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The CASA Briefing

March 2008

From CEO Bruce Byron

CEO Bruce ByronEarlier this month CASA issued an airworthiness directive relating to a problem with certain Precision Airmotive fuel injection servo plugs. The problem was caused by the failure of a gasket installed under the servo plugs, allowing plugs to work loose, causing a lean running engine and a substantial loss of power. The problem was identified in the United States, where one aircraft made a forced landing and was badly damaged. Luckily the pilot walked away from the accident. After a total of 18 reports of the problem the US Federal Aviation Administration issued an airworthiness directive requiring the immediate grounding of all relevant US aircraft. Only rarely has the FAA issued such a wide ranging directive, with no special permits or exemptions and checks to be carried out by properly qualified engineers. CASA immediately issued an equivalent airworthiness directive to apply to the same range of Australian aircraft. The Precision Airmotive fuel injection system is fitted to a wide range of GA aircraft engines, including nine types of Lycoming, a Continental and a series of Superior Air Parts engines. CASA identified more than 1400 operators who may have these engines on their aircraft.

Within hours of the directive being issued Greg Vaughan, CASA's group general manager General Aviation Operations, answered a number of calls from operators with aircraft in remote locations who faced operational difficulties. The next day CASA reviewed the requirements of the directive in more detail, particularly for those people with aircraft in remote and regional Australia. After careful consideration an exemption was issued less than 24 hours after the original directive and this allowed aircraft to be checked once by pilots under stringent conditions before being repositioned, if safe to do so, for a full check by a LAME.

Since the airworthiness directive was issued more than 25 Australian aircraft have been found with fuel injection servo plug problems. I expect this figure will grow further as service difficulty reports are lodged with CASA. I saw one of the first aircraft found with the servo plug problem and I could see the location of the plug was not obvious to a pilot, particularly in complex fixed-wing engines. Any suggestion that guidance material for pilot inspections could have been released by CASA immediately are incorrect as there were a range of safety issues to be identified and analysed. CASA acted responsibly and as quickly as possible to minimise safety risks, while recognising the difficulties faced by aircraft operators. Read the airworthiness directive.


The findings of a review into the relationship between CASA and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau have been released. The review was commissioned by the former Government following comments made in the Queensland Coroner's findings into the Lockhart River accident. Fifteen people died in the accident in far North Queensland in May 2005. The review was carried out by Russell Miller, an aviation law expert and partner at MinterEllison lawyers. Mr Miller's report says CASA and the ATSB are global leaders in their aviation fields. However, he makes 19 recommendations to strengthen Australia's aviation system, many related to ways CASA and the ATSB can work together more effectively. These include improvements to administrative and working arrangements, refinements to the protection provided to some ATSB information to allow the release of safety-critical information from the ATSB to CASA in strictly limited circumstances and options for the ATSB's governance.

CASA supports all 19 recommendations, although we have suggestions on how some can be implemented. I have already issued a directive and policy notice to CASA staff requiring the development of enhanced protocols for CASA's active co-operation and consultation with the ATSB. This includes practical measures such as joint research initiatives, expert assistance to ATSB investigations and regular CASA/ATSB management meetings. CASA took an open and responsive approach to the review by Russell Miller, just as we did the ATSB's investigation of the Lockhart River accident and the Coronial inquiry. I have made sure that CASA has implemented the recommendations from all inquiries and reviews relating to the accident after carefully evaluating the safety benefits. This is part of the process of learning the lessons from an aviation tragedy and making sure CASA continues to improve as a safety regulator.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, has called for public comments on the Miller report before 30 April 2008.
Read the report and lodge comments.

New portal will be a big plus

Doing business on-line with CASA is about to become easier due to the development of the CASA ‘self service portal’. When fully operational the new internet-based portal will allow aviation people to log on to CASA to make on-line payments for regulatory services, submit applications and update their contact details held by CASA. During the portal’s first stage of operation people will be able to view their personal information as well as their licensing, medical certification and aircraft data. They will also be able to update their contact information, make changes to their aircraft details and manage their subscription details. The new system will be introduced gradually during 2008 and 2009, with the first stage due to become operational by the middle of this year. In total there will be around 70,000 people active in the aviation industry who will be able to use the portal if they wish. About 2000 aviation organisations will also gain access once the portal is fully operational.

