The Board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) meets six times per calendar year to fulfil its obligations under Section 53 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to decide the objectives, strategies and policies to be followed by CASA; and to ensure that CASA performs its functions in a proper, efficient and effective manner.
The CASA Board met in Perth on 19 October 2022. Prior to the meeting, the Board hosted an evening event for participants from all sectors of the aviation industry located in Western Australia (WA). These informal events are being held around the country when the Board meets away from Canberra. It provides the opportunity for industry members to discuss any matters of concern with the CASA Board in a relaxed and informal environment. Members of the CASA Executive team and the local Perth Office also attended. This event had a good cross representation including GA, RPT, Charter, Flying Schools, AMOs and RPAS, and the Board enjoyed the frank and respectful interaction with a number of local operators.
Before the industry event, the CASA Board was pleased to receive presentations from two dynamic local companies: FlyonE, a company working towards an electric GA future, flying small electric aeroplanes for pilot licensing as well as creating an aviation charging network, with the capability to deliver products and services related to electric aviation; and Innovaero, an advanced technologies and aircraft maintenance organisation that supplies aeronautical product development and manufacturing. The Board and management also discussed CASA’s future international engagement strategy, and the influential role CASA staff play on numerous ICAO working groups.
CASA Board meetings follow a theme-based agenda focusing on organisational matters and operational matters that affect the aviation industry. The organisational matters centre around CASA’s corporate governance, financial position, the status of major projects, cyber security issues, organisational culture, WH&S and workforce planning. The Board received a briefing from the Chair of the People and Culture Sub-Committee and discussed matters relevant to CASA’s workforce. The Board also received standing reports from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Industry Complaints Commissioner.
CASA’s Executive Management Team provided updates on a range of operational initiatives. The Board discussed matters relating to the scope of the surveillance framework under the reformed national model and discussed progress against the GA Workplan. There was a focused discussion on the process for CASR Part 67 medicals and CASA’s proposed plan to reform Class 2 medical standards and associated simplification of processing. CASA is looking to leverage the Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) capability to greater effect and use more evidence and data in shaping the future of aviation medicine regulatory decision making.
Outside the meeting, the Board visited Premiair Aviation, an Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider located at Jandakot. This provided a great opportunity to see Premiair’s facilities, meet the management team, and discuss firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the maintenance sector.
The next meeting of the CASA Board will be held in Canberra on 7 December 2022.