Class 5 medical self-declaration - (PP 2302FS)

Overview

We are seeking your feedback on a new Class 5 medical self-declaration policy. It will allow private pilots to self-assess and self-declare without requiring a medical assessment if they meet fitness requirements and operate in accordance with specified operational limitations.

The policy aims to improve accessibility to a streamlined medical self-certification pathway for the general aviation and recreational aviation community.

To support the implementation of the new Class 5 medical self-declaration, there will be comprehensive guidance material for applicants, certificate-holders and healthcare practitioners.

We are proposing to enact the policy through an exemption instrument to the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASRs). This will enable industry to access the new Class 5 medical self-declaration as soon as practical.

This proposal has been developed with input from the aviation community, including the aviation medicine technical working group.

This is also one of the initiatives in our General Aviation Workplan for simplifying health arrangements.

Your feedback will inform the finalisation of the proposed policy, supporting documents, and the regulatory review process.

Controlled airspace discussion paper

Medical fitness is also one of the topics in our separate consultation on access to Class C and Class D controlled airspace for sport and recreation aircraft.  We are seeking feedback on a discussion paper about controlled airspace separately as part of our commitment to facilitate greater operational opportunities for sport and recreational aviation activities when safe to do so, as outlined in our General Aviation Workplan.

The controlled airspace discussion paper is available here: Provide your feedback – Discussion Paper (DP 2314OS) – Access to Class C and Class D controlled airspace for sport and recreation aircraft.

Why your views matter

We recognise and value the contribution that the aviation community makes towards achieving effective policy outcomes and regulatory change processes.

We are consulting to ensure that the proposed policy is clearly articulated, will work in practice, meets industry’s needs, and identify any potential inadvertent consequences or adverse impacts related to the implementation of the proposed policy.

Please submit your comments using the survey link on this page.

If you are unable to provide feedback via the survey link, please email regulatoryconsultation@casa.gov.au for advice.

Documents for review

All documents related to this consultation are attached in the ‘Related’ section at the bottom of the overview page. They are:

• Policy proposal - 2302FS – outlines the proposed policy for a Class 5 medical self-declaration
• Draft Guidelines – Medical Assessment for Aviation
• MS Word copy of online consultation for ease of distribution and feedback within your organisation

At the end of the response period, we will:

• review all comments
• make all responses publicly available on the Consultation Hub (unless you request your submission remain confidential)
• publish a Summary of Consultation which summarises the feedback received and outlines any intended changes or next steps.

All comments received on the proposed policy will be considered. Relevant feedback that improves the proposed policy will be considered and incorporated into the final policy.

Please note that all submissions provided will be provided to an external consultant for independent analysis.  The consultant is required to store and use personal information in accordance with the privacy rules applicable to CASA and the information can only be provided for the purpose of the consultation on the policy. A Summary of Consultation will be published when available.

To support the aviation community, it is CASA’s aim to make an exemption instrument as soon as possible to introduce the Class 5 medical self-declaration. Further amendments to the CASRs that support the proposed reforms to the medical certificate structure will be made in due course.