Environmental regulations

For Aircraft

We assist the aviation industry to meet Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations and to identify aircraft that meet the Air Navigation (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1995 (Regulation 4) through existing international certification.

All civil aircraft operating in Australia are required to comply with the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018 and Air Navigation (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1995 regardless of size, purpose or ownership.

As an aircraft operator/owner you have responsibility to ensure your aircraft meets these regulations. This is usually achieved by your aircraft meeting the standards outlined in either:

We can assist you to meet these requirements by identifying which of the sub-regulations, outlined below, apply to your specific aircraft.

A Chief Pilot from Archerfield in his GNSS-fit aircraft
Overview of Airservices assessment of environmental regulations for aircraft.
Piper PA28 Cherokee

Ensuring compliance

with environmental regulations for aircraft

We recommend you confirm your aircraft’s compliance with the aircraft environmental regulations  if you:

  • purchase a new aircraft
  • add an aircraft to the Australian Civil Aircraft Register
  • operate an aircraft that has previously been assessed in accordance with the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018 but has been modified in any way, which may affect its noise characteristics
  • operate an aircraft that has previously been assessed in accordance with the Air Navigation (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1995 but either the engine has been changed or the aircraft has been modified, which may impact the performance or function of the engine
  • change ownership or registration of an aircraft holding a 14(3)(a) permit (known as a Regulation 9A(2)(a) permit, prior to 2018).

Want more

Information?

Access the Deemed self-service portal or apply for an Aircraft Noise Assessment

 

Take me to the portal

Check aircraft evidence and confirm compliance with the Air Navigation (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1995

 

Check aircraft evidence

Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for ensuring my aircraft is compliant with the aircraft environmental regulations?

As the aircraft owner or operator, you are responsible for ensuring that your aircraft meets the requirements of both the Air Navigation (Aircraft Noise) Regulations 2018 and Air Navigation (Aircraft Engine Emissions) Regulations 1995 . You will need to ensure that you hold evidence of compliance and can show this evidence, if you are asked. We have compiled a number of resources to assist you to meet the regulations – please select one of the buttons above to learn more about the Aircraft Noise Regulations or Aircraft Engine Emissions Regulations.

Do you need to assess my aircraft noise certification or provide me with a noise certificate?

We do not need to issue a noise certificate or assess the aircraft’s noise certification status if your aircraft is noise-certified and you have evidence of its certification, such as in the approved flight manual.The Deemed self-service portal is available to help you confirm that your aircraft holds existing noise certification.

What changes have you made to the Deemed assessments process?

We launched the new Deemed self-service portal on 1 August 2019. The self-service portal enables you to determine whether your aircraft holds existing international noise certification, generally within 15 minutes, without needing to apply to us for an assessment, or submit evidence. Additional information is available on the Aircraft noise regulations and assessment process page.

What do I do if I am unsure if my aircraft is noise-certified?

The Deemed self-service portal will assist you to confirm if your aircraft holds existing international aircraft noise certification. If your aircraft is not certified, you will be required to apply for permission to operate without a noise certificate under Section 14(3)(a) or apply to have your aircraft noise-certified (charges apply for noise certification). Additional information is available on the Aircraft noise regulations and assessment process page.

What modifications may affect the noise characteristics of my aircraft?

Any change to your aircraft has the ability to affect the noise characteristics; examples of these include but are not limited to:

  • engine change or power increase
  • propeller change
  • weight increase or decrease
  • exhaust muffler change
  • aerodynamic change
  • other changes affecting flight performance.