• RAAus is hoping the new Group G registration will bring more Cessna 150 and 152 models into the ASAO's training fleet. (Steve Hitchen)
    RAAus is hoping the new Group G registration will bring more Cessna 150 and 152 models into the ASAO's training fleet. (Steve Hitchen)
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Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) this week issued an updated Technical Manual, which includes registration and maintenance requirements for the new Group G aircraft.

Issued on Tuesday, RAAus Technical Manual Issue 4.3 also includes changes to pilot maintenance and maintenance approvals requirements.

"This manual contains a number of updates intended to resolve limitations of the previous Technical Manual as well as introducing the requirements for the registration and maintenance of Group G aircraft (lightweight aeroplanes) with an MTOW of 601-760kg," RAAus wrote in a member communique sent out yesterday.

"The revised manual also contains a number of administrative edits and changes for clarity and readability of the manual." 

Key changes in Issue 4.3 relating to aircraft owners, operators and maintainers are: 

  • the ability for RPC holders to conduct pilot maintenance on certain aircraft, including those used for hire or reward, subject to certain criteria
  • the ability for specially-qualified CASA LAMEs and CASA Part 11 authorised people to conduct certain maintenance tasks without the need to obtain an RAAus L2 maintenance authorisation, including instrument calibration, composite inspections and repairs, welding, and avionics work
  • the ability for RAAus to issue L4 amateur-built inspector approvals to non-CASA LAME licence holders
  • registration and maintenance requirements for RAAus Group G aircraft.

The new manual makes extensive use of the term "Lightweight Aeroplane" (LWA) to differentiate Group G aircraft rules from those applying to other RAAus aircraft groups. 

LWAs registered in Group G will be allocated either a 29- (amateur-built) or 34- (factory-built) registration prefix, with RAAus this week calling for expressions of interest for the first aircraft to be registered in the group.

"RAAus is conducting a phased implementation of the registration of Group G aircraft (lightweight aeroplanes) and the issue of Group G pilot certificates, ratings and approvals," RAAus says. "This process will commence with applications from RAAus Flight Training Schools who intend to operate Group G aircraft. 

"RAAus will be making contact with individuals who have already expressed interest in registering or operating a Group G aircraft by completing the RAAus Group G survey.

"By taking part in our survey, you will be eligible for priority access to applications when RAAus goes live."

CASA granted approval for Group G in January 2024, with registration expected to open on 25 March 2024. However, RAAus delayed registrations because they considered themselves to be not ready.

RAAus now expects to registered the first Group G aircraft in Q2 2025, by which time it will be 12 months since the first registrations were expected to happen.

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