Agricultural aviation gained more space to develop in Brazil. The regulatory framework for the segment was streamlined and modernized with the approval, by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), of the Amendment No. 05 to the Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation (RBAC) No. 137, which was renamed “Registration and Operational Requirements: Aeroagricultural Operations”. The new regulation, formalized by the Resolution No. 716, of June 13, 2023, takes effect on October 2nd, bringing innovations that will enable a safe and sustainable growth of aeroagricultural operations.
Aligned with the modern approach of responsive regulation, which considers the competence and commitment of the professionals involved with operational safety, the new RBAC nº 137 brings several modernizations for the operators and favors the expansion of the agricultural aerospace segment, which today has a fleet of about of 2,5 aircraft.
The first major change is the extinction of the certification process for agricultural air operators. The Air Operator Certificate (COA) was replaced by the Agricultural Air Operator Registration (CDAG), which will not have a fixed validity. The obligation to submit the company's registration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) to ANAC was also eliminated.
To start aero-agricultural operations, it will be enough for the company to with basic data, indicating the responsible manager and the compatible aircraft. ANAC also removed the regulatory requirement for a fixed structure of management personnel. It will be up to the company to assess its need for personnel, according to the size and complexity of operations.
Completing the logbook is now easier and the document is no longer mandatory on board the aircraft during agricultural operations, only at the operation site, to be updated at the end of the journey.
focus on security
Agricultural aviation security gained a new mechanism suited to the reality of current operations. The Operational Safety Management System (SGSO) is no longer a requirement for the sector. However, the agricultural aviation operator still has the obligation to manage the risk of operations, identify hazards and adopt the corresponding mitigation measures. The regulations are based on the good practices of the operators.
To assist operators in this regard, ANAC will issue a Supplementary Instruction (IS) and a Good Practices Guide for Agricultural Operations, to be made available soon.
Follow all ANAC publications for the segment on the page Agricultural Air Operators, segment space.
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Street: ANAC
