Part 21 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026

law://au/li/2026/f2026l01367@2026-11-12

Contents

I, PHILIPPA JILLIAN SPENCE, Director of Aviation Safety, on behalf of CASA, make this instrument under regulation 21.010D of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.[Signed P. Spence]Pip SpenceDirector of Aviation Safety7 October 2026Part 21 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026

1 Name #

This instrument is the Part 21 Manual of Standards Amendment Instrument 2026.

2 Commencement #

This instrument commences on the day after registration.

3 Amendment of the Part 21 Manual of Standards #

Schedule 1 amends the Part 21 Manual of Standards Instrument 2016.Schedule 1 Amendments

[1] Section 1.10 #

insertaccredited conformity assessment body means a conformity assessment body that is accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17000.aeronautical data, for the purposes of Part 2, includes the following:(a) instructions for continued airworthiness;(b) the aircraft manufacturer’s maintenance manuals, including airworthiness limitations sections;(c) the pilot operating handbook (however described);(d) the flight manual (however described);(e) any other document that describes the operating limitations of the aircraft.certified, in relation to an appliance, means an accredited conformity assessment body has determined that the appliance manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to produce the appliance such that it complies with the requirements of a relevant technical standard.Class D external load has the meaning given by the Part 138 MOS.conformity assessment body means an organisation that determines whether an appliance complies with the requirements of a relevant technical standard.CS-VLR (EASA) means the Certification Specifications for Very Light Rotorcraft published by EASA and as in force from time to time.Declaration of Conformity, in relation to an appliance, means a document issued by the appliance manufacturer that declares that the appliance complies with the applicable European Standards and EU directives.European Standard means a technical specification that sets out consensus standards for appliances, including design, manufacturing, test and acceptance criteria, that is developed by an organisation, recognised by the European Union, that develops standards.foreign non-civilian aircraft means an aircraft that was manufactured in accordance with the requirements of, and accepted for use by, the government, or a government agency (however described) of a foreign country, including, for example, its defence forces, police, paramilitary police, law enforcement bodies, intelligence services, coastguard, border patrol services or customs service.Note In some foreign countries these aircraft may be called ex-military aircraft, surplus aircraft, or public aircraft.human external cargo operation means any of the following operations, including training for such operations:(a) an external load operation conducted during a medical transport operation under Part 133 of CASR that involves winching a person;(b) a Class D external load operation under Part 138 of CASR.ISO/IEC 17000 means the international standard titled ISO/IEC 17000:2020 Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles published by the International Organization for Standardization and as in force from time to time.labelled, in relation to an appliance, means:(a) a label, symbol or other identifying mark of an accredited conformity assessment body has been attached to the appliance; and(b) the label indicates compliance with the relevant technical standard.listed, in relation to an appliance, means a method used by an accredited conformity assessment body to verify that the appliance has been certified.Example Some accredited conformity assessment bodies publish lists of certified appliances on an internet site.rappelling has the meaning given by section 1.04 of the Part 138 MOS.relevant technical standard, in relation to an appliance, means a technical standard, approved by a national or international standards body, that applies to the appliance and is mentioned in any of the following:(a) the document titled NFPA 2500 Standard for Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents and Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, published in 2022 by the National Fire Protection Association (USA) and as in force from time to time;(b) a European Standard that relates to personal protective equipment against falls from a height and as in force from time to time;(c) an advisory circular issued by CASA, as in force from time to time.search and rescue operation has the meaning given by section 1.07 of the Part 138 MOS.special purpose operations has the meaning given by subregulation 21.025 (2) of CASR.type examination certificate means a document issued by an accredited conformity assessment body, certifying that an appliance design has undergone thorough type examination, testing and assessment and meets the requirements of the relevant European Standard and EU Directives.

