International relations
- International Civil Aviation Organization
- Other international committee work
- Trans-Tasman relations
- Regional activities
- Bilateral arrangements
International Civil Aviation Organization
Australia is a signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), which provides for the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation.
ICAO, which was established by the Chicago Convention, develops international standards and recommended practices using international panels and working groups. Those standards and recommended practices are published in 18 annexes to the convention.
The Transport and Regional Services portfolio has carriage of Australia’s participation in ICAO, with the various portfolio agencies taking responsibility for ICAO activities falling within their legislative functions. CASA is responsible for seven of the 18 annexes, and shares responsibility for a further two annexes with Airservices Australia.
CASA continued to provide strong support to ICAO in 2006–07, primarily through participation on panels and working groups and implementing the outcomes of the annual Directors General of Civil Aviation Conference. Our significant contributions to ICAO’s work during the year covered the following areas:
- aerodromes
- airworthiness
- aeronautical surveillance
- air traffic management and related matters
- dangerous goods
- flight crew licensing and training
- operations and related matters
- various Asia–Pacific regional planning and implementation groups.
Preparations commenced for an audit of Australia to be conducted under ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program in February 2008. This comprehensive audit will assess the effectiveness of Australia’s aviation safety regulation through the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices as set out in the annexes to the Chicago Convention and associated procedures and guidance material. CASA is working with the Department of Transport and Regional Services and Airservices Australia in preparation for the audit.
Other international committee work
CASA is represented on Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics Special Committee RC-203, which deals with unmanned aerial systems, and the Royal Aeronautical Society’s 9626 International Working Group, which deals with flight simulation training devices.
Trans-Tasman relations
On 30 March 2007 arrangements for the mutual recognition of air operator certification between Australia and New Zealand came into effect with the exchange of diplomatic notes between Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile and Ms Annette King, Minister of Transport for New Zealand. This followed the completion of all legislative and constitutional requirements on both sides of the Tasman to implement the Arrangement between the Australian and New Zealand Governments on Mutual Recognition of Aviation-Related Certification signed at Wellington on 13 February 2007. Implementation of the arrangements is supported by an Operational Arrangement between CASA and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand signed on 16 March 2007.
In the first instance, Australia and New Zealand have agreed to limit mutual recognition to air operator’s certificates permitting the operation of aircraft with a capacity of more than 30 passenger seats, or a maximum certificated take-off weight of more than 15,000 kilograms. Mutual recognition may be extended in the future to air operator’s certificates permitting the operation of aircraft with fewer than 30 seats or a maximum take-off weight of less than 15,000 kilograms, and to other aviation-related certification within the scope of the Air Services Agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
Regional activities
Pacific Aviation Safety Office
CASA continued to provide technical support to the Australian representative (an officer of the Department of Transport and Regional Services) on the Council of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) throughout 2006–07. Substantial progress towards the implementation of PASO was made during the year. PASO is now in the final stages of becoming fully operational with the recruitment of technical personnel and commencement of safety oversight operations in the Pacific region.
Loan funding from the Asian Development Bank together with additional grant funding from ICAO enabled a review of aviation legal and technical systems to be undertaken in Pacific island states that will receive safety oversight services through PASO. The review will assist in determining the scope of services that PASO will provide across the region.
Papua New Guinea
During the year CASA participated in an Interagency Implementation Working Group convened by the Department of Transport and Regional Services with the aim of developing a new strategic direction for civil aviation regulation under the Australian Government’s Enhanced Cooperation Program for Papua New Guinea.
Indonesia
In May 2007 the Australian Government announced a $23.9 million programme of training and technical assistance for the Republic of Indonesia to address issues associated with aviation and maritime safety. The assistance programme will be delivered over three years beginning in 2007–08. CASA is a significant contributor to the programme and will provide a range of technical expertise and advice.
Bilateral arrangements
A Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australia and the United States was signed in June 2005, and an Implementation Procedure for Airworthiness in September 2005. Both came into effect on 28 November 2006 with the completion of the necessary treaty ratification processes. Under the agreement, the Implementation Procedure allows for the import to the United States of certain aeronautical products designed and manufactured in Australia, and Australian acceptance of certain US Federal Aviation Administration approvals. Discussions were also held with the administration to extend the scope of the Implementation Procedure to include parts manufactured under an Australian Parts Manufacturer Approval.
Discussions were held with the European Aviation Safety Agency and the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China with a view to completing agency-to-agency arrangements for the mutual acceptance of aviation certification. It is expected that arrangements with both agencies will be substantially completed in 2007–08.
Progress towards technical bilateral arrangements with Canada and Brazil was slow throughout 2006–07 but will be accelerated in 2007–08.