The changes expand eligibility for foreign non‑civilian aircraft to be type certified in the restricted category for special purpose operations, including aerial firefighting.
The amendments allow CASA to assess aircraft based on engineering evidence, operational history and safety performance. Previously, eligibility was limited to aircraft operated by specific foreign armed forces.
The amendments also update Part 21 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) and its associated Manual of Standards (MOS) to provide approval pathways for certain equipment used in human external cargo operations. This includes:
- full-body harnesses
- rescue loops
- other rescue devices that meet recognised international standards.
The changes provide greater certainty about how operators can demonstrate compliance for equipment used in medical transport, search and rescue, and other aerial work operations.
