CASA Media Release - 23 November 1999
CASA welcomes Class G airspace report
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority today welcomed the release of the air safety report into the Class G airspace demonstration.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the Australian Transport Safety Bureau report makes a valuable contribution to the lessons learned from the Class G demonstration.
The Class G demonstration was conducted late in 1998 in airspace between Canberra and Ballina below 8500 feet. During the demonstration pilots in the airspace were offered a radar information service instead of a radio traffic information service.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau found operational and management deficiencies with the conduct of the demonstration.
The report adds: "However, the Class G airspace demonstration was useful for providing important information on operational and project management issues which can be used in future planning for airspace reform".
Mr Toller says CASA recognises the validity of many of the criticisms of the report.
He says in particular CASA acknowledges the ambiguity of its role as proponent of the demonstration while also acting as safety regulator.
"The Federal Government has now clarified CASA's role in future airspace reform," Mr Toller says.
"CASA will no longer be the advocate for airspace reform but will instead concentrate on ensuring any changes improve safety. CASA's job is safety regulation and the confusion of the past has been eliminated by this Government's clear directions.
"If CASA requires reforms to airspace for safety reasons then we will clearly set out the evidence to support any changes before they are made.
"I also welcome the Government's support for the steps being taken by the CASA Board to ensure the authority's corporate governance standards meet the highest tests.
"These steps include clearly spelling out the roles and the functions of CASA's Board, the Chairman and the Director, along with corporate governance education for all members of the Board. The Board has also encouraged the development of a code of conduct for CASA staff embracing those parts relevant to Board members."
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: ME9953PR