CASA has issued an exemption that will make it easier for flying schools to add new aircraft types to their fleets.
Exemption 126/15 means that Part 141 and 142 flying schools will no longer have to seek CASA approval to add new aircraft, unless the aircraft is a "significant" change to the school's existing fleet.
The need for CASA approval will now be triggered if the new type meets any of the following criteria:
- the aircraft requires a type rating
- the type is a variant of a type already the school already uses, but requires differences training
- the aircraft is covered by a Class Rating and is the first aircraft of that class the school has used for training
- the aircraft is pressurised
- the aircraft has a turbine engine.
Flying schools will still have to update their Exposition or Operations Manual when new types are added, regardless of whether or not CASA approval is needed.
According to CASA, the exemption was issued to resolve an unintended consequence relating to the definition of kinds of aircraft as it applied to Parts 141 and 142 operators.
The explanation and exemption are on the CASA website.