It is expected that portal functions such as online payments and lodging forms and approvals will be introduced in the next financial year. The CASA Licensing and Registration Centre currently manages more than 100,000 transactions each year. The new portal will allow many of these transactions to be carried out on-line, saving time and resources for the aviation industry and CASA. People who wish to use the portal will be required to register and CASA will release details of this process in coming weeks.

Find out more about the on-line portal.

We’re all speaking clearly now

New international English language proficiency standards came into effect on 5 March 2008. This means that people who are obtaining a new pilot’s licence for the first time now need to have their proficiency in English assessed. To make this as easy as possible CASA has a system in place that allows Approved Testing Officers to become language proficiency assessors. Flying schools need to make sure they either have an Approved Testing Officer who is a qualified language assessor or have access to one. This means students can be assessed while undertaking their training prior to sitting their flight test. Students who do not have a language proficiency assessment can face delays in having their licence issued by CASA.

People who hold existing Australian pilot licences and fly only within Australia do not have to take any action under the new language requirements. They have been deemed to be language proficient. People applying for a student pilot licence from 5 September 2008 will need to meet new general language proficiency standards. Australian pilots flying overseas do need a language proficiency remark entered on their flight crew licence and can obtain this in a number of ways.

Full details of language proficiency requirements.

Aviation security made easy

Need to renew your aviation security identification card or apply for your initial security clearance? If so, your first step should be a visit to CASA’s web site. The pages that provide information on aviation security requirements have been updated and simplified. Information is clearly set out on Aviation Identification Security Cards (ASICs) and Aviation Identification Cards (AVIDs). All active pilots over 18 years must undergo a background security check and be issued with one of the identification cards. Pilots who fly into a security controlled airport must have an ASIC and a link to the full list of those airports is available on the CASA web site.

A total of 36 common questions are answered about both ASICs and AVIDs, with information made easy to understand. The questions and answers cover topics such as what are the security requirements, how to apply and the costs. Details about penalties for not complying with security requirements are also set out. Pilots are reminded it is their responsibility to return their ASIC to the issuing body when it has expired or no longer required.

Find out all you need to know about aviation security.

Aircraft numbers on the up and up

The number of aircraft registered in Australia is growing steadily. In 2007 there was a rise of four per cent in registered aircraft, which is the highest increase in the last ten years. A milestone was reached recently with the 13,000th aircraft being entered on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register. The aircraft was VH-NRW, a Eurocopter AS.350B2. The registration holder and registered operator is Pacific Crown Helicopters from Caloundra.

The numbers of multi-engine jets, turboprops above 5,700kg and helicopters all grew during the last year, as did the number of single engine aeroplanes up to 5,700kg. This reflects the strong growth in the airline sector and the higher value of the Australian dollar which makes imported aircraft more affordable. The Australian Civil Aircraft Register was established on 28 June 1921 and included 51 aircraft. VH registration marks were introduced in 1929.

Visit the aircraft register.

New warning on aircraft registration

Aircraft owners have been warned it is vital to follow all the registration requirements when transferring the ownership of an aircraft. If the registration requirements are not followed CASA may be forced to cancel an aircraft’s current registration, which then automatically cancels the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. Without a certificate of airworthiness an aircraft cannot be flown. CASA has posted clear advice about aircraft ownership transfer on its web site, including the requirement to advise CASA using the appropriate forms.

People selling aircraft must provide CASA with formal notification that they have transferred ownership within 14 days of the sale. A form must be completed by the former and new owners and be submitted by the former owner. The new owner must then apply to CASA within 14 days to become the registration holder. If this application is not made then CASA must cancel the aircraft’s registration. Getting an aircraft back on the register with a new certificate of airworthiness can be expensive.

Read the full transfer of registration requirements.

