Australia – Private Flying

In Australia, a private pilot licence can be obtained using a Class 2 medical certificate, with a restriction that a suitably qualified safety pilot is present during each flight. As part of the Class 2 application, additional tests and medical reports are required to demonstrate that diabetes control is good. This includes A1C tests and records of daily blood sugar test results.

In 2006, Roger Serong gained the right to fly solo after an Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) decision: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/aat/2006/1123.html. Further details can be found on: www.aat.gov.au/CorporatePublications/annual/AnnualReport2007Appendix6.htm.

In Australia if anyone wants to challenge a decision of the Commonwealth Government, be it a government department or an agency like Civial Aviation Safety Agency (CASA), they can appeal to the AAT, which is an arm of the Federal Court of Australia. This is what Roger Serong did with the result that he became the first licensed T1 private pilot to be permitted to fly solo in Australia, using a system based on the FAA Protocol, although limited to day VFR and maximum flight duration < 3 hours.

If anyone wishes to contact Roger to find out more about the AAT Administrative Appeals Tribunal process, please use the following link.

Pilots can fly recreational aircraft(formerly called ultralights) without an aviation medical certificate - they only haveto be fit enough to hold a driver's licence.These aircraft are administered by Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus). Recreational aircraft are limited to a MTOW of 544kg (they have applied for an increase to750kg), two POB and restricted as to where they can be flown.

Article by Roger Serong who flies solo in Australia.

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