Apply for navigation approval

You must apply for navigation approvals when operating in Australia or overseas. This applies to:

Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required (RNP AR)
Reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM)
North Atlantic high-level airspace (NAT HLA).

Applying for RNP AR and RVSM

Division 91.D.8 of CASR requires operators to hold an approval under regulation 91.045 for either:

operations within RVSM airspace
when conducting RNP AR operations.

Other performance-based navigation specifications do not require approval. The operator must declare the navigational capability specifications in their exposition or operations manual.

Approval to operate in RVSM airspace is specific to an individual aircraft.

RNP AR approval is for an aircraft type and model.

An operator must apply to CASA for each individual aircraft they wish to operate in RVSM airspace.

How to apply for RNP AR and RVSM

If you are applying for RNP AR or RVSM and located outside Australia, contact us about international operator certificates and permission.

For applicants located in Australia, follow these steps to complete your application:

Complete an application form

Download and complete the Navigation Authorisation – RNP AR and RVSM application form.

If you can’t download or need help completing the form, contact us.
Submit your application
Follow the instructions on the form to submit your application.

Allow at least 90 days for us to process applications. You should submit your applications to us well before you need to use your navigation authorisation. This allows enough time for us to assess your application for:
- initial issue of a navigation authorisation to an operator
- entry into service of a new aircraft type in the operator’s fleet.
Submitting applications late may mean we can't issue your navigation authorisation in time for your planned activities.

Applying for NAT HLA

All operators intending to operate in the NAT HLA must have approval from the State of Registry or State of the operator.

There are restrictions to certain routes for operators within the NAT HLA depending upon the aircraft equipment. You can find details about the limitations in the approval.

To operate in the NAT HLA, specific aircraft communication, navigation and surveillance equipment must:

be certified for use in the NAT HLA
continue to maintain the required performance standards.

Along with these requirements, you must also demonstrate capability to operate and maintain airworthiness requirements for operations in the NAT HLA.

How to apply for NAT HLA

Complete an application form

Download and complete Approval for operations in North Atlantic High-level Airspace (NAT HLA) application form. If you can’t download or need help completing the form, contact us.
Submit your application
Follow the instructions on the form to submit your application.

Allow at least 90 days for us to process applications. You should submit your applications to us well before you need to use your navigation authorisation. This allows enough time for us to assess your application for:
- initial issue of a navigation authorisation to an operator
- entry into service of a new aircraft type in the operator’s fleet.
Submitting applications late may mean we can't issue your navigation authorisation in time for your planned activities.

Last updated:

27 Jul 2023