Media
resourcesAircraft registration holders are being given a six month period of grace to assist in the transition to the new aircraft flight manuals system.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will take no action during the transition period against aircraft registration holders who are unable to comply with the new flight manual rules.
This means CASA will not take regulatory or enforcement action for breaches of the aircraft flight manual regulations that come into effect on 16 August 2002.
The six month moratorium on compliance action applies to both aircraft registration holders and the pilots flying aircraft that do not comply with the new regulations.
CASA is offering the period of grace because a number of aircraft registration holders are having genuine problems obtaining flight manuals for their aeroplanes.
The new aircraft flight manuals system simplifies procedures and cuts red tape by ending Australian-unique arrangements.
Under the new system aircraft registration holders simply use the approved flight manual provided by the manufacturer, where it is required.
In the case of more than 270 aircraft models no flight manual is needed because the aircraft were approved to a design standard which did not require a flight manual and the information is on placards in the aircraft.
Where a flight manual is required aircraft registration holders have approached manufacturers or agents seeking a copy of the document.
While most people have been able to obtain a flight manual without difficulty, there has been a delay in manuals being made available for some aircraft models.
CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says it would be unfair to penalise people in this situation.
“In some cases the last minute rush for flight manuals has meant there will be a short delay in their delivery to registration holders,” Mr Toller says.
“CASA will not put off the 16 August start date for the new rules but we are delaying any compliance action until after 31 January 2003.
“That gives everyone who still hasn’t got a flight manual, and any required changes, almost six months to get up-to-date by moving across to the new, easier system. However, people can expect compliance action after the end of the period of grace and I urge everyone to join the new system as quickly as possible.”
Details on moratorium in CASA
Policy Notice (Adobe Acrobat document)
More information on new
Aircraft Flight Manuals requirements
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Ref: MR3602