Emergency beacon rules on the move

CASA has set up a project to oversee changes to the regulations covering emergency locator transmitters. The rules must be changed as a result of the impending switch-over in the international satellite system that detects emergency locator transmitters. From 1 February 2009 the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system will no longer detect beacons which transmit only on frequencies 121.5 and 243 MHz. Instead, only beacons which transmit on frequency 406 MHz will be detected. It is an International Civil Aviation Organization requirement that from July this year that all aircraft are to carry at least one 406 MHz beacon.

Current Australian regulations require the carriage of the 121.5 beacons for aircraft operating beyond 50 nautical miles from their point of departure. The Civil Aviation Orders require 243 MHz beacons to be carried on aircraft required to be fitted with life rafts for over water flights. This means Australian rules will be out-of-step with international requirements unless amended. The CASA project will look to simplify the current emergency locator transmitter requirements by including coverage of high capacity regular public transport and charter operations in the new regulations.

Find out more about the ELT project.

Get your DVD on satellite navigation skills

Pilots wanting to brush up on their global navigation satellite systems skills now have a special DVD they can watch. CASA has produced the new DVD to help pilots use satellite navigation with safety and confidence. It covers an overview of the technology, system architecture, system limitations and human factors. The DVD builds on a detailed booklet issued by CASA which sets out how satellite navigation systems work and relevant regulatory approvals. The booklet also provides advice on using both the systems and equipment. In particular, CASA warns pilots that satellite navigation equipment can be a distraction from maintaining situational awareness, as well as developing complacency about potential errors.

The DVD can be purchased on-line as part of a pilot kit on global navigation satellite systems for only $5.50. This includes the booklet.

Get your copy of the GNSS DVD here.

Watch out for pipe fatigue

Operators and maintainers of aircraft with copper alloy pipes are being warned to be on the watch out for fatigue failure. CASA has received a report of an in-flight failure of a copper fuel line, which led to a large fuel leak and engine failure. The problem with the pipe was caused by what is known as ‘work hardening’. This results from normal engine vibration over time, damage to pipes during maintenance or from over tightening during installation.

CASA recommends that all copper alloy pipes be inspected during periodic inspections for any damage or leakage. It is also recommended that any copper pipe that has been in service for more than 10 years or 10,000 hours be replaced. Pipes showing damage or leakage should also be replaced.

Read the airworthiness bulletin about copper pipes.

Faulty fuel caps a big danger

The dangers of water entering aircraft fuel systems due to faulty or damaged fuel filler caps or filler systems have been highlighted in new advice from CASA. Maintainers and pilots are warned to be on the lookout for problems with aircraft fitted with upward-facing or side-facing fuel filler openings and neck areas. The warning follows a fatal accident in the United Kingdom where a Piper Tomahawk suffered an engine stoppage during climb which was linked to probable water contamination of the fuel. The aircraft had been parked in heavy rain and water leaked into the tank due to a faulty fuel cap locking mechanism.

Maintainers and pilots are told to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the inspection of the fuel filler cap and filler neck area. Where these instructions are not available for the aircraft CASA has provided a series of recommendations. These cover both periodic maintenance and pre-flight inspections.

Read the fuel contamination airworthiness bulletin.

Find out how we make new rules

CASA has issued a new manual covering the processes involved in developing safety regulations, standards and methods of compliance. The Regulatory Development Management Manual sets out the requirements for making regulations, as well as providing procedural instructions. In addition, it provides an overview of the requirements CASA must meet in terms of consultation on regulatory change. The philosophy behind CASA’s development of new rules is set out as: “CASA is committed to cooperating with the aviation community to maintain and enhance aviation safety. This is reflected in CASA regulatory development activities that are transparent, inclusive and consistently applied.”

The Manual says that regulatory development in CASA is based on a structured and focussed approach to problem identification and risk management. It says consultation is carried out at each stage of regulatory development, including during the development of policy, concepts and legislative options. More formal consultation begins once technical and policy options have been assessed thoroughly and recommendations for change identified. Consultation is in line with the extent and nature of proposed changes – with minor amendments not subject to a full consultative process.

Access the Regulatory Development Manual.