[straitman]

A few interesting notes from CASA. I especially like the one about not being a 'Nanny Regulator'

It's also worth looking at the cost recovery information. CASA now charge you a lot for absolutely everything. e.g. $130 to process a medical and many other charges listed in the links. They've got to be running at a profit!



The CASA Briefing
Your monthly CASA update


October 2006
From CEO Bruce Byron



Please subscribe now!
Welcome to the first edition of CASA's new monthly email newsletter - The CASA Briefing. This email newsletter is a quick and easy way to stay in touch with what is happening in CASA and aviation safety regulation.

If you subscribe to The CASA Briefing you will get an email newsletter at the end of each month containing essential information for everyone in aviation. All you need to do is fill out the subscription form to stay informed about your aviation industry. CASA will not pass your email account details on to any other person or organisation.

But please remember you must fill out the subscription form to keep receiving this newsletter. You have been sent this first edition because you have supplied CASA with your email address. We will not send you another newsletter unless you subscribe now.

We're not a 'nanny' regulator
I have released an important statement setting out a new direction for the relationship between the aviation industry and CASA. The statement sets out the changes CASA is making to the way it works and the expectations we have of industry in return. CASA must no longer be seen or act as a 'nanny-regulator'. Safety is not just the concern of the regulator and the regulations - it is the responsibility of people and organisations in the aviation industry. Industry must manage its own safety risks, with support and oversight from CASA. CASA will still provide entry control and enforcement but our main emphasis will be on helping organisations and people to manage their risks, by using motivation and education.
Read the statement about the new direction for CASA and industry.

Your comments welcome
CASA is always keen to hear from people in the aviation industry with suggestions for improvements to the way the regulator is working, or with ideas to address safety risks. Please send any comments by using The CASA Briefing feedback form.
Bruce Byron
CASA CEO

GA self administration?
More work on the idea for self-administration in the general aviation sector will get under way in November. This follows a successful meeting convened by CASA in late September to examine a wide range of GA self administration issues. The September meeting attracted key groups such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Leisure Flight Australia, the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs and Recreational Aviation Australia.

CASA emphasised that for GA self administration to go ahead the industry must develop a safety case to show how risks will be managed and at least an equivalent level of safety maintained, as well as a business case to demonstrate the viability of new arrangements. CASA has pledged to help industry groups take this next step. Several specific proposals will be considered at the November meeting, including the classification of operations and a US-style model for GA commercial operations.
More details on GA self administration.

Better training for airline pilots
CASA says there will be clear safety benefits from a proposed new category of pilot licence. Work is under way to develop regulations to introduce multi-crew pilot licences in Australia - in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards. The multi-crew licence will deliver competency based training to people learning to become a co-pilot for an airline. This training will focus on the skills required to perform in a multi-crew environment, rather than traditional training where the focus is on single pilot operations.

CASA's group general manager Personnel, Licensing, Education and Training, Graham Edkins, says: "The skills learned in single pilot operations, while important, are not necessarily centred on the threat and error management skills required in a team based environment. The challenge for airline flight crews of today is to work cohesively as a unit, to anticipate and manage threats to the operations, and to identify and capture any errors made. The multi-crew licence is designed with this targeted training in mind and is an important step in recognising that competency based training is the way of the future". Consultation with the industry on the proposed new licence has begun.
More details on multi-crew licences.

New deputy CEO wants to talk to you


CASA has a fresh member of its leadership team - Shane Carmody. Shane has taken up a new position known as deputy CEO Strategy and Support. Reporting to him are the Personnel, Licensing, Education and Training group, the Information Services group, Legal Services and Planning and Governance. Bruce Gemmell is now the deputy CEO Operations - responsible for the Air Transport group, General Aviation group and the Manufacturing, Certification and New Technologies office.
Shane Carmody comes to CASA after five years as a deputy secretary of Defence and ten more years at senior levels within the Australian Government. Shane was an Army officer before joining the Defence department in 1989. Shane says: "I'm not afraid to make a decision but I'm very keen on having the right sort of information to make a decision, which means I place a great deal of weight on having the relevant data. I firmly believe in getting out of my office and talking with the people who are affected by our work, so it is a big priority for me to meet aviation industry people".
View CASA's new organisation chart.

Fees and charges are changing
More than 250 people attended seven forums held recently to look at new CASA cost recovery proposals. Feedback from industry people was frank and valuable - no-one is happy about paying more for CASA services but if it has to happen services must be delivered efficiently. CASA was able to explain that fees for regulatory services are being set at a level to simply cover the costs of those services, not to fund other CASA activities such as surveillance or safety education.

With cost recovery for services an Australia government requirement, CASA is now analysing all industry feedback in detail before finalising a new set of fees, due to be introduced from 1 July 2007. It is expected adjustments to the current proposals will be made in a number of areas, including that of recovering CASA travel expenses.
More information on cost recovery.

