News, media releases and speeches

A young maintenance engineer examines an aircraft component

Backing the next generation of aircraft maintainers

Updated: 28 May 2026

Three aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) have received support through CASA’s 2026 AME scholarship program.

Flight operations newsletter

Focus on flight ops – May 2026 (second edition)

Updated: 22 May 2026

This issue helps operators prepare their procedures submission, explains how WHS and SMS can work together, includes an SMS industry case study video, and highlights our available resources.

Media reporting on certification of aircraft for aerial firefighting

Clarification on CASA’s role in the potential certification of the Transall C-160 aircraft.

Stating the facts

Maintenance Matters - May 2026

This month, we invite your feedback on the second tranche of our review of uniquely Australian airworthiness directives, let you know that significant changes for Parts 145 and 42 can now be submitted through myCASA.

Maintenance matters

CAA NZ CAN-62-005 - MD369 Main Rotor Blade - Cracking at the root section

The purpose of this CAN is to notify helicopter operators and maintenance providers of a recent accident in which an MD369Esuffered a separation failure of a main rotor blade.

A Beechcraft twin-engine aeroplane flying through the sky

Have your say: Review of uniquely Australian wing bolt Airworthiness Directives

We are seeking feedback on the next category of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) under review, relating to Beechcraft wing bolts and associated hardware.

CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence

CASA announces CEO reappointment and new Board member

Updated: 19 May 2026

CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence, has been reappointed for a further 2-year term through to May 2028.

FAA ACS - AIR770-2026-05-R-6700-ACS - Robinson Helicopter Company R44, R44 II, R66 Separated Push-Pull Tube

Updated: 19 May 2026

The FAA’s airworthiness concern is whether loose hardware near the hydraulic servo-to-swashplate push-pull tube interface is being found on R44 and R66 model helicopters.

Pilot safety newsletter - Fixed-wing - May 2026

Updated: 15 May 2026

This edition includes a crash comic on the risk of take-off without clearance, an article on decoding NOTAMs, tips on avoiding runway incursions, and more!

A pilot sitting in the cockpit of a helicopter

Pilot safety newsletter - Rotary - May 2026

Updated: 15 May 2026

This edition includes a crash comic on the risk of take-off without clearance, an article on decoding NOTAMs, tips on avoiding runway incursions, and more!

CAA NZ CAN 27-032 - AS350 Helicopters Tail Rotor Pitch Control Rod - Damaged Ball Joint

Updated: 15 May 2026

The purpose of this CAN is to notify helicopter operators and maintenance providers of a number of recent occurrences reported to CAA of finding excessive play in AS350 tail rotor pitch control rod ball joints. Recently reported findings appear…

A small aeroplane taking off, with airport buildings visible behind it

Prepare now for 9 July changes to Sydney airspace

Updated: 14 May 2026

From 9 July 2026, airspace across Sydney will change to support Western Sydney International Airport which opens later this year.

A person's hands typing on the keyboard of a laptop

Regulatory services fee estimates

Updated: 14 May 2026

We've updated our regulatory service fee estimates to make them more consistent and accurate.

EASA SIB 2026-04 - Aviation Turbine Fuel - Use of Jet A Grade Fuel in a Jet A-1 Environment

Updated: 12 May 2026

Due to recent events in the global aviation fuel supply chains, availability of aviation turbine jet fuel of Jet A‑1 fuel grade (hereafter referred to as “Jet A-1” in this SIB) on certain markets might be constrained. Aviation and fuel supply…

A man in a high visibility vest and a hard hat holding a drone

Consultation summary: supporting uncrewed aircraft research and development

Updated: 11 May 2026

We’ve published the summary of consultation on research and development pathways for uncrewed aircraft.

Flight operations newsletter

Focus on flight ops – May 2026 (first edition)

Updated: 8 May 2026

This issue highlights what operators need to do by 1 September, how to get started with HFNTS (including where documentation should sit), current flight ops exemptions, RotorTech drop-in sessions, and new resources now available in hard copy.

