Australian aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has made it easier for charter operators to upgrade their fleets by removing the need for operators to make an application when they add new single-engine piston-powered aircraft.
Operators will no longer need to apply to CASA to change their air operator's certificate if the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight below 5,700kg (12,550lb), unless the aircraft is equipped for floatplane operations. The move makes it quicker and simpler for small charter operators to add new aircraft, without paying fees to vary their air operator's certificate, says CASA.
The move follows prolonged criticism of the bureaucracy involved in upgrading fleets at a time when the country's GA single-engine fleet has an average age of 30 years.
Source: Flight International
