CASA media release - Thursday 17 May 2007
New era in aviation maintenance training
A new era in aviation maintenance in Australia has begun with the approval of the first training organisation under recently introduced world-class maintenance licensing and training standards.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has given the Brisbane-based training organisation Aviation Australia approval to operate under the new standards.
This means Aviation Australia can offer apprentices and current aviation engineers training which is closely aligned with best-practice European standards.
Virgin Blue is the first airline to take advantage of the new training standards, with maintenance staff undertaking additional training with Aviation Australia.
CASA introduced the new maintenance and training standards early in 2007 to allow the aviation industry the opportunity to become more competitive in the international aviation market.
Maintenance training organisations have the choice of continuing to operate under the existing standards or can move to the new world-class standards by complying with the requirements of Civil Aviation Order 100.66.
The new maintenance training and licensing standards are primarily aimed at large aircraft maintenance organisations, with new standards for the general aviation maintenance sector to be introduced later.
CASA's chief executive officer Bruce Byron says the first approval to train under the new maintenance standards is a large step forward for the Australian aviation industry.
“This is exciting and important,” Mr Byron says. “Australia's maintenance industry is already amongst the best in the world and it is now getting even better.
“Organisations like Aviation Australia will see greater demand for their training and airlines such as Virgin Blue will have a more flexible and competitive maintenance workforce, while maintaining and improving safety standards.
“The Australian maintenance industry will be more competitive internationally, opening up more business opportunities for a range of organisations.
“CASA is very pleased to have been able to bring in these new standards and we are working hard to finalise a complete new set of maintenance regulations by the end of this year. This achievement is the result of close co-operation between CASA and the aviation industry, with the standards having been developed by a small team.
“I congratulate Aviation Australia and Virgin Blue for being the first organisations to grasp the opportunity CASA has provided to take up these world-class standards.”
Mr Byron formally presented Aviation Australia with the approval to operate under the new standards at a ceremony in Brisbane today (Thursday 17 May 2007).CAO 100.66 Maintenance authorities – EASA equivalents
Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0731