CAO 20.18.10 states:
10.1 In the case of a charter or regular public transport aircraft, all instruments and equipment fitted to the aircraft must be serviceable before take-off, unless:
What is the definition of "charter aircraft"?
Does it mean "an aircraft conducting a charter operation"?
Does it mean "an aircraft in the charter category" (maintenance release)?
There is no definition in CAO 20.18 itself.
We have emailed CASA about this and the response aligns with the first interpretation (charter operation).
In practical terms, CAO 20.18.10.1 would preclude any aircraft in the charter category from conducting any operation (charter, airwork, private etc) if it has any unservicability (as defined under 20.18 and assuming the aircraft has no MEL and no prior CASA permission for the unservicability).
However, if interpreted another way, it means a charter category aircraft with an unservicability (autopilot, for example) could conduct any operation apart from charter (and obviously RPT) so long as it complies with the rest of 20.18 (VFR - Apendix I etc).
So what is the definition of "charter aircraft" and what do you base that definition on?
Thanks for any unambiguous response.