[2] Part 2 #

substitutePart 2 — Type certificates and type acceptance certificates

Division 1 — Prescribed airworthiness standards and special purpose operations #

2.01 Prescribed airworthiness standards #

(1) For the purposes of regulation 21.017 of CASR, the following airworthiness standards are prescribed, with the changes provided under this section:(a) CS-LSA (EASA);(b) CS-VLR (EASA);(the prescribed Standards).(2) For this section, a reference in the prescribed Standards to the Agency is taken to be a reference to CASA.(3) For this section, the prescribed Standards are taken to meet the airworthiness standard for a type certificate in the normal category.(4) For the application of the prescribed Standards under this section:(a) an approval (however described) mentioned in the prescribed Standards may be given by CASA; and(b) CASA may suspend or cancel an approval given under paragraph (a) if it is necessary in the interests of aviation safety; and(c) an approval (however described) given by or for EASA under the prescribed Standards is taken to have been given by CASA under Subpart 21.B of CASR; and(d) for Subpart 21.B of CASR, CASA may suspend or cancel an approval given by or for EASA under the prescribed Standards, as if it had been given by CASA, if it is necessary in the interests of aviation safety.

2.02 Special purpose operations #

For the purposes of paragraph 21.025(2)(k) of CASR, an operation that is similar to one or more of the special purpose operations set out in subregulation 21.025(2) of CASR is prescribed.

Division 2 — Requirements for Defence Force and foreign non-civilian aircraft for a restricted category type certificate #

2.03 Interpretation #

In this Division:applicant means a person who applies for a restricted type certificate in relation to a Defence Force or foreign non-civilian aircraft.restricted type certificate, in relation to a Defence Force or foreign non-civilian aircraft, means a type certificate in the restricted category for one or more special purpose operations.

2.04 Application #

(1) This Division applies in relation to:(a) an applicant; and(b) an aircraft in respect of which an applicant applies for a restricted type certificate.(2) The requirements set out in this Division are prescribed for the purposes of subparagraph 21.025 (1) (b) (ii) of CASR.(3) Part 11 of CASR applies in relation to an application by an applicant under this Division.

2.05 Requirements — Defence Force and foreign non-civilian aircraft #

(1) Subject to this section, the prescribed requirements for a Defence Force or foreign non-civilian aircraft are that the aircraft has each of the following:(a) design data that identifies and underpins the airworthiness limitations, however described, of the aircraft;(b) a documented and justified aircraft configuration;(c) critical parts that are accountable and traceable to the aircraft manufacturer or another reliable source;Note Critical part is defined in the CASR Dictionary.(d) applicable aeronautical data;Note Aeronautical data is defined in section 1.10.(e) a detailed aircraft operational service history since manufacture;(f) a detailed aircraft maintenance history since manufacture;(g) a proposed maintenance program that considers the aircraft’s history and its intended special purpose operation.(2) CASA may impose conditions on a restricted type certificate that limit the use of a Defence Force or foreign non-civilian aircraft.(3) In addition to anything required under Part 11 of CASR, an applicant must provide CASA with sufficient authenticated and reliable designs, documents, records, data and information, however described, in relation to the matters mentioned in subsection (1) for CASA to be satisfied that:(a) the operation of the aircraft in the intended special purpose operations, subject to any conditions, would not be likely to have an adverse effect on the safety of air navigation; and(b) subject to any conditions, the aircraft could reasonably be expected to be safe for the special purpose operation for which the type certificate would be issued.Note Guidance on the nature and source of appropriate designs, documents, records, data and information for this section is contained in Advisory Circular 21-06, as available from time to time.(4) A Defence Force aircraft is taken to meet the requirements of subsection (1) if the aircraft:(a) meets such alternative airworthiness criteria that CASA is satisfied will provide an equivalent level of safety to the requirements in subsection (1); or(b) is the subject of an agreement (however described) between CASA and the Defence Force under which CASA has accepted the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft’s engines, propellers, materials, parts or appliances (as the case may be).(5) The designs, documents, records, data and information referred to in subsection (3) must be in English.

