The CASA Briefing
Your monthly CASA update

 Civil Aviation Safety Authority

January 2007

From CEO Bruce Byron

CEO Bruce Byron

Self-administration has been in the spotlight in recent times, with the concept being examined for general aviation, warbirds preparing for to become self-administering and new rules being drafted.  CASA supports self-administration for some non-passenger carrying sectors of aviation where risks can be safely managed by participants and where peer controls have a potential to produce better safety outcomes.  That is why self-administration has existed in sports aviation for many years - people taking part in flying as a sport understand and accept the risks and the impact of their activities on other airspace users and the public is minimal.  The advantage for CASA is that we can reduce the level of resources we allocate to these sectors, instead focussing on passenger carrying operations where 96 per cent of Australian fly.

Of course self administration does not mean a total lack of involvement by CASA.  We oversight safety by approving the organisations that administer the various areas of activity and retain the ability to step in and take appropriate regulatory action where necessary if serious safety problems arise.  I believe the concept of self-administration reflects the maturity of Australia's aviation industry - its ability to identify and manage risks and deliver safe outcomes.  There are still discussions going on between CASA and various groups about self-administration ideas for general aviation, with the preferred direction being an increased level of delegation of functions and responsibilites to appropriate individuals and organisations.  This is firm evidence of CASA and industry working co-operatively for the best safety and operational outcomes for the aviation industry.

Warbirds self-administration

The Australian Warbirds Association is working to become a self-administering body for aircraft operating in the Limited Category.  The Limited Category allows aircraft that would otherwise be ineligible for certification to operate under a set of special conditions.  It covers historic, ex-military aircraft and replica aircraft.  Currently the Warbirds Association is developing governance arrangements and appropriate manuals to gain CASA approval to become a self-administration body for this sector.  They will operate in a similar way as other sport and recreation self-administration bodies, such as Recreational Aviation Australia, but under Civil Aviation Regulation 262AN.

CASA supports the move to self-administration for warbirds as this allows the regulator to focus its resources on passenger-carrying aviation operations.  However, self-administration does not mean CASA will cease all oversight of warbirds, as the Association will become an approved organisation and be subject to audits and other checks.  About 200 aircraft currently operate in the Limited Category.

Proposed sport and recreational rules

People in the aviation industry are being asked to comment on a proposed new set of rules for sport and recreational aviation operations.  CASA has published a Notice of Proposed Rule making covering sport and recreational flying.  The NPRM is open for comment until 19 February 2007 or a later date if notified.

CASA has consulted widely with people and organisations active in sports and recreational aviation, including the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia, the Australian Ballooning Federation, the Gliding Federation of Australia, Recreational Aviation Australia and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.  The objective of the new rules is to consolidate all existing sport and recreational rules into the new Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 103.  The proposed rules recognise that sport and recreational aviation will be administered by organisations approved by CASA to the maximum extent possible.  CASA will give these activities a lower priority, apart from ensuring the safety of the public and other airspace users.

Read the sport and recreational NPRM and send responses

Learn about GA engines

CASA is holding a series of free conferences for people with an interest in general aviation propulsion systems.  Avtech 2007 will focus on new general aviation engine technologies or new applications of existing technologies.  The conferences are a must for general aviation maintainers, manufactures and operators, although anyone is welcome to attend.  CASA airworthiness engineer Obaid Soomro says the conferences will help people understand what lies ahead for general aviation small engines.  "Lycoming and TCM have kindly agreed to take part in all three conferences, bringing a wealth of knowledge and information to the events,” Obaid says.  "They'll also talk about the continuing airworthiness of their existing engine fleet in Australia."

There are three conferences being held:

Perth Monday 12 March at the Royal Aero Club
Brisbane Wednesday 14 March at the Brookwater Golf Club
Sydney Thursday 15 March at the St George Rowing Club.

The conferences are free but it is important that everyone who wants to attend registers with CASA.

To register send your details to Obaid Soomro at:  obaid.soomro@casa.gov.au

Visual Flight Guide updated

The very popular Visual Flight Guide had been updated.  The Visual Flight Guide helps VFR pilots to fly safely and meet the requirements of the regulations and orders.  It covers everything from pilot responsibilities to emergency procedures.  There are sections on pre-flight planning, weather, flight information services, airspace designations, night VFR and helicopter operations.

The Guide has been updated to take into account rule changes and other operational requirements.  At this stage the latest version is only available on the CASA web site.  The web site version will be updated regularly as changes are required.  A new print edition is currently being considered as feedback on the Guide grows.

To download the latest Visual Flight Guide

Alcohol and other drugs testing

Work is continuing on the development of a Notice of Proposed Rule Making for legislation to establish an alcohol and other drugs testing regime for the aviation industry.  The NPRM will give people in the aviation industry full details of how the testing regime will operate and what will be required of organisations and individuals.  It will also be the main chance for the aviation industry to have its say on the proposed testing regime.  In the meantime, a comprehensive list of questions and answers has been posted on CASA's regulatory reform web site.  These questions and answers incorporate issues raised last year at a nationwide series of forums held on alcohol and other drug testing.

Read the alcohol and other drug questions and answers

New maintenance rules

A key step in bringing in new maintenance regulations was taken last month with the release of a draft Civil Aviation Order covering maintenance personnel and training organisation standards.  The Order - CAO 100-66 - will allow early access to the new maintenance licences and ratings, which are based on the European model.  It also recognises specifically approved maintenance training organisations to provide training for people wanting to obtain the new licences and ratings.  CASA is using the Order to give people the option of choosing to train under the new system while the full maintenance suite of regulations is being finalised.  This follows strong support for the new approach to maintenance licensing and training from the aviation industry.

All existing maintenance personnel licences will continue to be recognised and training under the current regime will still be available until the full set of new rules comes in effect.  The Order, when it is legally made, will simply allow people to choose the new system and access the benefits as soon as is possible.  CASA has also issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making setting out in full the proposed long term changes to maintenance regulations.  Find out more

Get the full bottle on fuel

An easy-to-read guide on everything people in aviation need to know about fuel has been published by CASA.  A new Airworthiness Bulletin released this month summarises the main regulations covering aircraft refuelling, as well as setting out answers to a range of frequently asked fuel questions.  There are seven fuel requirements, based on the regulations, orders and advisory publications.  A total of 18 fuel questions are answered, ranging from what is avgas to how to convert an aircraft to a different fuel type.  A number of questions and answers relate to the use of ethanol and diesel fuels in aircraft.

Find out more about aircraft fuel issues

Stay safe at night

Accidents that happen at night are two and half times more likely to be fatal than crashes that occur during daylight hours.  So addressing all the known risks before flying at night is vital, particularly for pilots operating by night visual flight rules.  To help night visual flight rules pilots operate as safely as possible CASA has issued a new advisory publication.  The advisory explains how to obtain a night visual flight rules rating, planning night flying, hazards and threat and error management.  There is also advice on good decision making and avoiding fatigue.

Learn how to make night visual flying safe.