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7.3 Multi-Crew Endorsement

CASA uses multi-crew endorsements as a means of risk mitigation. Their use enables pilots to continue flying and air traffic control staff to continue duty despite the presence of medically-significant conditions which would otherwise pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of air navigation.

When a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate is endorsed with the condition Holder to fly as or with a qualified co-pilot', all of the following conditions apply:

1. The holder is restricted to operating either as or with a qualified co-pilot while exercising the privileges of the licence validated by the medical certificate.

   Note: it is sometimes possible for an applicant to have an as or with co-pilot' restriction on a Class 1 medical certificate but an unrestricted Class 2 medical certificate

2. Aircraft requirements:
   1. Side-by-side seating in the cockpit
   2. Fully functioning dual controls.
3. Certificate holder requirements:
   1. To wear shoulder restraint harness at all times
   2. To be prepared to relinquish command or control of the aircraft at the onset of any incapacity
   3. To ensure that the other pilot has read the requirements in this document.
4. Other pilot's requirements:
   1. To occupy a control seat except for short absences in transport category aircraft in the cruise with the autopilot engaged
   2. To hold command endorsement for the aircraft
   3. To be current and appropriately rated for the flight
   4. To be aware of the type of incapacity the pilot may suffer in flight
   5. To be prepared to take command of the aircraft should the other pilot be unable to continue command.

   Note: This condition does not:

   1. Preclude the medical certificate holder from being left on the flight deck alone in a 2-pilot operation; or
   2. Preclude the medical certificate holder from operating as a single pilot on a flight deck should the other pilot in a 2-pilot operation become incapacitated.
5. Other pilot's requirements:
   1. To occupy a control seat except for short absences in transport category aircraft in the cruise with the autopilot engaged
   2. To hold command endorsement for the aircraft
   3. To be current and appropriately rated for the flight
   4. To be aware of the type of incapacity the pilot may suffer in flight
   5. To be prepared to take command of the aircraft should the other pilot be unable to continue command.
      

   Note: This condition does not:

   1. Preclude the medical certificate holder from being left on the flight deck alone in a 2-pilot operation; or
   2. Preclude the medical certificate holder from operating as a single pilot on a flight deck should the other pilot in a 2-pilot operation become incapacitated.

When a Class 3 medical certificate is endorsed with the condition Holder is required to inform employer of the nature and extent of his/her medical impairment and to co-operate in establishing mitigation strategies to minimise the effect of this impairment', the following applies:

The holder who has such a restriction on a Class 3 medical certificate is required to inform his/her employer of the nature and extent of his/her medical impairment and to co-operate with the employer in establishing strategies to minimise the risk of his/her impairment causing acute incapacitation. Relevant strategies may include, but are not limited to, measures such as special roster or shift arrangements, specified meal breaks, or guaranteed access to prescribed facilities.

When a Class 3 medical certificate is endorsed with the condition Holder may exercise the privileges of the licence without supervision, but there must at all times be another licensed air traffic controller who is aware of the holder's impairment present and able to assume the holder's air traffic management duties should the holder experience sudden incapacitation', the following applies:

The holder who has such a restriction on a Class 3 medical certificate is not permitted to undertake duty alone and is required to ensure, at the beginning of each shift, that his/her co-workers are aware of the type of incapacity the individual may experience while working and that at least one co-worker is available at all times to take over the individual's air traffic management duties should such a sudden incapacitation eventuate.