[3] Part 8, after section 8.1 #

insert

8.2 Savings provision — light sport aircraft standards for design, performance or continuing airworthiness #

(1) This section applies in respect of a standard for the design, performance or continuing airworthiness of a light sport aircraft that, as at 15 July 2026, was:(a) issued by the ASTM International; and(b) accepted by the FAA.(2) For the purposes of the definition of LSA standards in paragraph 21.172 (b) of CASR, a standard mentioned in subsection (1) remains in force as a prescribed standard.

[4] Part 11 #

substitutePart 11 — Approval of materials, parts, processes and appliances

11.1 Manner of approval — materials, parts, processes and appliances #

For the purposes of paragraph 21.305 (da) of CASR, a material, part, process, or appliance may be approved by being approved in the Part 21 Manual of Standards.Note Paragraph 21.305 (da) of CASR provides that whenever a material, part, process, or appliance is required to be approved under Part 21 of CASR, it may be approved in a manner prescribed by the Part 21 Manual of Standards. This Part of the Part 21 Manual of Standards approves materials, parts, processes and appliances that are required to be approved under Part 21 of CASR.

11.2 Approval — medical transport and search and rescue operations #

(1) A certified appliance mentioned in subsection (2) is approved for the purposes of:(a) the operation of a rotorcraft for a medical transport operation; or(b) a search and rescue operation.(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the following types of certified appliances, as defined in the relevant technical standard, are approved:(a) victim extrication device;(b) life safety harness or full body harness;(c) rescue harness and rescue loop;(d) litter;(e) auxiliary equipment;(f) carabiner;(g) lanyard;(h) low stretch life safety rope.(3) For the purposes of paragraph 21.305 (da) of CASR, CASA may approve a certified appliance for the purposes mentioned in subsection (1) by approving the appliance in an advisory circular issued by CASA.(4) An approval under this section is subject to the conditions set out in section 11.4.

11.3 Approval — rappelling operations #

(1) The following types of certified appliances, as defined in the relevant technical standard, are approved for the purposes of a Class D external load aerial work operation that involves rappelling:(a) belay device;(b) descent control device;(c) pulley;(d) carabiner;(e) low stretch life safety rope.(2) For the purposes of paragraph 21.305 (da) of CASR, CASA may approve an appliance for the purposes of a Class D external load aerial work operation that involves rappelling by approving the appliance in an advisory circular issued by CASA.(3) An approval under this section is subject to the conditions set out in section 11.4.

11.4 Conditions on approval of certified appliances for human external cargo operations #

(1) An operator who proposes to equip a certified appliance on an aircraft must ensure that the selection of the appliance for an operation, including determining its fitness for purpose, is done in accordance with the operator’s risk assessment procedures.Note 1 Risk assessments must be conducted in accordance with regulation 119.190 of CASR for Australian air transport operations and in accordance with regulation 138.370 of CASR for aerial work operations.Note 2 An approval under this Part is an approval under Part 21 for the appliance to function within its intended purpose. How the equipment is used, in what capacity and under what conditions is the subject of a separate approval for particular kinds of operation under Part 133 or Part 138 of CASR.(2) An operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft for a human external cargo operation must ensure that the aircraft flight manual for the aircraft contains procedures (including limitations) for conducting human external cargo operations.(3) An operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft must ensure that detailed procedures (including limitations) for the use of the appliance are set out in the operator’s exposition or operations manual.(4) In the case of a certified appliance that is certified in respect of a European Standard, an operator must not equip the appliance on an aircraft unless the operator has a copy of:(a) a valid type examination certificate for the appliance; and(b) a Declaration of Conformity for the appliance.(5) The approval of an appliance under section 11.2 or 11.3 ceases to be in force if:(a) the appliance ceases to be listed; or(b) the type examination certificate for the appliance is withdrawn or cancelled due to safety concerns.(6) An operator must ensure that any certified appliance that is equipped on an aircraft is labelled at all times:(a) in a manner that is legible; and(b) in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s original labelling requirements.(7) An operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft must ensure that the appliance is retired from use in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.(8) If the manufacturer of a certified appliance has not provided a retirement time in respect of the appliance, an operator who equips the appliance on an aircraft must establish inspection procedures to verify the ongoing function of the appliance, including criteria for when the appliance must be retired from use.(9) An operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft must ensure that the appliance is maintained and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.(10) An operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft must retain maintenance schedules and associated records and make them available for inspection by CASA on request.(11) If an operator who equips a certified appliance on an aircraft becomes aware of a major defect in the appliance, the operator must, within 2 days after becoming aware of the defect, report the defect to the manufacturer and CASA.

