The CASA BriefingDear AAEP Students,
Please be reminded to bring along with all navigation tools (Flight
computer/electronic calculator/pencil/rubber,etc.) and the attached exercise to
the coming class on 4 Jan 2010 !
AAEP
The CASA Briefing
Your monthly CASA update
December 2009
From Director of Aviation Safety
John McCormick
As 2009 draws to a close there are many positive things to reflect on in
Australian aviation. We still boast one of the safest aviation systems in the
world, the economic downturn did not affect aviation as badly as first feared
and the Federal Government has released its blueprint for the future, the
Aviation White Paper. For CASA this means our core responsibilities of
protecting and enhancing safety remain as important as ever, while we must also
look ahead to the areas of growth and advancement in aviation that are on the
horizon. A key focus for CASA must always be safety oversight and surveillance,
with the areas of highest risk given appropriate priority. We will be striving
to deliver these core functions even more effectively in the year ahead by
providing additional training and support for our staff, ensuring the best
targeting of our resources and activities and continually improving the way we
operate. Work on developing new standards and regulations remains a high
priority, with a number of the key parts of the Civil Aviation Safety
Regulations now well advanced. CASA will stay abreast of change within the
aviation industry by carefully analysing safety and operational data to look
for trends and emerging risks which need to be addressed. In addition, we will
continue to strive to be as efficient as possible in the processes we utilise
to deliver regulatory services, while never losing sight of safety objectives.
The goals I established for CASA during 2009 will remain the driving
force for the New Year. They are: focusing on CASA’s core function of
regulating aviation safety, strengthening governance, the best possible
training and deployment of staff and completing regulatory reform in a timely
manner. Recently, I told staff that I had taken the foot off the change and
improvement pedal a little in the last months of this year as we bedded down
the reforms that have already been put in place. I have promised our staff, and
the aviation industry, the pace of change will pick up in the New Year. Our
commitment is to do our very best to lift aviation safety in Australia to even
higher levels.
Please enjoy the Christmas-New Year holidays and if you are flying be
cautious and put safety first. Remember, plan your flights thoroughly, make
timely and careful decisions and always think ahead.
Best wishes
John F McCormick
Aviation White Paper
CASA is being allocated extra funding for safety surveillance and
oversight as a result of the Federal Government’s National Aviation Policy
Statement, released by Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony
Albanese this month. An additional $3.8 million is being directed to CASA in
the current financial year for surveillance of helicopter operations,
surveillance of foreign operators that fly to Australia and the oversight of
low-cost operations and offshore maintenance. The funding will be used to
recruit additional specialised technical staff. As part of the government’s
review of CASA’s long term funding, regulatory fees will be capped at a total
of $15 million a year, subject to an adjustment for CPI increases, for at least
five years. The Policy Statement says: “The Government recognises that a
“user-pays” approach offers efficiencies for the resourcing of CASA services.
However, this cap implements the Government’s commitment to address the burden
of regulatory charges, in particular on regional and general aviation.”
Emerging safety issues are addressed in the Policy Statement, with seven
areas identified. These are monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of
safety management systems, aging aircraft, the regulation of dangerous goods,
the shortage of key personnel such as pilots and engineers, safety in remote
regions, the regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles and improvements to the
self-administration of sports aviation. In relation to sports aviation the
Policy Statement says: “To improve the sport and recreational sector’s capacity
to self-administer, CASA will be introducing a strategic framework that ensures
the sector does not expose non-participants or their property to unacceptable
risks and allows for future growth of the sector. A Sports Aviation Office will
be created to oversee the sector, and a safety forum introduced to assist
information exchange within the sector itself and between it and the safety
regulator regarding operational and maintenance standards in the sector. CASA
will also implement a Sport Aviation Safety Network to assist
self-administering organisations in implementing risk reduction strategies and
to integrate oversight between CASA, self-administering organisations and
industry operators.”
