 years old
  • An Australian citizen or a permanent visa holder
  • A corporation under the Corporations Act 2001
  • A body incorporated under Australian law
  • An agency of the Commonwealth, State, or Territory
  • A foreign corporation lawfully operating a business in Australia.
• Identification requires proving Australian residency, age, and citizenship/visa status by supplying:
  • a certified true copy of a current driver's license
  • a certified true copy of birth certificate showing parents' details, or citizenship certificate, or Australian passport showing nationality.
• Organizations provide their ACN, a certified copy of their Certificate of Incorporation, or lawful business operation proof for foreign corporations.

CASR Part 47

• Part 47 covers aircraft registration and how marks are assigned.
• Aircraft excluded from Part 47 include:
  • Foreign registered aircraft
  • Unmanned free/tethered balloons
  • Kites
  • Model aircraft
  • Parachutes
  • Rockets
  • UAVs (except large UAVs)
• CASA keeps a register of all registered aircraft, the Australian Civil Aircraft Register, available online.
• CASA must record in the register:
  • Registration mark
  • Aircraft type
  • Manufacturer, model, and serial number
  • Manufacture country and year
  • Owner name and address
  • Registered operator name and address
  • Registration date
  • End date (if applicable)

Noise Certification

• AC 21.13 addresses noise certification needs, including those for Primary category aircraft.
• Australia requires individual aircraft noise certification for legal operation on its territory.
• Noise is regulated by Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations under the Air Navigation Act 1920, introduced in 1984.
• Noise certification (or lack thereof) does not impact type certification or individual CofA issuance.
• Aircraft not meeting Australian noise requirements cannot operate in Australia, despite having a valid CofA.
• Before processing the first CofA, the manufacturer/TC holder tests for long-term operation in Australia.
• For aircraft not exceeding 450 kg, standards are in CAO 101.55 Subsection 9.
• Airservices Australia usually witnesses light aircraft noise testing, but it's not needed for CAO 101.55.
• All data must be sent to Airservices Australia's Environment Monitoring Branch, which issues the noise certificate to the manufacturer/TC holder.
• Airservices Australia may issue a Permission to Operate, limited to a duration/route, aligning with experimental certificate terms, if long-term noise certification fails.

Weight Schedules and Balance Reports

• Weight and balance reports for Transport and Commuter category aeroplanes must be based on actual aircraft weighing within 12 months before export airworthiness approval requests and post repair/modification.
• Equipment changes post-weighing (excluding major changes) can be computed and the report updated.
• Non-transport aeroplanes, normal rotorcraft, or gliders may use computed weight/balance data if CASA approves their fleet weight control procedures.
• A report statement must say, "The weight and balance data shown in this report are computed on the basis of CASA's approved procedures for establishing fleet weight averages".
• Weight and balance reports must have an equipment list showing weights and moment arms for both required and optional items included in the certified empty weight.
• CAO Section 100.7 administrates and provides procedure for weight control.
• The order addresses:
  • Weighing intervals
  • Weighing procedures
  • Loading data
  • Record of weight alterations
  • Current empty weight

Radio Station Licenses: Purpose and Requirements

• The point of a Radio Station Licence is to approve an aircraft's radio communication tools.
• Radio navigation and communication equipment must comply with Airworthiness Bulletin AWB 23-001 Issue 2.
• Radio equipment on aircraft needs licensing under Commonwealth of Australia rules.
• The Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) launched the Aircraft and Aeronautical Mobile Stations Class Licence system on August 18, 2016.
• This system allows numerous aircraft to use aeronautical radio and navigation systems.
• Class licensing effectively manages the spectrum for services using common frequencies and sets of equipment with common conditions.
• The ACMA handles the minimalistic licensing administration for these devices.
• A class license outlines operation guidelines, is not individually issued, and does not include fees or individual conditions.
• ACMA issues class licenses to authorize users of spectrum segments via the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
• The general radio and navigation tools that are installed need the class license.

Approval of Airborne Radio Systems

• CAO Section 100.37 outlines how to get approval for installing or changing radio systems, including portable ones.
• Aircraft owners or representatives file a schedule with the director listing the major radio gear, including type and model numbers, before an Australian CofA or SFP is issued.
• To install a new system or change an existing one, file a radio installation data sheet (or equivalent) approved by the Director of Aviation Safety or an authorized design approver.
• The radio installation data sheet/equivalent must include:
  • organization name
  • data sheet serial number
  • date
  • aircraft registration
  • proposed installation details/procedures
  • installation drawing(s)
  • any differences from the procedures/drawings
  • proving tests
• After a radio system part is certified (within 28 days), file a schedule to CASA's field office with the types/model numbers and descriptions of equipment installed/removed.
• Aircraft must follow these steps before a CofA or SFP is granted.

Licensing of Ground Operations Personnel

• Part 64 of CASR 1998 regulates personnel licensing for ground operations.
• It defines requirements/privileges for an Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC) with training/assessment via Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
• Part 64, under Part 61, covers flight crew licensing.
• Part 64 impacts unmanned aircraft operators and non-licensed pilots who need aeronautical radio operation on the ground or in flight.

Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate Eligibility

• An aeronautical radio operator is trained and assessed against standards in the Part 61 Manual.
• The training covers the operation of an aeronautical radio to the standards specified in the Part 61 Manual of Standards.
• The person eligible to deliver training is:
  • a pilot instructor holding a training endorsement for pilot license/flight crew rating training
  • a registered organization with AROC training in its scope
  • the holder of a CASA approval
• To be an assessor the following is required:
  • CASA
  • a flight examiner
  • a pilot instructor holding a training endorsement for pilot license/flight crew rating training
  • the holder of an approval
  • the holder of an equivalent foreign qualification

Granting AROC Eligibility

• The person must meet the given criteria.
• This includes being at least 17 years old.
• Also the minimum is to hold a foreign qualification equivalent to either:
  • Private Pilot Licence
  • Commercial Pilot Licence
  • Multi-Crew Pilot Licence
  • Air Transport Pilot Licence
  • Flight Engineer Licence
  • Recreational Pilot Licence with flight radio endorsement
  • Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate.
• Must hold an aviation English language proficiency assessment.

Assessor AROC Obligations

• Applies to flight examiners, pilot instructors, or approval holders assessing for aeronautical radio competency.
• Assessors commit an offense if they aren't satisfied the person completed training before assessing.
• To apply for AROC, a person can apply in writing to CASA, using CASA Form 64-ROC.
• If an applicant relies on training, their application must include proof of aviation English language proficiency.
• If relying on a foreign qualification, the application should also contain a certified true copy of it.
• The only exception is if the qualification has information that complies with ICAO level 4, 5, or 6 aviation English language proficiency standard.
• In that case, present the applicant's ICAO English language proficiency assessment.