CASA media release - Thursday 10 May 2007
Head of Airspace Office appointed
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has appointed the head of the new Office of Airspace Regulation.
Peter Cromarty, who has more than 30 years experience in international aviation, will join CASA next month.
Mr Cromarty has worked as an air traffic controller, an air traffic services manager and as a pilot in the United Kingdom, the United States and the Middle East.
He will head a team of ten airspace specialists who will make up the new Office of Airspace Regulation.
The Office of Airspace Regulation is being set up to take over responsibilities for regulating airspace from Airservices Australia. The Federal Government decided to move the functions from Airservices Australia to avoid any perception of a conflict of interest between airspace service delivery and airspace regulation.
The new Office will be operational from 1 July 2007 and will be based in Canberra. It will have the decision making powers for regulating civil airspace.
The Office will be required to make airspace decisions in accordance with an Australian Airspace Policy Plan.
This plan, which is under development, will set the Government's policy for the longer term objectives for airspace, determine standards for airspace classification and service provision and decide the levels of service to be provided according to a common risk management framework.
CASA's chief executive, Bruce Byron, says CASA's new airspace responsibilities are a welcome challenge.
“The Government has given CASA a key role in airspace management and we are putting together a strong team of people to deliver the required outcomes,” Mr Byron says.
“I am very pleased that we have the services of Peter Cromarty, who is a very experienced international aviation professional. He has been appointed after a thorough international search.
“I will be working closely with Peter in coming months and introducing him to all sectors of the aviation industry as we begin work in this new area of responsibility.”
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0729