Up until the late 1970’s, operation of ex-military aircraft in Australia was restricted to a few specific types that were given civil type certificates, eg C-47, CAC-built P-51D, and ex-RAF Chipmunks. Then, when the “Historic and Ex-Military Aircraft permit to Fly” was developed, use of the designated aircraft quite still quite restrictive, eg. only display flying, maintaining currency and positioning for displays was permitted.

In 1998 a comprehensive overhaul of aircraft certification included additional categories of Experimental and Limited. Certain AWAL members of the time had some involvement in the formulation of this policy. Thus a much wider range of operations was now possible, eg Huey helicopters in Restricted Category for firefighting, and adventure flight operations in Limited Category.

A condition by the Minister of the time was that CASA was not to be diverted from its primary role in commercial aviation, so that Limited Category was to be self-administered by a suitable industry body. Australian Warbirds became the nominated body, but for various reasons (none down to AWAL) the process of taking up that self-regulation was delayed, and warbird operations continued in Australia by a CASA-issued exemption.

However, with the knowledge that self admin was inevitable eventually, the AWAL board continued to prepare for it, and by December 2006 considerable progress had been made to generating documents and manuals. Just as well, as an unfortunate accident drew attention to a legal anomaly, and CASA threatened to ground all Limited Category aircraft. Without the existing progress by AWAL, all limited category aircraft would have been summarily grounded at that time. The AWAL board was able to obtain a period of grace (to May 14^th, 2007) to complete the first stage of the self administration process. Thus limited category operations proceeded, and no aircraft were grounded.

Since May 14^th 2007 further stages of the self-admin process have been achieved. An Adnenture Flight compliance guide and AWAL self Admin manual have both been published. More remains to be done. It is hoped that by mid 2009 the process will be completed. Just some of the tasks to be completed include auditing of adventure flight operators, initial airworthiness of warbirds and issuing of C of As, training of authorized personnel to issue those C of As, convene a maintenance review board, issue systems of maintenance for specific types, determine LAME requirements for specific types, assess and approve training courses for LAMEs, etc etc.

I’ve had to pay an administration fee of $550 for my limited category aircraft. Why?

To achieve the progress listed above, AWAL has enlisted countless hours by volunteers, and the services of a paid consultant and a technical writer. The volunteers have made (and continue to make) many trips to Canberra and elsewhere. Expenses continue to be incurred. The initial funding came from AWAL funds, which were accrued from annual membership fees and airshow income. The cost to achieve stage 1 was over $100,000, and similar amounts will be spent annually for another year or more.

 It is a simple calculation: approximately 200 limited category aircraft need to raise approx. $100,000. Then add 10% GST. The annual administration fee is thus $550 per aircraft.

This may change. The amount will be set to cover costs. AWAL is a non-profit organization, and will only charge what is required.

What do I get for my $550 ?

Believe it or not, we get this question time and time again, despite all that has been said and written by way of explanation. To put it bluntly, the answer is that you get to fly your aeroplane.

Do I have to pay this other $132 as well ?

The $132 is a (flying) membership fee to belong to AWAL. You can belong to AWAL without owning a limited category aircraft, and thus $132 is all you’ll pay.

Limited category: what does it mean?
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