CASA: Independent review of aviation fatigue rules for operators and pilots

The fatigue rules for air operators and pilots have been updated as part of the CASA's regulation reform program that seeks to align Australia with international standards, improve aviation safety, address known risks, and maintain our reputation for safety in aviation.

The independent review has provided an informed basis on which CASA will complete the implementation of the new fatigue rules in the context of the current international and domestic regulatory environments.

Final report

The independent review team has confirmed the need to modernise Australia's fatigue rules for air operators and pilots in its final report delivered to the CASA Board in March 2018.

The final report includes 24 recommendations to improve and implement the fatigue rules contained in CAO 48.1 Instrument 2013.

The independent review has provided an evaluation of the safety rationale for updating the rules, processes underpinning their development and communication to industry, their scientific basis and validity, international alignment, and their impact on the Australian aviation industry.

Key recommendations to improve the fatigue rules include:

• Revising flight duty period (FDP) limitations by adopting limits more closely aligned with international averages.
• Increasing the flexibility of the Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) option to enhance scalability through additional risk-based tiers.
• Introducing a standardised approval process (other than an FRMS) to offer limited flexibility for operators to operate beyond the prescriptive limits with specific fatigue risk mitigation measures in place.
• Removing Part 137 aerial application operations from CAO 48.1 or adopting limits from CASR Sub part 137.Q due to lower public risk exposures.
• A freeze on transition dates until changes flowing from the review are finalised in CAO 48.1 and material to support industry is ready.
• Allocating appropriate resources to plan a detailed, coordinated implementation for finalising the reform of CAO 48.1.
• A staggered approach to the next phase of change-addressing the highest risk areas first.

Download the final report for more detail.

Next steps

CASA will now proceed with industry engagement to help shape the next stage.

The aviation community is invited to comment on the final report and provide feedback to CASA. This is the time for industry stakeholders to raise any implementation issues and provide feedback to CASA on the highest priorities for action.

Visit the CASA Consultation Hub to provide comments by 17 April 2018.

The Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) is the primary advisory body through which CASA directs its engagement with industry. CASA anticipates the ASAP will establish a technical working group to help review industry input on implementing the review recommendations.

Feedback received via the CASA Consultation Hub will be provided to the technical working group and ASAP for consideration prior to CASA releasing a detailed response to the review, including implementation timetable.

CASA expects to have key changes in place during 2018.

Terms of Reference

Read the Terms of Reference for further detail on the purpose, aim, objectives, scope, and considerations of the review.

The Terms of Reference have been endorsed by the CASA Board.

Independent review team

Dédale Asia Pacific, a Melbourne-based human factors and safety consultancy, steered the review. Dédale assembled a team of specialists to carry out the review. The independent review team and the expert advisory panel include leading international safety and human factors specialists with extensive relevant experience and expertise, including studying the effects of fatigue on operational performance in a range of safety critical industries, developing, evaluating and implementing fatigue models, and working with airlines and other transport industry operators to implement effective fatigue risk management systems.

Learn more about the expertise of the independent review team and expert advisory panel.