Regulatory wrap-up April 2026

Updated: 7 May 2026

In the April 2026 issue, view our consultations open for feedback and find out more about recent changes to regulations.

Regulatory Wrap-up

Introduction of PEGs into CASA examinations

Updated: 7 May 2026

Candidates sitting any pilot exam can now bring CASA’s plain English guides into the exam room.

Updates for exam participants

CASA exams: plain English guides now permitted

Updated: 7 May 2026

You can now bring our plain English guides into pilot exams.

CAA NZ CAN 76-001R1 - Gippsland GA8 - Throttle Cable Installation Inspection

Updated: 6 May 2026

The purpose of this Continued Airworthiness Notice (CAN) alerts operators and maintenance providers of possible safety concerns related to incorrect assembly of the throttle cable to the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) on Gippsland GA8 Airvan aircraft.

FAA SAIB 2023-03R2 - Rotorcraft Crash Resistant Fuel Systems

Updated: 5 May 2026

This revised Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) provides information to help rotorcraft owners, operators, aircrew, and passengers understand the importance and safety benefits of crash resistant fuel systems (CRFS) for rotorcraft.…

RPAS news - May 2026

Updated: 5 May 2026

This edition invites you to have your say on RPAS operations over or near people and the draft annex to AusSORA. You can also watch our latest RPAS and AAM Roadmap webinar and read about what you must do to fly a drone at Vivid Sydney plus plenty…

RPAS news

A woman sitting a laptop computer with a cell phone and a credit card in her hands

Make your significant changes in myCASA

Updated: 1 May 2026

We’re adding the ability to notify us of significant changes to 7 certificates in myCASA to help businesses move online and away from filling out complex paper forms.

'May-tenance Month' returns this May

Updated: 1 May 2026

Get ready for CASA to go purple again as we shine a light on all things maintenance engineering during this year’s 'May-tenance Month'.

UK CAA Safety Notice SN 2026/005

Updated: 30 April 2026

The purpose of this Safety Notice is to advise general aviation pilots who fly aircraft with autopilot and/or electric trim systems. It is published to remind pilots of the importance of checking that the autopilot/electric trim is functioning…

FAA ACS - AIR760-2026-02-S-3200-ACS - Main Landing Gear Actuators Sticking Due To Corrosion On Slide Tube

The FAA recently received a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) of a water landing accident involving a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver installed with Wipline 6100A amphibious floats operating in a saltwater environment. One of the…

A drone flying through the blue sky, with a cloud behind it

Applying for complex drone operations: use AusSORA now

We’ve published Advisory Circular 101-06 (AusSORA). The advisory circular sets the method for assessing complex drone operations in Australia.

RPAS news - April 2026

This edition invites you to the latest RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap webinar, asks for your say on the draft airworthiness annex for AusSORA, reminds you on what you need to do to plan and authorise flights and more.

RPAS news

UK CAA Safety Notice SN 2026/006 Version 2

The purpose of this Safety Notice is to advise that the CAA has reached a preliminary view that some parachutes supplied for GA use may not have been inspected and/or packed in accordance with applicable airworthiness, manufacturer, or regulatory…

FAA ACS - AIR730-2026-03-R-6200-ACS - Leonardo AW139 - Cracked Main Rotor Tension Links

The FAA recently received three separate Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs) from a U.S. repair station regarding cracked main rotor tension links on the Leonardo AW139.

Maintenance Matters - April 2026

In this edition we invite feedback on an assessment framework to review legacy unique Australian ADs. We also give you a heads up on what we've planned for May-tenance month.

Maintenance matters

CASR Part 133 Australian air transport operations (rotorcraft) Plain english guide cover

Part 133 plain English guide now in print

Our latest plain English guide – Part 133 (Australian air transport operations – rotorcraft) is now available in both print and digital formats.

The CASA Briefing - April 2026

This month’s briefing includes an update from CEO Pip Spence on calling ‘time’ on some uniquely Australian airworthiness directives (ADs), guidance for operations to Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, and the latest aviation safety updates.

CASA Briefing

Have your say - policy proposal for drone operations over or near people

Updated: 22 April 2026

We're seeking feedback on the draft policy for drone operations over or near people. The policy aims to better match rules to risk while maintaining strong safety outcomes.

