The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has opened public consultation on a proposal to repeal a number of legacy airworthiness directives affecting general aviation aircraft, as part of a broader push to modernise regulation.
The consultation centres on 18 uniquely Australian structural fatigue directives, many introduced before 2009 when Australia operated under the legacy Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) system and did not routinely accept airworthiness directives issued by the aircraft’s State of Design. As a result, CASA and its predecessors issued Australian directives across the board, creating a large number of requirements that were often unique to Australia or duplicated those already in place overseas.
CASA said many of these directives were developed using a precautionary approach based on limited fatigue data available at the time. Under today’s regulatory and risk framework, and with decades of global operational experience now available, many would be unlikely to be issued in their current form.
There are currently more than 150 legacy Australian ADs affecting GA aircraft under 5,700 kg that remain active. The regulator has developed a policy framework to assess whether these directives should be repealed, modified or retained, with the current consultation representing the first tranche of that review.
Industry feedback has already indicated that the structural fatigue ADs under consideration may no longer represent the most effective way of managing ageing aircraft. Concerns include their limited flexibility, failure to account for how individual aircraft are operated and maintained, and reliance on fixed life limits that in many cases can only be addressed through full aircraft retirement.
Many of the directives are also not supported by aircraft manufacturers or the State of Design, creating additional cost and uncertainty for Australian owners and operators, particularly where aircraft remain well-maintained but are approaching prescribed life limits.
CASA is proposing to repeal the 18 identified directives unless there is clear evidence supporting their retention. The regulator said doing so would help modernise the management of ageing aircraft, reduce regulatory duplication and better align Australia with contemporary international practice.
Alongside the proposed repeal, CASA is seeking feedback on the policy framework guiding the review, which is based on principles including alignment with current regulation, risk-proportionate decision-making and consideration of operational impacts. A proposed direction to formalise continuing airworthiness responsibilities for ageing aircraft used in air transport operations is also included.
CASA emphasised that safety remains the priority and that repealing the directives would not reduce owner and operator responsibilities. Aircraft must still comply with manufacturer instructions, applicable State of Design ADs and CASA maintenance and operational requirements.
Submissions are open via CASA’s consultation hub until 14 May 2026, with further consultations expected as additional categories of legacy directives are reviewed.