CASA media release - Monday 19 February 2007
Aviation maintenance industry gets a new edge
Australia's aviation maintenance industry can now take advantage of a new set of world-class licensing and training standards.
The new standards offer greater international competitiveness to Australia's large aircraft maintenance industry and pave the way for a complete overhaul of maintenance regulations.
Maintenance personnel and training organisations have the option of operating under a system closely based on the European safety standards, which are acknowledged as world-leading.
Approved maintenance training organisations can now apply to be recognised under the new training regime and aircraft engineers will be able to seek appropriate licences and ratings.
At this stage the new standards do not replace the existing maintenance personnel training and licensing regime but will operate in parallel to current arrangements.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is offering the alternative maintenance training and licensing system to fast track its benefits while the full maintenance suite of new regulations is being finalised. CASA is aiming to complete the maintenance suite by the end of 2007.
A Civil Aviation Order – CAO 100.66 – contains the new maintenance training and licensing standards.
The new standards are primarily aimed at large aircraft maintenance operations, with updated rules for the general aviation maintenance sector to be included in the final package of regulations.
A joint aviation industry-CASA team developed the training and licensing standards and will complete the full maintenance package.
Head of the team, CASA's Hondo Gratton, says consultation through the Standards Consultative Committee and its Maintenance sub-committee have been crucial to the success so far.
“I must also thank the members of the industry part of this team – representing Qantaslink, Virgin Blue, Hawker Pacific, Aviation Australia and Dines Aviation Services,” Mr Gratton says.
“This team has addressed the needs of the large aircraft maintenance industry and we will now be setting up a similar team with people from the general aviation, aerial work and freight sectors to develop standards that will best support these operations.”
For more information go to: www.casa.gov.au/cao100.66
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0713