Part 135 of CASR Australian air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes

Flight operation regulations have changed

The flight operations rules changed on 2 December 2021. See all information about transitioning.

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Flight operation regulations have changed

Rule status

Current

Part 135 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) covers the air transport rules for smaller aeroplanes.

The term ‘air transport’ replaces both charter, regular public transport (RPT) and air ambulance when conducted for hire or reward. It adds the transport of medical supplies or medical personnel for hire or reward as well.

If you are operating under these rules, you should also read Part 119 which deals with the general certification and management for air transport operations.

If you conduct other operations, such as rotorcraft air transport, you need to comply with other CASR flight operations parts.

Visit our flight operations transition section to find out more.

Who it affects

Part 135 of CASR applies to air transport operations in aeroplanes with:

  • a maximum operational passenger seating capacity of nine
  • a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 8,618 kg or less.

Subpart 121.Z applies if you are operating single-engine aeroplanes with a seating capacity of more than 9 seats. You must also comply with most of Part 135.

Some operators may be able to operate an aeroplane with up to 13 seats if they are already conducting these operations and meet the requirements.

All operators and pilots also need to comply with Part 91 of CASRGeneral operating and flight rules. Keep in mind Part 135 may add to or turn off some Part 91 requirements – either completely or partially.

Legislation

Legislative instruments

Legislative instruments apply to a broad range of people. These instruments include Manuals of Standards and exemptions to regulatory requirements.

Instruments related to this part will display in this space or you can view our list of legislative instruments.

7 legislative instruments available

Part 135 Manual of Standards
Commences:
Part 135, Subpart 121.Z and Part 91 of CASR Supplementary exemptions and directions instrument 2021
Commences:
CASA EX85/21
Flight operations regulations – SMS, HFP&NTS and T&C Systems – Supplementary exemptions and directions instrument 2021
Commences:
CASA EX87/21
Cockpit voice recorders - Instrument 2007
Commences:
CAO 103.20
Fatigue management
Commences:
CAO 48.1
Air Transport Operations (Enhanced Aircraft Equipment Requirements)
Commences:
CASA EX115/23
Training and Checking (CASR Part 135 and Subpart 121.Z)
Commences:
CASA 93/21
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Guidance material

Advisory material provides advice and guidance to explain particular regulatory requirements of a CASR Part. Guidance material relating to this part will appear in this space or you can view all our guidance material.

12 guidance material available

Part 135 air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes AMC-GM

Updated:

Acceptable means of compliance and guidance material (AMC-GMs) for Part 135 Air transport operations - smaller aeroplanes.

DOWNLOAD Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC-GM) - Part 135 (PDF, 1.7 MB)
Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, Flight ops - General resource Version: 2.4

AC 1-04 - Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness

Updated:

This AC provides guidance for operators relating to their management of the continuing airworthiness, and maintenance, of aircraft being used for their operations.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-04 Registered operator responsibilities for continuing airworthiness (PDF, 326.02 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 1-02 - Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-02 provides information to the aviation industry, detailing the requirements to have and maintain an exposition or operations manual to meet the regulatory requirements of CASR and the MOS.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-02 Guide to the development of expositions and operations manuals (PDF, 922.78 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 3.3

Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - Emergency locator transmitters

Updated:

This AC provides guidance regarding the requirements for registration and use of emergency location transmitters for operations that fall under Parts 91, 121, 133, and 135 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-part AC 91-30, AC 121-12, AC 133-03 and AC 135-14 - emergency locator transmitters (PDF, 320.55 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

AC 1-03 - Transitioning to the flight operations regulations

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 1-03 provides advice on CASR regulations pertaining the flight operations. They include Parts 91, 119, 121,133, 135 and 138 of CASR, specifically for those transitioning to these regulations on 2 December 2021.

DOWNLOAD AC 1-03 Transitioning to the flight operations regulations (PDF, 2.67 MB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 4.4

Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 - Carry-on baggage

Updated:

Advisory Circular Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 provides guidance regarding the requirements for carry-on baggage

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-08, AC 133-08 and AC 135-06 Carry-on baggage (PDF, 363.14 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.0

Multi-Part AC 121-05, AC 133-04 and AC 135-08 - Passenger, crew and baggage weights

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-05, AC 133-04 and AC 135-08 describes acceptable methods for calculating passenger, crew and checked baggage weights for an Australian air transport operator.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-05, AC 133-04 and AC 135-08 Passenger, crew and baggage weights (PDF, 566.88 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

Multi-Part AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 - Carriage of special category passenger

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for the carriage of special categories of passengers (SCPs) for operations that fall under Parts 91, 133, 135 and 121 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-09, AC 133-06 and AC 135-10 Carriage of special categories passenger (PDF, 431.4 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.0

Multi-Part AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 - Passengers seated in emergency exit row seats

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 provides guidance regarding the requirements for assigning passengers to seats in an emergency exit row for operations that fall under Parts 133, 135 and 121 of CASR.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 121-10, AC 133-07 and AC 135-11 Passengers seated in emergency exit row seats (PDF, 341.57 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.0

CAAP 48-01 - Fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​

Updated:

CAAP 48-01 provides guidance on meeting the AOC holder and flight crew member (FCM) obligations in relation to fatigue risk management, required under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 Instrument 2019.

DOWNLOAD CAAP 48-01 fatigue management for flight crew members​​​​​ (PDF, 1.8 MB)
Civil Aviation Advisory Publication Version: 3.3

Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 - Passenger safety information

Updated:

Multi-Part Advisory Circular AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 provides guidance regarding the requirements for safety briefing cards and passenger safety briefings, instructions and demonstrations for operations.

DOWNLOAD Multi-Part AC 91-19, AC 121-04, AC 133-10, AC 135-12 and AC 138-10 Passenger safety information (PDF, 601.74 KB)
Advisory Circular Version: 1.1

AC 135-13 - Prescribed single-engine aeroplanes

Updated:

Advisory Circular AC 135-13 provides guidance on compliance with the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Part 135 Manual of Standards (MOS) relating to the operation of PSEA.

DOWNLOAD AC 135-13 Prescribed single-engine aeroplanes (PDF, 423.55 KB)
Advisory Circular, Flight ops - General resource Version: 1.0
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Supporting resources

Supporting resources related to this part will appear in this space. These are used in conjunction to support the formal guidance material listed above.

5 supporting resources available

Part 135 of CASR Key operational changes

This document is intended to assist persons who will conduct air transport operations under Part 135 or Subpart 121.Z of CASR to prioritise their actions to transition to the new flight operations regulations.

Training and checking determinations plain English

The purpose of this document is to present and summarise the key elements of these determinations in plainer English, as the legal instruments themselves are relatively lengthy, repetitive and complex.

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams

Impact of new flight operations regulations on flight crew licencing exams. The introduction of the new flight operations regulations on 2 December 2021 will mean changes to the various flight crew licensing (FCL) theory exams.

CASR flight operations sample exposition / operations manual

This Guide assists operators using the associated CASR Flight Operations Sample Exposition / Operations Manual template in Word format. The contents in this Guide, the associated Word, and MAAT templates has been structured in a logical order and provides clear references to the legislative requirements.

FOR Transition – Training and Checking System

Use this form to submit, and apply for an approval of, the Training and Checking System section of an exposition or operations manual as part of the transition to Parts 119, 121, 133, 135, and 138 of the CASR.

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Related rules and publications

Last updated date
Updated:
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//rules/regulatory-framework/casr/part-135-casr-australian-air-transport-operations-smaller-aeroplanes
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