CAA NZ CAN-57-005 - Tecnam P2008 Fuselage Extrusion P/N 28-2-1095-1 Attachment Lugs - Corrosion

Updated: 21 April 2026

The purpose of this CAN is to to bring attention to defect reports submitted to the CAA of finding corrosion in the attachment lugs of fuselage extrusion P/N 28-2-1095-1 on five P2008 aircraft.

Pilot safety newsletter - Rotary - April 2026

This edition includes an animation on flying a visual approach in controlled airspace, an article on preventing runway incursions, a new quiz, and more!

Pilot safety newsletter - Fixed-wing - April 2026

This edition includes an animation on flying a visual approach in controlled airspace, an article on preventing runway incursions, a new quiz, and more!

Focus on flight ops – April 2026

Flight operations newsletter

In this edition we promote the SafeSkies SMS workshop, RotorTech conference, our free safety manager online module, guidance on leadership, communication, consultation and manual obligations.

Consultation open - review of uniquely Australian structural fatigue airworthiness directives

We’re seeking feedback on a framework to review and potentially repeal 18 uniquely Australian ADs affecting GA aircraft.

Comment on the preferred airspace design southeast of Bankstown Airport

Updated: 15 April 2026

The preferred airspace design for a proposed VFR corridor to the southeast of Bankstown Airport is now available to review.

EASA SIB 2026-03 - Embraer EMB-135, EMB-145, ERJ 170 and ERJ 190 aeroplanes - Radio Altimeters - 5G Interference Susceptibility

Updated: 15 April 2026

This SIB is issued to recommend installation of specific filters which reduce the susceptibility to interference from 5G ground networks.

FAA SAIB 2026-10 - Torso restraint systems and safety belts installed in general aviation aircraft

Updated: 10 April 2026

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is being issued to alert owners, operators, and maintenance technicians of an airworthiness concern for torso restraint systems and safety belts installed in general aviation aircraft.

Have your say on integrating exemptions into the flight operations rules

Updated: 9 April 2026

We are proposing to bring several longstanding exemptions and directions into the flight operations regulations.

FAA ACS - AIR750-2026-01-S-5700-ACS - Piper Aircraft - Forward Wing Spar Attachment Corrosion

Updated: 8 April 2026

The FAA recently received a report of severe corrosion on the left-hand forward wing spar attachment, specifically the forward spar through to the forward fuselage attachment fitting and on the rivet heads of said attachment, on a Piper PA-28-161.…

Draft airworthiness annex for AusSORA news

Have your say on draft airworthiness annex for AusSORA

Updated: 7 April 2026

We're seeking feedback on the draft airworthiness annex for AusSORA. The annex provides guidance on meeting airworthiness operational safety objectives for drone operations under AusSORA.

Regulatory wrap-up March 2026

Updated: 2 April 2026

In the March 2026 issue, view our recently published summaries of consultation and find out more about recent changes to the regulations.

Regulatory Wrap-up

Flight information service in the Pilbara region

Updated: 2 April 2026

We've published our review of the Flight Information Service within the Pilbara region.

Picture of a telecommunications tower at sunset

Radio altimeter upgrade required for low visibility approaches

Updated: 1 April 2026

Operators conducting low‑visibility instrument approach procedures within Australia are now required to have upgraded radalts.

EASA SUP 03/2026 - Theft of Turbofan Engine Parts before Mutilation

Updated: 1 April 2026

This SUP has been published to notify that a consignment of formally declared non-airworthy turbofan engine parts was rerouted late January 2026, from its destination by a third party that impersonated the contracted mutilation provider. The…

EASA SIB 2026-02 - SZD-9 bis 1E - Notification of Unapproved Parts Installed

Updated: 31 March 2026

This SIB has been published to inform that the Type Certificate Holder – ZSJ installed an unapproved rubber cord into the Main Landing Gear (MLG) shock absorber assembly of SZD-9 bis 1E sailplanes. It is likely that several sailplanes have shock…