Help for aircraft manufacturing sector
CASA has a set up a new section dedicated to supporting Australia's aviation manufacturing industry. The Manufacturing section is a part of the Manufacturing, Certification and New Technologies office. Ten people have been recruited to staff the new section, which has its headquarters in CASA's Moorabbin office, with people also located in Sydney and Brisbane.

Section head John Niarchos says staff have been located to be as near as possible to Australia's major aviation manufacturing operations. John says: "Our aim is to provide safety guidance and education to the aviation manufacturing industry, as well as oversight through surveillance and audits. We assess new applications for manufacturing approvals. Our team is dedicated to improving the delivery of services to the industry and to have good working relationships with industry people". In 2007 people in the manufacturing sector will be invited to meet the new CASA team at a series of seminars. Contact John Niarchos for more details: john.niarchos@casa.gov.au

Medical fees review - update
CASA is about to publish a report on feedback to a set of proposals for changes to the way the class 2 medical certification system operates. Comments closed at the end of July on a discussion paper which set out four options for the management of class 2 medicals. The options ranged from retaining the current system where CASA charges a flat fee for all medicals to delegating class 2 medical certification to designated aviation medical examiners.
A total of 628 responses to the discussion paper were received and these are being analysed by CASA. Further consultation is also being carried out with the aviation medical community and other parties. The discussion paper and responses have raised a number of complex issues which must be resolved before any recommendations can be made for change.
More information on the medical fees review.

We've got safety advice for industry
CASA has recently appointed a six-member team of field safety advisors to work closely with people in the aviation industry to improve safety. The advisors all have broad experience and expertise in aviation and will help strengthen communication and consultation between the industry and CASA.
Each field safety advisor has their own geographic area of responsibility. For the moment these are concentrated in the eastern states, but could expand in coming years. David Pattie, Manager Safety Promotions says: "The safety advisors will often be found on the road helping industry fully appreciate its safety obligations and minimise its safety risks". Our field safety advisors will shortly have their own section on the CASA web site.

CASA commits to quality
CASA has shown its commitment to business improvement by gaining membership of the Australian Organisation for Quality. The not-for-profit organisation provides support and training for organisations in business management and improvement. The Australian Organisation for Quality's chairman of the Aerospace Division, Dale Armstrong, has welcomed CASA's membership. Mr Armstrong says the organisation already has a strong defence aviation involvement.

CASA moves its head office
If you are travelling to CASA's head office in Canberra soon, please check the address with the person you are visiting. CASA is moving to a new location in the commercial centre of Phillip. Our new street address is:
16 Furzer Street Phillip ACT

Phillip is a major ACT town centre, about 10 minutes south of the city centre. It is about a 15 minute taxi ride from Canberra airport, although allow a little longer in peak traffic times.

CASA's mail address stays the same:
GPO Box 2005 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone numbers are unchanged. Full CASA contact details.

[stryker]

Originally Posted by straitman

A few interesting notes from CASA. I especially like the one about not being a 'Nanny Regulator'

It's also worth looking at the cost recovery information. CASA now charge you a lot for absolutely everything. e.g. $130 to process a medical and many other charges listed in the links. They've got to be running at a profit!

Not sure what you are trying to say here, Bill.

I also received this email (as I am a pilot). Don't blame CASA, blame Little Johnny (if it's in you to do that).

[straitman]

Originally Posted by stryker

Not sure what you are trying to say here, Bill.

I also received this email (as I am a pilot). Don't blame CASA, blame Little Johnny (if it's in you to do that).

No blame intended, no comments made. Just posted as most here wouldn't see or have ready access to this information.

[serfty]

Thanks Bill for the info, quite some interesting stuff. As not all of us are able to be pilots it's good to get that sort of information.

[Yada Yada]

Originally Posted by stryker

I also received this email (as I am a pilot). Don't blame CASA, blame Little Johnny (if it's in you to do that).

If I had the time I'd be spamming Little Johnny every day.

[Kiwi Flyer]

isnt that what spambots are for?

[Yada Yada]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

isnt that what spambots are for?

I guess so, but ain't got one.

[straitman]

The CASA Briefing
Your monthly CASA update


April 2007
From CEO Bruce Byron



The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report into the accident at Lockhart River in far North Queensland in May 2005 was released earlier this month. The report makes it very clear that, tragically, mistakes were made on the flight deck. Descent and approach speeds were excessive and about 28 seconds before impact the aircraft descended through the minimum safe altitude, which at that point, was 2060 feet. Descent was at a rate up to 2500 feet per minute when altitude was less than 2000 feet. Mistakes may have been made due to confusion about where the aircraft was on the approach track, confusion about the true altitude or attempts to get through the low cloud cover. In other words, there was a loss of situational awareness. While the investigation was not able to find enough evidence to come to a firm conclusion about the immediate cause of the accident it is clear that the standard, published approach was not being followed.

