This subject has been covered well before on this forum. It seems the rules are not always as clear as one might expect. How many times have you spoken to one CASA rep about something only to bbe told different by another? Then interpretation steps in. I think thier was a change to the CAO on this matter in 2011 due to interpretation problems that seem to have achieved little. Here is a past post that is somewhat interesting and gives another's interpretation on the subject...
The requirements for entry into controlled airspace are clearly defined in CAO 95.55. A copy of which is enclosed in your RA-Aus technical manual that you should have received when you paid your membership.
- You don't need a "certified" engine. Only probably 5%? (if that -near impossible to easily find out)of RA-Aus aircraft have certified engines. You need an "approved" engine, meaning a 4 stroke and twin ignition model. Most new RA-Aus aircraft don't have certified engines these days.
- A Certified airframe is not a requirement. Once the aircraft has flown off it's initial 25 hours, it meets the requirements for entry into controlled airspace. 95.55 does not differentiate between homebuilt and certified aircraft. The same goes for home-built GA experimental aircraft, such as a Jabiru for example. Don't get 95.55 confused with your aircraft's registration as it applies to 24 rego's as well. The Skyfox Gazelle is also a certified factory built aircraft with a rego starting with 24-. This is because the Gazelle is / was in a higher weight category than the LSA55 Jabiru's as it was 520 kg's. The Skyfox taildragger has a 55- rego because it is some 70kg's lighter than the Gazelle sistership and is in the same weight category as the LSA55 Jabiru.
- Any registration or RA-Aus (less obvious exceptions such as 32- weight shift) qualifies as long as the other requirements are met, such as radio, transponder, PPL and approved engine. Remember 55 series are not the only "certified" aircraft, as 24 are too for example.
- Transponders are only required for operation in Class "C" airspace. GAAP airports do not require a transponder to be in use so you could fly your Jabiru from Point Cook into Moorabbin without a transponder. For the purposes of this discussion, GAAP is controlled airspace, however a transponder is not a requirement.
Don't upset the CT, Sportstar and Tecnam owners out there who fly into CTA in their 24 registered machines!
Oh and one almost last thing! If you fly GA and you do your review in a Jab it doesn't necessarily count for an AFR! A GA AFR (aeroplane flight review) must go for a minimum of one hour and include controlled airspace if the reviewee' has an unrestricted PPL(A). You can do your AFR in the aircraft (either rego) in which you have done the most flying in, in the previous 90 day period. (I'm not 100% sure on the 90 days, but that's close enough). If you have an unrestricted PPL(A), you'll need to transit and possibly land in class C to successfully complete your AFR in your RA-Aus registered aircraft.
Finally, for the record for anyone that asks, Jabiru / RA-Aus time DOES count towards an ATPL (Air Transport Pilot's Licence) however only to a maximum of 750 hours. The remaining hours must be flown in a recognised "registered" aircraft, such as a GA one or even a glider!
I hope this clarifies things. Clarification on this is important as this topic always seems to come up in forums of this type. Take this post back to Kris next time you see him and see what he says!
Clem.
ClemBrown
Interesting information Clem, on doing an AFR in an RA-Aus registered aircraft. Do you have information on required qualifications of the testing officer? I ask the question because I've been informed by a CASA ATO that he cannot act as PIC in my RA-Aus registered aircraft, which he must be able to do to perform the job. I stress that the only difference my aircraft has over a similar GA registered one is that it has registration numbers rather than letters.
I have posed this dilema to CASA ops & 6 months has gone by with no formal response, even though I have informed them that my principle reason for wanting the option is to be able to transit Controlled Airspace when operationally desirable due Wx; ie improved safety.
Also, I've not done a AFR for several years, when did it become prescriptive as to length of flight etc; content used to be at the discretion of the instructor.
RA-Aus aircraft in controlled Airspace
in Governing Bodies
Posted
I have posed this dilema to CASA ops & 6 months has gone by with no formal response, even though I have informed them that my principle reason for wanting the option is to be able to transit Controlled Airspace when operationally desirable due Wx; ie improved safety.
Also, I've not done a AFR for several years, when did it become prescriptive as to length of flight etc; content used to be at the discretion of the instructor.
Thanks,
Andy Girault