A number of objectives for aviation safety are set out in the Statement,
with regulation to be robust and based on clear communication between
government and industry. The Statement says: “While the safety of the
travelling public will be the first consideration, unnecessary or outdated
impediments to industry’s growth will be removed. The Government will use the
following principles in its approach to aviation safety:
a.. The Government will ensure Australia’s safety regulatory and
investigatory agencies remain world leading and have the skills and
capabilities to maintain safety and facilitate the industry’s growth.
b.. Regulation of safety will take account of best international
practice and where possible Australian requirements will be aligned with
relevant overseas practices.
c.. Australian safety agencies will explore opportunities to adopt
technologies that improve safety, and work with industry to implement them.”
Read the National Aviation Policy Statement.
Changes at GAAP aerodromes
Modifications are being made to the recently introduced requirements for
operations at general aviation aerodrome procedures (GAAP) airports. From 18
January 2010 the maximum number of aeroplanes operating in the circuit and
undertaking circuit operations will be increased from six to eight. This
applies to aircraft under the control of one air traffic controller. Traffic
arriving and departing the GAAP control zone will be managed by air traffic
control, with no limitation on numbers imposed by CASA.
These changes follow a review initiated by CASA into the current
aeroplane circuit cap of six. The review included a series of workshops at the
GAAP aerodromes to gather the views of operators and aerodrome users on the
cap. CASA has determined that an increase in the circuit cap is warranted on
the basis that pilots and operators now have a heightened awareness of the
operational risks associated with flying at GAAP aerodromes.
Earlier this year CASA announced the airspace classification at the six
GAAP aerodromes – Archerfield, Bankstown, Camden, Moorabbin, Parafield and
Jandakot – would be changed to class D. It is now anticipated this new airspace
classification will take effect from 3 June 2010. The commencement date aligns
with the aviation documentation amendment cycle and will ensure all
publications and charts include the new procedures. Australia will be adopting
class D procedures based upon the US Federal Aviation Administration class D
procedures.
Find out more about the GAAP changes.
Broome and Karratha get ATC
Broome and Karratha aerodromes are to get class D air traffic control
services from late 2010. CASA has issued determinations for both locations to
become controlled aerodromes, with air traffic services to be delivered by
Airservices Australia. Broome and Karratha are currently classified as class G
airspace, with no air traffic control services. A certified air/ground radio
operator provides support at Broome. A study of air traffic at Broome found
aircraft movements are expected to rise by about five per cent annually, from a
current level of more than 36,000 movements a year. A similar study at Karratha
found aircraft movements are currently more than 30,000 a year and rising. In
both cases CASA determined that to maintain safety, particularly for passenger
carrying operations, air traffic control towers should be established.
Work is now being undertaken to design and finalise the relevant airspace
and control zones. At the same time Airservices Australia will plan and develop
the air traffic control towers and train staff. CASA is working with
Airservices Australia to get control services operating at both locations by
November 2010.
Read more about Broome’s air traffic control.
Find out more about Karratha.
Thousands attend 09 safety seminars
More than 4000 pilots took part in CASA’s popular AvSafety seminars
during 2009. There were 96 seminars, mainly held in regional centres. Venues
ranged from hangars and aero clubs to under the outback stars from the back of
a ute. There were 12 seminar topics on offer, including situational awareness,
controlled flight into terrain, violations of controlled airspace, fuel related
accidents and airmanship. As well as delivering the seminars, CASA’s 12 person
team of safety advisors made 1215 on-site visits to aviation organisations and
personnel. These visits covered a wide range of safety and regulatory issues
and provided valuable education and training for pilots, engineers and other
aviation personnel. Planning for safety education and training in 2010 is well
advanced, with a number of changes to be introduced. A key initiative will be
structuring programs so that aviation personnel can tailor their education to
the types of operations they undertake. Greater use will be made of the
internet for education delivery.
CASA takes a holiday break
Please remember CASA will be closed over the Christmas-New Year holidays.
All regular services will close at the end of business on December 24 and CASA
will re-open on Monday 4 January 2010. During the closure it will not be
possible to renew licences or medicals, make changes to certificates or obtain
other permissions. If you will need these regulatory services over the
Christmas-New Year period, please contact CASA right now. Naturally, CASA will
be on call to help with any urgent and unavoidable requests and to address
safety issues. However, the holiday on-call resources are limited and priority
will always be given to urgent aviation safety matters. If you need to contact
CASA during the holiday shutdown period please ring the switchboard number –
131 757 – and follow the prompts. For any urgent airspace requests please ring
02 6217 1177 which is staffed 24 hours per day.
