Passenger Carriage and Medical Fitness Regulations

Temporary Medical Unfitness for Pilots

Pilots are obliged to self-ground themselves under specific circumstances to ensure safety:

Self-Grounding Requirement:
- Pilots must ground themselves if they experience:
  - A medically significant condition.
  - Any change in a medical condition or medication that could affect their ability to perform license-related duties.
- Grounding must continue until the pilot is cleared by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) or CASA AvMed.
Medication Changes:
- Any initiation or alteration in medication that could potentially cause adverse effects requires pilots to self-ground.

Medically Significant Condition:
- Conditions like injuries, mental infirmities, drug addiction, abnormal psychological states, or pregnancy-related conditions.
Safety-Relevant Condition:
- Any condition impacting a pilot’s ability to safely execute their duties.

Non-notifiable Conditions:
- Common and self-limiting conditions (e.g., mild headaches, minor injuries).
Conditions Requiring Notification:
- Serious health issues, including heart conditions, medicated diabetes, and substance-related conditions.

Medical Certificate Holders:
- Class 1: Notify CASA for conditions lasting over 7 days.
- Class 2, Basic Class 2, Class 3: Notify CASA for conditions lasting over 30 days.

Pilots should consult CASA AvMed if uncertainties arise regarding conditions that necessitate self-grounding or notification.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates rigorous standards for drug and alcohol use:

CAR 256:
- Pilots must abstain from alcohol for at least 8 hours prior to flight, often referred to as “8 hours bottle to throttle.”
- Pilots are prohibited from flying or performing crew duties under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
CASR Part 99 - Drug and Alcohol Management Plans (DAMPs):
- Mandatory for individuals involved in safety-sensitive aviation activities (SSAAs).
- Organisations must implement DAMPs as per the regulatory requirements.
- Subject to random drug and alcohol testing by CASA or authorized personnel.

Commercial Flights:
- Require an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Must follow stringent safety management standards, maintenance schedules, and undergo regular proficiency checks.
- Subject to regulatory surveillance and audits to maintain safety standards.

Private Flights:
- Conducted without financial compensation (e.g., flying with friends or family).
- Pilots must hold the appropriate pilot’s license and a valid medical certificate.
- Cost-sharing with passengers is permissible only under equal contribution terms, with restrictions on advertising the flight and seat limits.

By adhering to these regulations and guidelines, pilots ensure the safety and legality of their flight operations.