Hovercraft

[Bend alot]

There is no doubt that this type of craft must comply with a Marine Act.

Should a wing‑in‑ground effect craft wish to supply alcohol to customers, they would also need to comply with a Liquor Act.

It certainly would not be exempt from any Work Health and Safety Act requirements.

I also expect that during "flight" (when not stated in an "aircraft") that the requirements of the Civil Aviation Act, could also apply as applicable.

[aroa]

Only in Oz.. does a sea or floatplane,..... a registered AIRCRAFT, have to also pay for a speedboat rego.
Ah bureaucrats...money for idle minds.

[compressor stall]

Where does CASA define Airplane or Aeroplane? I couldn't find it in the Dictionary buried at the back of the CASRs.

[Bend alot]

Originally Posted by compressor stall

Where does CASA define Airplane or Aeroplane? I couldn't find it in the Dictionary buried at the back of the CASRs.

Found it after a good look the other day - was in one of the dictionaries but do not recall exactly where.

CAsA define a
"aircraft" - it specifically excluded craft that fly in ground effect, but do not recall the wording.

You will need to keep looking, or someone may post the link.

[Sunfish]

A certain seaplane pilot was “ramped” by the Victorian water police and was about to be pinged for a lack of flares. Quick thinking reply was that they were prohibited items under aviation regulations and that Commonwealth law overrides state law. Police gave up.

[Bend alot]

Still having a look for the definition of "aircraft" - but here is "aeroplane" from the 1988 REGs.

www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_reg/car1988263/s2.html

[Bend alot]

Or this.

"aircraft" means any machine or craft that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth's surface.

CIVIL AVIATION ACT 1988 - SECT 3 Interpretation

[compressor stall]

Thanks - that's actually a neat definition, and would seem to exclude the hovercraft / WIGE vehicles.

[KRviator]

Originally Posted by Wunwing

In the 1970s I had a mate who ran a mechanics business on the Hume Highway in Western Sydney. He was given a hovercraft as a debt payment back when they were still experimental.

He went to DCA, Marine and DMR to find who registered such things and no one wanted to accept responsibility. So being resourceful he "drove" the craft along the highway only to be booked for driving an unregistered vehicle. Responsibility proved??

The local cops spent the next weeks trying to get the ticket back.I bet there were a few hard words in Highway Patrol headquarters over that one.
Wunwing

So here's a question...
We've worked out that a hovercraft doens't come under CAsA, so assuming it's registered under RMS (or whatever they call themselves these days), and you take out Marine third party insurance, what could The Rozzers get you for if you decided you didn't want to tow it to the boat ramp and simply drove it home?

[harrryw]

If you drive it on the left of the road you could get pinged for driving on the wrong side of the channel.