Aero clubs wary of annual aircraft registration plan

RFACA president Lachlan Hyde has called on CASA to begin a staged consultation process, including a formal Cost Recovery Implementation Statement, to allow industry to “properly assess the proposed fee model, administrative costs, safety rationale and expected impact”.

“Every part of Australia’s aviation system relies on a healthy general aviation sector. Aero clubs, flying schools and private aircraft owners are not peripheral to aviation; they are where the next generation of pilots, engineers, instructors and aviation professionals begin,” he said.

“RFACA supports accurate aircraft registration data, effective safety oversight and a properly resourced regulator.

“But if a new annual charge is being proposed for every VH-registered aircraft, industry deserves to see the safety case, the cost-recovery model and the practical detail before it is introduced.”

Hyde notes that a recurring charge on every VH aircraft would be “a significant policy shift” at a time when general aviation is “already facing significant cost pressures” such as fuel, maintenance, training costs, infrastructure access, regulatory compliance, and insurance.

“It should not first come to industry’s attention through a footnote or brief line in a Budget paper. If the objective is a more accurate aircraft register, CASA should say so. If the objective is improved safety, then the safety benefit needs to be clearly demonstrated,” he said.

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In a statement, a CASA spokesperson said the scheme would “ensure that aircraft data, including ownership, operator currency, contact details and history is kept up to date”.

“This will enable CASA to maintain strong regulatory oversight of the aircraft fleet, identify trends and respond more effectively to risks.

“We will consult on how the scheme will be implemented during 2026-27. Any revenue raised will cover the cost of administering the scheme from 2027-28. There will be no fee for the first year.

“No decisions have been made as to how the registration fees will be set. We expect this will form part of our consultation.”

According to Hyde, CASA’s response “confirms why industry scrutiny is needed”.

“A new annual VH registration scheme would be a significant policy shift, and a general commitment to consultation is not enough on its own. RFACA will engage in that process, but industry still needs to see the detail before the scheme is locked in,” he said.

“This includes the safety rationale, cost-recovery assumptions, administrative cost, proposed fee model, consequences of non-renewal, and any concessions or exemptions for aero clubs, flying schools, heritage aircraft, restoration projects and low-utilisation private aircraft.

“If the scheme is genuinely about data integrity, then it must be simple, digital, low-cost and proportionate. It should not become another unnecessary impost on aircraft owners, aero clubs and flying schools unless CASA can clearly demonstrate the compliance and safety benefit.”

The budget earmarks a $731.1 million package over four years from 2026–27 (and $9.8 million per year ongoing) to “support aviation priorities”.