[5] Section 13.2, subsection (1), the Table, after item 8 #

insert9 | Rescue baskets, cages and enclosures for carrying personnel external to a rotorcraft | Schedule 29ATSO-C1009 — Rescue baskets, cages and enclosures for carrying personnel external to a rotorcraft

[6] After Schedule 28 #

insertSchedule 29 ATSO C1009 — Rescue baskets, cages and enclosures for carrying personnel external to a rotorcraft(subsection 13.2 (1), table, item 9)

Division 1 — Preliminary #

1 Application #

This Schedule applies to an appliance, used as part of a personnel-carrying device system for the carriage of persons external to a rotorcraft, manufactured by an article manufacturer.

2 Definitions #

In this Schedule:ANSI/ASSP Z359.12 means the American standard ANSI/ASSP Z359.12-2019: Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, published by the American Society of Safety Professionals and as in force from time to time.AS/NZS 1891.1:2020 means Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1891.1:2020 - Personal equipment for work at height – Part 1: Manufacturing requirements for full body combination and lower body harnesses, as in force from time to time.attachment point means the point on the rigid structure of a PCDS for connecting to a lifting bridle or similar device.ASTM F2821-15(2020) means the standard ASTM International – ASTM F2821-15(2020): Standard Test Methods for Basket Type Rescue Litters, published by ASTM International, as in force from time to time.basket type litter, in relation to a PCDS, means a conveyance (including a stretcher) for the sick or injured, usually consisting of a tubular metal frame enclosing a moulded plastic or wire shell.EASA CS-25 means the EASA standard Certification Specifications for Large Aeroplanes CS-25, as in force from time to time.human external cargo means a person that is carried external to a rotorcraft during a human external cargo operation.bridle means a manufactured or improvised system that attaches the rigid structure of a PCDS to the raising or lowering system.personnel-carrying device system, or PCDS, means a device or system that has the structural capability and features needed to safely transport human external cargo, including but not limited to:(a) life safety harnesses; and(b) rigid baskets or cages, attached to a hoist or cargo hook or mounted to the rotorcraft airframe.product label means a label or marking affixed to a product by the manufacturer that provides general information, warnings, instructions for care, maintenance, and other information.relevant welding testing standard means a standard that is similar or equivalent to the standard ISO 24394:2023 Welding for aerospace applications — Qualification test for welders and welding operators — Fusion welding of metallic components, as in force from time to time.restraint hardware means any component of the restraint system of a PCDS that is not part of the webbing.soft enclosure, in relation to a PCDS, means a PCDS that uses textiles to fully envelope or contain human external cargo with the following features:(a) load-bearing textile material;(b) the cargo is restrained using the structure of the PCDS or internal restraint straps;(c) the system includes, but is not limited to, rescue vests and valise style bags for rescue of infants.

Division 2 — Minimum performance standards – Rigid structures #

3 Design requirements #

(1) Rigid structures of a PCDS must not be designed or constructed in a manner that allows for hazardous or unreliable features.Example Single weld failures leading to structural failure.(2) If the rigid structure of a PCDS is designed to split apart, it must have an integral connection system.(3) The rigid structure of a PCDS that is designed for use in water retrievals must provide enough buoyancy that the mouth and nose of a completely relaxed person that is human external cargo are kept above the water line.