If the aircraft had been in this same situation today it is highly likely the pilots would have taken corrective action, as since 1 July 2005 aircraft of this type have been required by CASA to be fitted with Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems, rather than the more limited Ground Proximity Warning System that was on the Metroliner at the time. CASA has already acted on a number of the ATSBs earlier recommendations in relation to the accident and we are now actively analysing a further set of recommendations. I can assure the aviation industry and the community that safety improvements will be made as a result of the lessons taken from the Lockhart River tragedy. Improvements have already been made to the way CASA conducts the oversight and surveillance of regional airlines and further positive changes are being planned. However, on the available evidence there is no reasonable basis to make a direct link between CASA and the failures that occurred on the fli ght deck on the day of the accident.

I believe the lesson every pilot must take from this accident, and from the ATSB's report, is the absolute importance of following published procedures. If this aircraft had been following the published procedures for the RNAV instrument approach it was making into Lockhart River aerodrome the accident would not have happened.

Classification of aviation activities
A fresh way of classifying Australian aviation activities has been announced by CASA. The new system will replace the old categories of regular public transport, charter, aerial work and private operations. Instead the focus will be on the safety of people on board aircraft. Under the new system there are clear categories of people carried by aircraft - passengers, task specialists and participants. In addition, there are aircraft crew.

Passengers are people who are not expected to know about or have control over their aviation risks. Operations carrying these people are CASA's highest priority. Task specialists are people who have in-flight duties associated with the flight and who know and accept the level of risk is different to a passenger flight. Participants are people who voluntarily take part in aviation and who explicitly know and accept the risks. The highest safety standards and rules will apply to aircraft carrying passengers, with rules for crew-only flights to the base-line.

Under the new system there will be three broad classes of operations: passenger transport, aerial work and general and freight activity. Passenger transport will cover what are now known as regular public transport and charter flights. These will continue to require an air operators certificate. Aerial work will cover operations such as emergency and medical flights, law enforcement, aerial survey and aerial agriculture. Some of these activities will require an air operators certificate, while others will be regulated using other permissions or operational limitations, depending on the level of risk. General and freight only will cover most private flights, flying training, freight-only flights and others where only the crew is on board an aircraft. Air operators certificates will be required for some activities in this class, such as large freight operations, while others will not require a permission from CASA.
The policy will be implemented as CASA issues new Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. Until these regulations are in-place all current regulatory requirements continue to apply.
Read the full policy.

Australia-US cooperate to make GPS better
Australia and the United States have formally agreed to meet annually to work towards improvements for the civil use of the Global Positioning System and regional augmentations to GPS. Officials met in Canberra in late April to discuss a range of GPS related issues. Areas identified for cooperation between Australia and the US include: enhanced mechanisms for notification of GPS satellite operational changes, promoting broader utilisation of augmentations to the Global Navigation Satellite System, coordinating radio frequency spectrum used by GNSS, encouraging access to information needed to develop and build future generations of GNSS and encouraging international mechanisms to promote the use of GNSS. A formal statement issued after the meeting said that Australia and the US have a shared interest in space-based positioning, navigation and timing systems for civil, commercial and scientific uses.
Read the joint Australian and US delegation statement on GPS.

Changes to CASA fees
The fees CASA charges for regulatory services are changing on 1 July this year. This is so CASA meets the Australian Government's requirements for cost recovery for services. While the complete list of fee variations has not yet been finalised, many changes have been determined. For pilots, many fees for flight crew licences will in fact go down. However, there will be some new fees or changes to existing fees. These include a $25 charge for printing a flight crew examination record and $25 for printing a copy of a flight crew licence. The cost of renewing Aviation Security Identification Cards will also increase, due to a rise in the charges by security agencies for doing background security checks.
The good news is the cost of pilot medicals will drop from $130 to $75.
Find out more about changes to fees.

New training packages for regional operators
CASA will be rolling out several training and support packages later this year aimed at regional airline and charter operations. This follows an identified need to provide additional safety and risk management resources to the smaller, regional passenger-carrying sector. CASA will develop training materials for pilots in areas such as situational awareness, threat and error management, fatigue, safety and error reporting, perceptions and illusions and stress. The training will be both self and class based instruction, using DVDs, information booklets, checklists and presentations. CASA will make this package available to flying schools as well.

Smaller, regional aviation operators will also get more support. These operators can face financial, technological or workforce pressures, particularly when expanding or changing operations. CASA will develop a Safety Management Toolkit that builds on existing education and training material on safety management systems. There will be written material giving advice on change management. This will look at important issues such as changing equipment, personnel, classification of operations, organisational structures and new routes.
Find out more about better regional aviation safety.

