CASA tightens rules on mercy flights

CSF are flights where patients and their families or carers are transported:

  • to a destination for non-emergency medical treatment or services; or
  • from the treatment destination back to the place from which they departed or to a destination where they reside.
CSFs are conducted by volunteer pilots free of charge and coordinated by a charity or for a charitable or community service. The new safety standards identify the kinds of aircraft that can be used, set out appropriate maintenance and operating requirements.  They have been put in place following consultation with community service flight organisations, pilots, the broader aviation community and the general public. CASA stated in a media release on 12 February 2019 that the “centrepiece of the new safety standards is a requirement for pilots to have appropriate flying experience before they undertake community service flights”. Read more about the new safety standards here and here.