Find more information on the Christmas shutdown.
Get safe, get DVDs and posters
The potentially life saving DVD ‘weather to fly’ is now available from
CASA’s on-line store. The DVD, which takes pilots through a wide range of
issues relating to aviation weather, had been out of stock. It can be obtained
for simply the cost of postage. A 20 minute segment on the DVD looks at the
dangers of flying into instrument meteorological conditions while operating
under visual flight rules, how to plan to avoid flying into cloud and what to
do if caught out. Another segment examines the specific weather conditions for
the different states and territories. There are also five real life stories
told by pilots who got themselves into trouble with weather while flying. The
key messages for visual flight rules pilots centre on flight planning, good
decision making and asking air traffic control for help when in trouble.
CASA has also restocked a series of five posters on helicopter safety.
These cover topics such as spatial disorientation, wires, fatigue, alcohol and
drugs. The posters are ideal for all helicopter operators and flying schools.
They can be purchased from the CASA on-line store for the cost of postage only.
Visit the on-line store to order the DVD and posters.
CASA opens new Torres Strait office
The first of CASA’s new northern Australian satellite offices has been
officially opened. Federal MP for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, opened the Horn
Island office this month. The Horn Island office is one of four northern
Australian satellite offices CASA has set up to increase the regulator’s
presence across Cape York, the Torres Strait, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley.
Other offices are at Gove, Kununurra and Broome. Almost 1000 pilots, 180
aircraft and 52 air operators are based in these regions. In addition, there
are many pilots and aircraft that operate through the regions on a seasonal
basis. CASA staff will use the new offices as work-bases for audits, safety
surveillance of operations and education and training. The offices will mean
CASA inspectors and other staff can work more efficiently and effectively,
while having a comfortable location to meet with people from the aviation
industry as required.
Bundaberg and Horn Island airspace reviews
The results of reviews of airspace and safety at Bundaberg and Horn
Island aerodromes in Queensland have been published. Both reviews were carried
out by CASA’s Office of Airspace Regulation as part its regular program of
reviewing airspace classifications. At Bundaberg, which is a non-controlled
aerodrome in class G airspace, the review found the airspace classification is
appropriate for the volume and complexity of traffic. It also found the level
of air traffic services and facilities is appropriate. The review recommended
that airspace users and the aerodrome operator ask for an RNAV/GNSS approach be
designed for runway 32 and that the aerodrome operator investigate providing a
grass taxiway suitable for ultralight and light aircraft.
The review of Horn Island, which is also a non-controlled aerodrome in
class G airspace, found the airspace classification and level of air traffic
services was appropriate. Recommendations included the development of a
parallel taxiway or holding bay at the thresholds for runway 08/26, looking at
extending the common traffic advisory frequency boundary and investigating
setting up a very high frequency air traffic service station on Yorke Island or
Yam Island.
Read the full Bundaberg and Horn island airspace reports.
Cirrus crack inspections
Operators and maintainers of Cirrus SR20 and SR22 aircraft are being
advised to carry out inspections of the nose landing gear strut. This follows
numerous reports of cracking in the upper sections of the strut, around the
support gusset and strut attachment welds. For both the SR20 and SR22 CASA
recommends that operators and maintainers make a detailed inspection of the
area around the fillet weld between the upper gusset plate and attachment arms
in accordance with a Cirrus mandatory service bulletin as well as Cirrus
inspection instructions. On the SR20 it is recommended that continued
inspections of the nose landing gear strut be carried out or the gear be
replaced with an improved strut when it is available. For the SR22 inspections
should continue and the gear should be reinforced in accordance with a Cirrus
approved repair. CASA wants all cases of cracking to be reported through the
service difficulty reporting system.
Read the Cirrus airworthiness bulletin.
