[Peetwo]

Su_Spence December bollocks briefing; & 6 month late reply to Sandy's MP?? -   

Via the Su_Spence propaganda HQ: Previous reference - Is it time for CASA to be disbanded as a independent statutory authority??

Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence

We're finishing a busy year at CASA with a burst of activity that includes the release of consultations in areas ranging from aerial agriculture to sports aviation and engineer licensing.

Our last consultation for this year is on changes to the way aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) can get a licence under Part 66 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR).

We're looking at changes to help address the skills shortage by making it easier for people considering a career in this crucial aspect of aviation to obtain licences and start working as licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs).

The proposal reflects industry feedback about the inflexibility of the Part 66 licensing system, particularly compared to the previous CAR 31 five-category licence process.

A person training to be a LAME currently must complete all the competencies for a broad scope of privileges to obtain a B1 or B2 licence and start working as a licensed engineer.

The proposal we are testing with industry makes that training 'modular' so that people wanting to qualify as a LAME can obtain a licence sooner on specific subsets, such as piston engines or helicopter airframes, by completing the relevant training modules and gaining the required experience.

In order to expedite introduction, CASA is proposing the use of exclusions in the first stage.

These exclusions would mean a LAME whose licence covers work on piston engines, for example, would not be able work on airframes or other systems without completing the relevant training modules and experience.

We are testing with industry our view that this initiative will help address the shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers being seen globally by making it quicker and easier for people to start working.

In the past year, we continued to bed down the flight operations rules as we dealt with a flood of applications from pilots, engineers and operators after COVID restrictions eased.

In May, we released our General Aviation Workplan, a major program continuing into 2023 and aimed at easing pressure on the GA community.

Completed initiatives range from examiner proficiency checks and flight examiner rating courses to industry, the creation of a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’ and expanded privileges for Grade 1 training endorsement holders.

Not everything went ‘according to Hoyle’ but when there were delays and changes, we explained why and what we were doing about them. 

Other 2022 highlights included:

• the launch in July of our RPAS and Advanced Air Mobility Strategic Regulatory Roadmap after extensive consultation with industry
  
• the transition of almost all previously registered aerodromes to certified status under Part 139
  
• the launch in August of our new pilot safety campaign
  
• industry outreach by the senior leadership team and board members with board meetings in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra as well as visits to Bankstown, Armidale and Tamworth
  
• the transition of more services into our myCASA online portal to make it a more secure, one-stop destination for a range of applications and interactions with CASA
  
• one of the busiest years ever for our Office of Airspace Regulation with a string of airspace reviews, work with the fledgling space industry and the issue of more than 200 legislative instruments
  
• a big year for our medical staff domestically and on the international stage.
  

None of this would be possible without input from industry and I would particularly like to thank members of the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel and current technical working groups for their invaluable help during the year.

An issue we look at constantly is how we engage with industry. We’re finishing the year by making it easier for people both within the organisation and externally to engage.

This includes confirming with staff at the local level that they can manage routine work and interactions with operators in their communities.

I believe we’re finishing the year in a better space than when we started and we’ve done what we said we would do or, where there have been delays, we have been open about the cause and confirmed we have it underway.

Our journey with industry continues and 2023 will be another busy year but for now, I’d like to wish you all an enjoyable Christmas break and all the best for the New Year.

All the best,

Pip

Via the AP email chains:

Good Morning Sandy,

Please see attached a response from CASA.

Kind regards,

Lauren

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And Sandy's response to the Su_Spence weasel words:

..Lauren thank you for the response that makes reference to my otherwise unanswered letter from June to CASA CEO Ms. Spence. 

Please advise Dan that the letter failed to mention the Beechcraft wing bolts issue that is costing owners many thousands of dollars unnecessarily.

Furthermore the letter talks about reform of medical certification standards for “recreational” pilots. This reference is misleading because recreational pilots, in particular those members of Recreational Aviation Australia, some 10,000 strong, already have a proven satisfactory self certification car driver standard. This cohort has flown to this standard for more than thirty years.

In other words the letter strongly indicates that the author is not across the facts pertaining to the current situation in regard to the issues. 

Medical certification reform must apply to all private pilots, many of whom fly for business and contribute to employment directly and indirectly in the use of General Aviation aircraft.

There is no outstanding case to consider for reform that has so many years of experience in Australia and overseas and measures should be introduced as a matter of urgency to help stem the decline of GA.

Regards,

Sandy

Plus:

..A nothing answer from CASA with careless disregard for the pressing problems of GA, an attempt to counter the fact that CASA doesn’t care to answer questions.  As for CASA’s ‘Work Plan,’ it should be renamed the ’Look Busy Do Nothing Plan.’

Season’s Greetings and hope 2023 is a good year for you,

Best, Sandy

MTF...P2