The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority review the general operational
requirements, training requirements, flight planning requirements
and guidance material provided to pilots conducting VFR operations
in dark night conditions.
CASA acknowledges the intent of this Recommendation. As part of
the proposed CASR Part 61, CASA is developing the requirements for
night VFR ratings which will be based on the existing Civil
Aviation Order CAO 40.2.2. In addition, a draft competency standard
for night visual flight operations has been developed for inclusion
in the proposed CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards. CASA plans to
publish a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in relation to this matter
in March 2003.
During July 2003, CASA published NPRM 0309FS, including a draft of CASR Part 61.
Those draft regulations included a proposal for the holder of a NVFR endorsement to demonstrate competency to carry out activities authorised by a NVFR endorsement to an appropriately qualified flight instructor, in the appropriate category of aircraft within the previous 24 months, or complete a NVFR flight review.
In December 2006, CASA published 'CAAP 5.13-2(0) NVFR Rating'. That CAAP included sections 'Keeping current', 'NVFR hazards', 'Threat and error management', 'Planning NVFR operations' and 'Conducting NVFR operations'. It also included competency standards for night flying under the VFR, as guidance for trainees, instructors, testing officers and holders of NVFR ratings.
On 01 March 2007, the CASA website advised the CASR Part 61 project status as follows:
Comments to NPRM 0309FS evaluated. Revised legal drafting underway in OLD. NFRM being prepared. MOS being prepared and circulated for consideration/comments. Subject to review and validation per CEO Directive 16/2004.
