Can bush pilots carry/fly handguns?
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Can bush pilots carry/fly handguns?
Yes! This is a real question..
I was quite sure I read somewhere bush pilots can carry a handgun whilst flying, with permits etc. In the case that they crash/land without any help, with the handgun as a use of deffence and hunting.
I'm expecting negative comments which are welcome, but I prefer serious and educated replies perhaps containing links to the information.
Thanks
I was quite sure I read somewhere bush pilots can carry a handgun whilst flying, with permits etc. In the case that they crash/land without any help, with the handgun as a use of deffence and hunting.
I'm expecting negative comments which are welcome, but I prefer serious and educated replies perhaps containing links to the information.
Thanks
Can bush pilots carry/fly handguns?
Dr
PS: I used to always carry a 308W - not worth the risk or the hassle these days. Thanks Johnnie for saving us from ourselves!
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CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 - REG 143
Carriage of firearms (1) A person, including a flight crew member, must not carry a firearm in, or have a firearm in his or her possession in, an aircraft other than an aircraft engaged in charter operations or regular public transport operations.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution under subregulation (1) if the person had the written permission of CASA to have the firearm in the aircraft.
Carriage of firearms (1) A person, including a flight crew member, must not carry a firearm in, or have a firearm in his or her possession in, an aircraft other than an aircraft engaged in charter operations or regular public transport operations.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
(2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution under subregulation (1) if the person had the written permission of CASA to have the firearm in the aircraft.
Good luck getting permission to carry one, especially with the carriage of ELBAs and radio. Flight notes and SARWATCH are there to cover the unfortunate possibility of forced landings anyway.
Note you shouldn't even have one on PVT or AWK without permission from CASA anyway but who's gonna ramp check a cocky??
Note you shouldn't even have one on PVT or AWK without permission from CASA anyway but who's gonna ramp check a cocky??
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Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 s48
Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 4.59 4.59A
available at ComLaw - Homepage
These can get you started
basically only air marshalls can carry loaded weapons on an aircraft, from my reading of these Acts.
Almost anything's possible with a permit (I know someone who used to shoot feral animals from an A/C for National Parks, but that was some time ago).
Nothing in the above acts specifically mentions what you're asking. Firearms can be transported in the hold of a commercial A/C with a license and operator approval, unloaded. No idea about lighties.
Additionally, hunting with a firearm is restricted by State laws. You generally need the property owner's approval.
Carriage of ammunition also falls under dangerous goods regs.
IAC, wouldn't you be better off hunting with a rifle?
edit: FTDK, absolutely. It'll be permits for kitchen knives before the decade's out.
Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 4.59 4.59A
available at ComLaw - Homepage
These can get you started
basically only air marshalls can carry loaded weapons on an aircraft, from my reading of these Acts. Almost anything's possible with a permit (I know someone who used to shoot feral animals from an A/C for National Parks, but that was some time ago).
Nothing in the above acts specifically mentions what you're asking. Firearms can be transported in the hold of a commercial A/C with a license and operator approval, unloaded. No idea about lighties.
Additionally, hunting with a firearm is restricted by State laws. You generally need the property owner's approval.
Carriage of ammunition also falls under dangerous goods regs.
IAC, wouldn't you be better off hunting with a rifle?
edit: FTDK, absolutely. It'll be permits for kitchen knives before the decade's out.
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3 easy steps if you want to do it legally.
I know this, because I have this excemption myself, for private flying.
1. Get yourself a gun licence for the category of handgun / longarm that you intend to carry and join a club etc etc as per the requirements
2. Purchase a handgun / longarm from your local firearms dealer or second hand through a firearms dealer (aka legally)
3. Get an excemption in writing from CASA to allow you to carry the gun in the aircraft, but only in the luggage compartment and unloaded.
That's about it, unless you're approved for actually shooting from the aircraft, there are no other options.
Some states (such as NT) allow you to use the handgun for shooting animals etc pretty much anywhere outback etc, however other states like Vic ONLY allow handguns to be used at Police Approved Pistol Ranges - aka a Pistol club.
If you are that worried about a wild pig coming and biting you after you crashed many miles from anywere, you shouldn't be flying. If you think you are going to go and shoot a pig or kangaroo for food, then good luck to you hitting a kangaroo at greater than 80 metres with a handgun.
I know this, because I have this excemption myself, for private flying.