4 Materials — general #

(1) All materials selected for the design of a PCDS must be entirely suitable for the purpose intended, including giving due consideration to strength, durability and all possible environmental conditions that may be encountered.(2) Metallic parts of a PCDS must be made of corrosion resistant material, or suitability protected against corrosion.(3) All metals used in a PCDS must conform to the chemical requirements of the applicable specifications for the grade(s) selected.(4) All materials used in a PCDS must be finished smooth, with no voids, discontinuities, damage or features that may affect the integrity of the rigid structure.

5 Frame — welded #

(1) All joints and intersections of the frame, ribs and rim of the PCDS must be welded by competent persons qualified to a relevant welding testing standard.(2) The welds mentioned in subclause (1) must, upon visual inspection:(a) not exhibit any cracks or voids; and(b) exhibit complete fusion between the weld layers and base metal.(3) All projections, loose weld spatter or other welding defects on a PCDS that may cause injury to a person using the PCDS must be removed.(4) After the welding of a PCDS, the rigid structure must be cleaned by an appropriate mechanical or chemical process.

6 Rigidity #

The frame of a PCDS must not show detrimental deformation of the structure that would interfere with its safe operation, when tested in accordance with the procedures set out in clause 10.

7 Workmanship #

A finished appliance must be free from sharp or rough edges and any defects that may impair the serviceability of the appliance.

Division 3 — Minimum performance standards – Textile enclosures and restraints #

8 Webbing and thread #

(1) All components of a PCDS that are in contact with the body of a person must be made from webbing, or material that is equivalent to webbing in respect of its strength, durability and load transfer characteristics.(2) All webbing and thread used to enclose or restrain human external cargo must be considered as load-bearing material.(3) Webbing and thread must comply with section 2.2 of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020.(4) Threads used for sewing parts of a PCDS must be physically compatible with the webbing material and should be manufactured from high-tenacity synthetic fibre, with a melting point and chemical resistance that is equivalent to, or superior to, the material being sewn.(5) The thread used for sewing parts of a PCDS must be of a contrasting shade to facilitate visual inspection.(6) Holes, rivets or eyelets must not be used in webbing for a PCDS.

9 Restraint hardware #

(1) All restraint hardware must be as follows:(a) designed and tested to meet the applicable strength requirements for their application as specified in subsections 2.3.3 to 2.3.5 of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020 (as applicable);(b) free from any material or manufacturing defects;(c) designed to minimise damage to webbing;(d) protected from corrosion in accordance with subsection 2.3.2 of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020.(2) Buckles or similar devices must:(a) require a dual action to open, including, but not limited to, a simultaneous depressing by use of the thumb and index finger; and(b) not be susceptible to inadvertent release or to be opened through a single action.(3) Any “D” ring or “O” ring used as part of the restraint hardware must have a minimum capacity of 22 kN.(4) Products being used to perform the same function as a “D” ring or “O” ring, manufactured from rigid material other than metal, must meet the requirements specified in subsections 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 2.3.4 of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020.