Advice on changing airspace design
The aviation industry is to be given new guidance material on airspace
design. CASA has set up a project to develop a range of advisory circulars on
key airspace change issues. These may include general guidance for the
preparation of airspace change proposals, guidance for airspace risk management
assessments, advice on conducting an aeronautical study and information on the
design of controlled airspace. Other advisory circulars will cover the design
of prohibited, restricted and danger areas for airborne and surface activities
and guidance for environmental assessments. The advisory circulars on
prohibited, restricted and danger areas will be valuable for aviation
organisations and others who have the need to request conditions on flights in
particular airspace. The guidance material is being developed as there is
currently little material available to provide support for proponents of
changes to airspace or the means to comply with the airspace rules and
instructions.
Find out more about the airspace project.
AOC holders to be surveyed in January
The fourth and latest round of CASA’s safety questionnaires for the
holders of air operator’s certificates is being conducted next month. For the
past two years air operators have been surveyed every six months to ensure CASA
holds accurate and up-to-date operational information on the aviation industry.
The focus of the surveys is on air operators that carry passengers, although
all commercial activities are covered. The survey being held in January 2010
is more detailed than the last and will extend to all air operators, except
high capacity regular public transport. This survey asks for data on operations
during the second half of 2009. CASA anticipates the survey should take air
operators who have maintained ongoing data of their activities only about 15 to
20 minutes to complete. The collection of detailed and accurate operational
data is vital so that CASA can undertake effective safety analysis, prioritise
activities and target safety support and education. Holders of air operator’s
certificates will receive further information from CASA before the survey
begins.
To find out more about the AOC survey email: AOCsurvey@xxxxxxxxxxx
CASA's website
a.. Current rules update
b.. Proposed new rules
c.. Airworthiness updates
d.. Policy notice update
e.. Licences and registration
f.. Changing address?
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We want your comments and ideas on safety regulation, CASA's performance
or this newsletter. Send us feedback.
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If you want to look at past editions of this newsletter click here.
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If you believe aviation safety is at risk, call the CASA safety hotline.
Ring 1800 074 737.
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If your aircraft has a serious or major defect make sure you report it to
CASA. Forms and information are on the CASA web site.
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Find out how CASA's safety advisors provide safety education, training
and advice to the aviation industry.
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Do you need to renew your Aviation Security Identification Card?
Everything you need to know, including the right forms, is online.
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Looking to contact CASA’s Industry Complaints Commissioner? Find out how
here.
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If you have a question or request about licensing or aircraft
registration remember you can email the CASA Licensing and Registration Centre:
clarc@xxxxxxxxxxx
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Do you know the easiest way to find the CASA office closest to you?
Simply go to our national map and click on your region. Use this link.
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There's a special number for contacting CASA's Office of Airspace
Regulation outside of normal business hours. For urgent airspace requests call:
02 6217 1177.
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Do you need up-to-date and accurate official documents from CASA in your
aviation business? Then subscribe to the CASA CD-ROM Library. It includes the
Act, Regulations, Orders, CAAPs, ACs, Manuals of Standards, ADs, manuals and
forms. Full details.
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CASA has a wide range of challenging and interesting jobs. Find out about
the latest employment opportunities at CASA.
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Don’t miss out on CASA’s popular evening safety seminars for pilots. Find
the seminar calendar here.
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CASA’s self service portal is an on-line tool that makes doing business
with CASA easier. Find the portal here.
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There’s a special page on CASA’s web site to help international operators
flying in Australia. Find out everything about international operations.
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CASA's Safety Management Toolkit has been developed to provide aviation
industry organisations with information and practical advice to help establish
and maintain a safety culture in their operation. Videos and booklets are
available online.
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Need to keep up-to-date with what's happening with the regulation of
flying schools? Then keep an eye on CASA's web site flying training pages.
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CASA’s ever popular Flight Safety Australia magazine is online. View the
current edition and back issues here.
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Information and guidance is available for people applying for type
acceptance certificates for imported foreign aircraft. Read the advisory
circular.
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Completely revised information and guidance for people applying for a
special flight permit in Australia has been issued by CASA. Read the advisory
circular.
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