1. Get yourself a gun licence for the category of handgun / longarm that you intend to carry and join a club etc etc as per the requirements
2. Purchase a handgun / longarm from your local firearms dealer or second hand through a firearms dealer (aka legally)
3. Get an excemption in writing from CASA to allow you to carry the gun in the aircraft, but only in the luggage compartment and unloaded.
That's about it, unless you're approved for actually shooting from the aircraft, there are no other options.
Some states (such as NT) allow you to use the handgun for shooting animals etc pretty much anywhere outback etc, however other states like Vic ONLY allow handguns to be used at Police Approved Pistol Ranges - aka a Pistol club.
If you are that worried about a wild pig coming and biting you after you crashed many miles from anywere, you shouldn't be flying. If you think you are going to go and shoot a pig or kangaroo for food, then good luck to you hitting a kangaroo at greater than 80 metres with a handgun.
What CAO's CAR's ANO's or whatever they're called now makes a distinction between a "bush pilot" and any other pilot?
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Security Considerations
In addition to the DG concerns and the CASA permit, you might want to consider the security legislation (ATSR's I think they are) that prohibit the carriage of weapons in a secure area e.g. airside.
Whilst bush strips are hardly security controlled AD's, eventually you'll need fuel, and a lot of places with fuel are also security controlled!
A defense to this is (ATSR reg 5.40 I think) if the weapon is a tool of the trade... e.g. leatherman for a pilot, gun for AFP.
Whilst bush strips are hardly security controlled AD's, eventually you'll need fuel, and a lot of places with fuel are also security controlled!
A defense to this is (ATSR reg 5.40 I think) if the weapon is a tool of the trade... e.g. leatherman for a pilot, gun for AFP.
I reckon your best 'deffence' (sic) for survival in the Australian 'bush',
is lots and lots of WATER.
The idea is to survive until your EPIRB is located.....or whatever....
At 1kg per litre, or 10 lbs per gallon in the 'old days', I always managed to 'squeeze' a couple of 2gal containers in - plus some 'Flyin Doc Christmas Fruit Cake' in a tin......lasts for ages that stuff!
And anyway, a handgun is not much chop for 'hunting', what sort of 'game' is going to let YOU get THAT CLOSE do you reckon?
Cheers
is lots and lots of WATER.
The idea is to survive until your EPIRB is located.....or whatever....
At 1kg per litre, or 10 lbs per gallon in the 'old days', I always managed to 'squeeze' a couple of 2gal containers in - plus some 'Flyin Doc Christmas Fruit Cake' in a tin......lasts for ages that stuff!
And anyway, a handgun is not much chop for 'hunting', what sort of 'game' is going to let YOU get THAT CLOSE do you reckon?
Cheers
anyway, a handgun is not much chop for 'hunting', what sort of 'game' is going to let YOU get THAT CLOSE do you reckon?
ah was just having a read of a book about Oz explorers. The author doing research got some help from the Oz navy taking him to a beach site up north. Under instructions from the Cap, one of the sailors in the landing boat had a rifle as an anti crocodile safety measure...
The idea is to survive until your EPIRB is located
Umm....some one going by the name of LambOfGod asking questions about guns on aircraft......
What next....? Is it legal to send Anthrax in the mail?
What next....? Is it legal to send Anthrax in the mail?
G'Day 'Binghi',
Yep. Used to carry my trusty (new) .303 Lee Enfield in the cab. when I was flying Aus/PNG on a couple of occasions in the 'good ole days'.
Those 'logs' in the rivers around Daru - Morbid were pretty impressive some times - especially when they moved 'upstream'....
T'was duly declared at Horn to Aus Customs on departure in those days.
Glad I never had to use it though....
(It would have meant I'd lost the air-conveyance...)
And, no EPIRBS in those days - but flares etc were OK and encouraged.
Are they not incendiary - like guns /ammo?
Cheers
Yep. Used to carry my trusty (new) .303 Lee Enfield in the cab. when I was flying Aus/PNG on a couple of occasions in the 'good ole days'.
Those 'logs' in the rivers around Daru - Morbid were pretty impressive some times - especially when they moved 'upstream'....
T'was duly declared at Horn to Aus Customs on departure in those days.
Glad I never had to use it though....
(It would have meant I'd lost the air-conveyance...)
And, no EPIRBS in those days - but flares etc were OK and encouraged.
Are they not incendiary - like guns /ammo?
Cheers