Division 4 — Minimum performance standards – general #

10 Testing(1) A basket type litter must be tested in accordance with ASTM F2821-15(2020).(2) A basket type litter must satisfy the requirements under ASTM F2821-15(2020) for horizontal lift for structural failure under load and permanent deformation of the top rail or the main structural elements.(3) A basket type litter must be tested in all functional orientations of the litter considering its intended use.Example If a litter provides both horizontal and vertical lifting points, the litter must be tested in respect of both.(4) Rigid structures other than basket type litters must be tested in a manner that is acceptable to CASA.(5) A test under subclause (4) must allow for the determination of satisfactory performance of the following:(a) the structure was tested to an ultimate load that has a factor of safety of 7 for the total working load limit;(b) the structure must not deform to an extent that could impinge upon an occupant when positioned within the structure.(6) Appliances that utilise textiles in the load path must be tested in a manner that is acceptable to CASA.(7) A test under subclause (6) must allow for the determination of satisfactory performance of the following:(a) the appliance was tested to an ultimate load with a factor of safety of 14 for the total working load limit;(b) for single occupant designs, a dynamic test must be undertaken that considers restraint of the occupant and a head-up orientation when at rest following a drop or fall.(8) Webbing for a PCDS must be tested in accordance with subsection 2.2.3 of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020.(9) Load-bearing webbing for a PCDS must be tested in accordance with Appendix A of AS/NZS 1891.1:2020 for resistance to degradation by either artificial light or daylight.(10) A test under subclause (9) must allow for the determination of satisfactory performance of the requirement that minimum breaking strength of the 3 exposed samples must be at least 70 % of the mean of the breaking strength of the 3 unexposed samples.(11) “D” rings and “O” rings must be tested in accordance with ANSI/ASSP Z359.12.11 StabilityAn appliance design must not facilitate unstable conditions such as spinning, inversion or other movements of the appliance that are hazardous to the occupant or aircraft during a human external cargo operation.12 Fatigue(1) The rigid structure of a PCDS must be reviewed on a component-by-component basis to determine which, if any, components are fatigue critical.(2) The rigid structure and all relevant components of a PCDS must be analysed or tested to ensure that their fatigue life limits are properly determined.(3) The fatigue life limits must be included in the user information required to be provided under clause 15.(4) The required safety factor, in relation to the fatigue requirements for textiles, may be reduced from 14 to 10 in circumstances where the working load limit of the textile is supplemented by an earlier retirement life for the textile.

13 Flammability #

All textiles used in a PCDS must have flammability properties that are consistent with the requirement, under Part I of Appendix F of EASA CS-25, that materials must not have an average burn rate greater than 64 mm per minute when tested horizontally in accordance with the applicable portions of Appendix F of EASA CS-25.14 Labelling(1) Each appliance used in a PCDS must have a product label stamped, engraved, or otherwise permanently marked with the following information about the appliance:(a) the manufacturer’s name, trade name or trademark;(b) the country of manufacture;(c) the serial number;(d) the model and type/identification;(e) the month and year of manufacture.(2) All letters used in a label must be at least 2 mm high.(3) In the case of appliances with multiple labels, all label pieces comprising the entire product label must be located adjacent to each other.Note Facility may be provided for user marking of an “in service” date.(4) Replaceable items in a PCDS, such as restraint belt assemblies, must be clearly and permanently labelled with the following information about the item:(a) the manufacturer’s name, trade name or trademark;(b) the model and type/identification.(5) Where replaceable parts of a PCDS, such as belts, are not serialised, they must be replaced in batches.(6) Labels under this clause must be legible and readable, enabling the user to clearly distinguish individual letters or characters from each other.(7) Labels under this clause must be designed to be clearly legible throughout the life of the product under normal usage conditions.15 User information(1) The manufacturer of an appliance used in a PCDS must provide the purchaser with information that addresses the following:(a) airworthiness limitations, such as retirement lives or mandatory inspections;(b) operating instructions for the appliance;(c) information regarding aircraft compatibility considerations;(d) periodic inspections of the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s inspection procedure;(e) removal of the appliance from service if it does not pass inspection or if there is any doubt about the safety or serviceability of the appliance;(f) in the case of metal component that may be subject to corrosion or deterioration, maintenance of the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions;(g) returning the appliance to the manufacturer or to a qualified inspection person or centre if the equipment is dropped or impact-loaded;(h) repairing the appliance only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.(2) The manufacturer of the appliance must provide the purchaser with a sample of suggested records to be maintained by the purchaser or user of the appliance and a list of items that the records need to contain.

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