Farewell to Registered Aerodromes

Regulatory framework

Applicable requirements include the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR), Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth) (CASR), Manual of Standards (MOS) and other guidance material. 

Under the current framework there are four categories of aerodromes, as summarised in Table 1. 

‘Registered and ‘certain other’ categories will not exist after August 2020 under the revised regulations’

Civil Aviation Safety Amendment (Part 139) Regulations 2019

CASR Part 139 has been substantially revised via the Civil Aviation Safety Amendment (Part 139) Regulations 2019. According to Schedule 1 of these regulations, current Subparts 139.A to 139.F will be repealed and substituted with new content. 

Under the new regulations, an aerodrome will be either certified or not. Under the new CASR 139.025, an aerodrome must be certified if there is a terminal instrument flight procedure for the aerodrome and the procedure is not only for use in a specialised helicopter operation. 

Registered and ‘certain other’ categories will not exist after August 2020 under the revised regulations. 

A matrix of requirements applicable to various aspects of operational oversight for certified aerodromes under the new regulations is provided in Table 2 (source: CASA).

‘The vast majority of any changes for existing registered aerodromes are administrative in nature’ Jason Rainbird

Manual of Standards Part 139 — Aerodromes 

Manual of Standards Part 139 — Aerodromes (MOS 139) sets out the standards and operating procedures for certified, registered and certain other aerodromes used in air transport operations. 

The current MOS 139, published in 2017 will also be revised in August 2020, and will apply almost entirely to certified aerodromes only. 

Advisory circulars

Advisory circulars are intended to provide advice and guidance to illustrate a means, but not necessarily the only means, of complying with the regulations, or to explain certain regulatory requirements by providing informative, interpretative and explanatory material. 

Jason Rainbird, CASA’s manager aerodromes, advised that a comprehensive suite of 37 revised and new advisory circulars is being produced to assist in complying with the new regulations. The ACs will be progressively released over the next 12 months. 

CAAP 92-1(1) Guidelines for aeroplane landing areas

Civil Aviation Regulations (1988), Part 9 — Aerodromes, ‘Division 8 — Use of aerodromes’ sets out the regulations applicable to the use of aerodromes. The subdivision includes reg 92. 

Civil Aviation Advisory Publications (CAAP) provide guidance, interpretation and explanation on complying with the CAR or Civil Aviation Orders (CAO). 

As a means of providing guidance to aeroplane landing area (ALA) operators, CASA has published recommended practices in its CAAP 92-1(1) Guidelines for aeroplane landing areas (CAAP 92-1(1)). 

The purpose of the CAAP 92-1(1) guidance is described as follows: 

These guidelines set out factors that may be used to determine the suitability of a place for the landing and taking-off of aeroplanes. Experience has shown that, in most cases, application of these guidelines will enable a takeoff or landing to be completed safely, provided that the pilot in command: 

1. has sound piloting skills; and 
2. displays sound airmanship. 

Many aerodrome owners/ operators and aircraft operators (including the Royal Flying Doctor Service) rely on the simple guidance provided in CAAP 92-1(1) to establish the suitability of the aerodrome for the intended operations. 

Rainbird was asked “Does CASA intend to update guidance regarding aircraft landing areas – CAAP 92-1(1), and if so, when will it be produced?” He replied: “Absolutely and it is currently undergoing review. It was written prior to the introduction of Part 139 of the CASRs and associated manual of standards and we are updating it so it aligns with the CASR framework. We’re aiming to have it completed late 2020 and will consult with industry on the updates to this guidance.” 

Guidance to aerodrome operators preparing for the changes

Rainbird provided some sound advice for aerodromes preparing for the changes: 

• Understand the different level of requirements dependent on either passenger or aircraft movements. The vast majority of any changes for existing registered aerodromes are administrative in nature.
• The understanding of grandfathering is critically important from a verification and planning perspective. There will be a detailed Advisory Circular to assist industry as to what the requirements are re grandfathering moving forward.
• There are no requirements for existing registered aerodromes to construct new aerodrome facilities to meet certification.
• If considering aerodrome deregistration to an Aeroplane Landing Area (ALA), understand this will result in any terminal flight procedures being withdrawn from publication and therefore unable to be flown anymore. Have a think about how this will impact your community as medical and emergency flights may not be able to access your airport.
• We’re providing the Manual Authoring and Assessment Tool (MAAT) to assist aerodromes with the development of their Aerodrome Manual (AM). This tool is online and will take you step by step through the aerodrome manual. Additionally, the use of the MAAT is voluntary and there is no requirement to utilise it if so desired.
• While the changes may feel daunting for some smaller aerodromes, we are here to help with any questions and provide support.

If any aerodromes have a technical question about the new Part 139 MOS send an email to aerodromes_regs@ casa.gov.au. One of the regulatory implementation team will respond. You can also contact your CASA Aerodromes Inspector who will be happy to assist.