CASA Media Release - Monday, 18 October 2004
A better set of maintenance rules
A comprehensive set of clearer and easier to use rules covering aircraft maintenance and maintenance personnel is being proposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The proposed new rules provide a better focus on safety, are in line with international best practice, reduce unnecessary regulatory requirements and grant wider privileges to the aviation industry.
In addition, the proposed rule changes will help the Australian aviation industry win a greater share of business in international markets.
The new ‘maintenance package’ of rule changes is contained in notice of proposed rule making 0407MS – Maintenance and Maintenance Personnel Requirements.
Everyone involved in Australian aviation is being urged to look at the maintenance package and provide comments to CASA by 10 December, 2004.
The new package includes rules that will be contained in ten different parts and sub-parts of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. A series of notices of proposed rule making on these ten regulatory parts and sub-parts were issued in late 2001 and 2002.
After comment from the aviation industry and a review by CASA, improvements were made to the proposed rules. As a result, the aviation industry is being given another opportunity to comment before the draft rules are put before federal Parliament.
CASA’s chief operating officer, Bruce Gemmell, says the maintenance package creates a framework of safety standards for aircraft maintenance and maintenance personnel that is clear, concise and unambiguous.
“Importantly, the proposed rules seek to create an environment where aviation organisations and people can take responsibility for their safety actions,” Mr Gemmell.
“This enhances the ability for CASA to reduce its intervention to an appropriate level.
“The proposed rules will also reduce international barriers to Australian aviation organisations and people who are seeking to build a world-wide market for their products and services.”
The notice of proposed rule making is available online at: rrp.casa.gov.au/maintrules
CASA will be holding a series of meetings for aviation people to ask questions and provide comment on the maintenance package. These will be held in Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. For dates check the RRP section of the CASA web site: rrp.casa.gov.au/briefings
Media contact
Peter Gibson
Mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0433