Civil Aviation Act and the PNG Regulatory Framework
What this domain tests
This section checks whether you can place any aviation document in the correct PNG hierarchy: primary legislation, subsidiary rules, advisory material and mandatory directions. The Civil Aviation Act 2000 establishes CASA PNG and the Director of Civil Aviation, and gives the authority functions covering safety regulation, licensing, certification and enforcement. The Minister has policy and rule-making responsibilities; the Director exercises statutory powers. Rules are subsidiary legislation and are binding. Advisory circulars explain acceptable means of compliance but do not create offences. Airworthiness directives are mandatory when issued under the rules.
Core structure
- Act: primary legislation; creates CASA PNG, the Director's powers, offences, penalties and appeal rights.
- PNG Civil Aviation Rules: binding numbered parts; amended through the rule-making process.
- Advisory circulars: guidance and acceptable methods, not the only method of compliance.
- Directions and airworthiness directives: mandatory operational or airworthiness requirements.
- Delegations: the Director may delegate specified powers; check the instrument rather than assuming.
Worked example
An AME reads an advisory circular saying a 100-hour inspection is acceptable. The operator's approved maintenance programme and the applicable PNG CAR Part 43 requirement specify a different interval. The advisory circular does not override the rule or the approved programme. The AME must follow the binding requirement and may use the circular only as guidance where it does not conflict.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming every CASA PNG publication is law; confusing the Minister's role with the Director's; treating an advisory circular as a defence; and missing that an airworthiness directive remains mandatory even when it is not copied into the maintenance programme.