Aircraft Categories and Classes

Administrational Part 61 Definitions Each of the following is a category of aircraft: (a) aeroplane; (b) helicopter; (c) powered-lift aircraft; (d) gyroplane; (e) airship. (1) Each of the following is a class of aircraft: (a) single-engine aeroplane; (b) multi-engine aeroplane; (c) single-engine helicopter; (ca) powered-lift aircraft; (d) single-engine gyroplane; (e) airship (2) For this Part, the single-engine aeroplane class includes: (a) multi-engine centre-line thrust aeroplanes; and (b) multi-engine aeroplanes that are prescribed by a legislative instrument under regulation 61.050 (Prescription of multi-engine aeroplanes included in single-engine class). Part 61 Manual of Standards (1) For paragraph 98(5A)(a) of the Act, CASA may issue a Manual of Standards for this Part that sets out matters relating to flight crew licences. (2) In particular, the manual of standards may set out standards for the following: (a) approvals under regulation 61.040; (b) aeronautical and other knowledge required by this Part for the grant of a licence, rating or endorsement; (c) flight training; (d) other training and development requirements; (e) flight tests; (f) aviation and general English language proficiency; (g) general operating competencies for: (i) aircraft of a particular class or type; and (ii) activities authorised by operational ratings and endorsements; (h) competency in the use of an airborne collision avoidance system; (i) flight reviews; (k) instrument proficiency checks; (l) night vision imaging system proficiency checks; (m) aerial application proficiency checks; (n) instructor proficiency checks; (o) competencies for glider pilot licences. Validity of an Instrument Proficiency Check An instrument proficiency check is valid: • From the period the holder passes the flight test to the end of the 12th month after the month in which the holder passes the flight test. or • For the period during which the holder is successfully participating in an operator’s training and checking system for an IFR operation in the relevant aircraft. If the holder successfully completes an instrument proficiency check for the relevant aircraft within 3 months before the validity of the existing check expires, then the instrument proficiency check is valid to the end of the 12th month after the validity of the existing check. Privileges and Limitations of an Instrument Rating Subject to Subpart 61.E and regulations 61.860 to 61.880, the holder of an instrument rating is authorised to pilot an aircraft: (a) under the IFR; or (b) at night under the VFR. The holder of an instrument rating is authorised to: • conduct an instrument approach only if the aircraft is equipped for that kind of operation; • pilot an aircraft in a single-pilot operation under the IFR only if, at some time in the past, the holder has passed an instrument rating flight test in a single-pilot aircraft or has completed an instrument proficiency check in a single-pilot aircraft; • conduct a circling approach under the IFR only if: o the holder passed the instrument rating flight test within the previous 12 months and that flight test included a circling approach; or o the holder’s most recent instrument proficiency check (or operator’s proficiency check that covers IFR operations and is conducted by a flight examiner who holds an instrument rating flight test endorsement) included a circling approach; or o the holder is successfully participating in an operator’s training and checking system for an operation that includes circling approaches; • conduct an instrument approach only if the holder has completed training in the conduct of that instrument approach and has demonstrated competence to CASA or an examiner. Recent Experience Requirements Requirement (in an aircraft or approved flight simulation training device) To fly under the IFR To pilot an aircraft of a particular category Must have conducted at least three instrument approach operations within the previous 90 days Must have conducted at least one instrument approach operation in an aircraft of the same category (refer to Definitions) within the previous 90 days 2D approach Must have conducted at least one 2D instrument approach within the previous 90 days 3D approach Must have conducted at least one 3D instrument approach within the previous 90 days Azimuth guidance Must have conducted at least one 2D instrument approach using azimuth guidance within the previous 90 days Course deviation indicator Must have conducted at least one instrument approach using a CDI within the previous 90 days All of the above recent experience requirements are considered to be met if the holder: • the holder has successfully completed an operator proficiency check that covers IFR operations within the previous 3 months; or • the holder is successfully participating in an operator’s training and checking system for an IFR operation.