SAFA Skysailor Magazine

33 March | April 2022 SKY SAILOR commenced to bring out the ‘new’ 95 series CAOs by 2 December. These CAOs are intended as being interim and temporary in nature, to be repealed on 02/12/2022 when CASR Part 103 MOS is made. At least, that’s the plan. Why is this important to us? What’s different? You would think that the new CAOs would be essentially just the same as the old ones, but with the bits needed to make them work with the new regulatory structure – change references to old regulations over to the new regulation references. However, there are other changes that have been dropped on us. The first sections contain details on the CAOs themselves in relation to the regulatory framework, definitions, and exemptions from the various CASRs. Section 8 in CAO 95.32 and Section 10 in CAOs 95.8 & 95.10 is where the interest is – Flight conditions. The first obvious change relates to carriage and use of oxygen for PG and HG. Previously we were required to carry and use O2 at flight altitudes greater than 10000ft amsl. This has been changed up to altitudes greater than 12500ft amsl. So, a win there of sorts. WM pilots are restricted to ops below 10000ft amsl. The next one is not so obvious and is one I want to come back to later when I talk about altimetry. This is a change in the wording around altimeters. Let’s move on, as the next one is the biggie: “10.3 A relevant aircraft must not be flown: (a) at a height of 5000ft amsl or higher; or (b) in the VMC criteria specified in item 4 of Table 2.07 (3) of the Part 91 MOS; unless it is equipped with, or carries, serviceable radiocommunications equipment.” Here’s the diagram from page 43 of the Part 91 Plain English Guide: Figure 2: VMC criteria and VHF carriage What does this mean? Well firstly, if you fly above 5000ft amsl, you need to carry and use an airband VHF radio. Secondly, if you are flying in Class G airspace: • • completely clear of cloud and are below 3000ft amsl, or, • • at or below 1000ft agl but higher than 3000ft amsl, then you must carry and use an airband VHF radio. Bear in mind that in order to use that airband VHF radio, you must be authorised to do so. That is, hold the SAFA VHF Radio Operator endorsement, or another airband VHF radio operator qualification from another approved organisation.