Flying hours on the up and up
The flying training industry is leading the way in the strong growth in the general aviation sector, with an increase in hours flown of more than 18 per cent in 2005. The latest official figures show that overall general aviation flying hours increased by 4.7 per cent in 2005 - the first rise in GA activity since 1998. Hours flown in aerial agriculture were up by 9.8 per cent in 2005, while business rose by 4.3 per cent and aerial work 2 per cent. GA charter operations recorded a 0.3 per cent increase in hours flown. Private flying hours dropped in 2005 by 3.2 per cent. In the sports aviation sector, ultralight use increased by 6.7 per cent, hang gliding by 1.7 per cent and gyroplane activity by 12.2 per cent.
Read the full report on GA activity by the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics.

Find out more about rule changes
CASA is about to offer a set of streamlined web pages that will keep aviation people informed about the development and implementation of new regulations. The comprehensive and informative web pages that currently cover rule changes and regulatory reform projects will be more closely integrated with the rest of CASA's web site. This will include a design and navigation revamp, all aimed at making it easier for people to move across the entire CASA web site. All of the information on regulatory reform will be retained, although the way it is accessed may change.
Watch out for changes to the way rule change information is communicated.

R22 and R44 rotor blade action
CASA has advised operators and owners of Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters to follow a manufacturer's safety alert on main rotor blade skin disbonding. Several R22 main rotor blade skins have been found disbonded at the outboard tip lower surface where the skin butts up against the spar. Several similar disbonds have occurred on R44 blades. The disbond may occur when the paint is eroded enough to expose the leading edge of the lower skin bondline. When the bondline is exposed, erosive material such as sand or dust causes rapid erosion of the bondline and subsequent lifting of the skin. Once the skin has lifted a small amount, airflow causes the skin to continue to peel back. Pre-flight inspection of this area will allow early detection of a disbond before it progresses. Robinson has produced service letters setting out the actions to be taken by maintainers if a blade requires refinishing.
Read the Airworthiness Bulletin and service letters.

Lithium battery warning
Everyone in the aviation industry is being warned to be aware of the risks Lithium batteries can pose when carried in baggage or as freight. Earlier this year the US Department of Transportation issued new advice on the safe transport of Lithium batteries and battery powered devices. This followed two incidents on board commercial aircraft this year. In the first incident a fire broke out in an overhead baggage locker and the preliminary investigation indicated one or more loose batteries may have caused the fire. The second incident, in March this year, involved a battery overheating or igniting. In both cases aircraft crew quickly extinguished fires and the aircraft landed safely.

Lithium batteries are used in many mobile telephones, laptop computers, cameras and other portable devices. Spare batteries must be kept in their original packaging, loose batteries should be covered with insulating tape to stop contact with metal or carried in a plastic case. Batteries should also be transported in aircraft carry-on baggage rather than checked baggage.
Find out more about dangerous goods.

GA people: have your say now
The Australian Government is urging people who are part of the general aviation sector to have their say on the future of the industry. A new paper has been issued that examines a range of key issues for the future of GA. These include airport access, safety and security regulations, economic issues, changing technologies and education and skills for pilots and engineers. The paper has been released as part of the Government's General Aviation Industry Action Agenda. Transport Minister Mark Vaile says: "the General Aviation Industry Action Agenda aims to foster industry leadership, help the industry develop strategies for growth, agree on priorities and make commitments to change. This issues paper is a starting point for the General Aviation Action Agenda to build on. I would encourage the members of this vital Australian industry to support the Action Agenda by continuing to share their views and ideas about the future of the industry through the submiss ion process."
Find out more about the GA action agenda.

[Commuter]

Originally Posted by straitman/CASA

Flying hours on the up and up

The flying training industry is leading the way in the strong growth in the general aviation sector, with an increase in hours flown of more than 18 per cent in 2005. The latest official figures show that overall general aviation flying hours increased by 4.7 per cent in 2005 - the first rise in GA activity since 1998.

Just my guess but I think a lot of the growth in flying training industry is to do with overseas students. It won't really help the domestic situation of (longer-term) pilot shortage, I guess.

Anyway, looking at the initial post, it made me chuckle to see 'better' training for airline pilots when speaking of MPL. I don't object to the concept of MPL but whether it's 'better' or not is yet to be seen.

As for the 'we are not a nanny regulator' in the initial post, that's great in principle but I am not quite sure whether it will work in reality because it relies on the premise that people would try and do the right thing - not always the case as evidenced by Lockhart River.

[Lindsay Wilson]

Thanks for the details Bill. I used to get Air Safety Australia (courtesy of a former tenant who didn't change his address for over 2 years), so I've been missing reading stuff like this