[Peetwo]

The Last Minute Hitch: 24 March 2023

24 March 2023

– Steve Hitchen

Aviation loves an anniversary party. They're moments to celebrate longevity and success, something that has eluded many GA start-ups along aviation's historical timeline. This year there seems to quite an accumulation of anniversaries right across the GA spectrum. In the helicopter world, Sikorsky is turning 100 and Robinson 50. Business jet maker Dassault celebrates 60 years this year, and it has been 75 years since the Pascale brothers completed their first aeroplane. It has been 40 years since recreational aviation in Australia became a formal thing, first with the Australian Ultralight Federation and now with RAAus. So there's a stack of reasons for the industry to celebrate right there. And there's another. A certain GA magazine, which was founded in 1963 is, of course, turning 60 itself. It's been a hell of a ride for Australian Flying, but you get the feeling the journey is a long way from over. We're going to mark the milestone a bit later this year with a special edition, so keep your eyes out for that one. Are there anymore major milestones coming up this year? If so, let us know.

"..some people believe a modular system will water down LAME qualifications.."

It's not surprising that the GA MRO industry generally supports the move to modular licences based on exclusions. It has the potential to unclog the training pipeline a bit and put more hands on spanner sooner. To summarise, a Part 66 engineer licence can be issued before the candidate has studied all the modules relating to GA maintenance. They just can't work on the systems they haven't qualified for. This means people can get to work sooner and worry about adding other qualifications down the track. An engineer will be able to work on a Victa Airtourer without having had to study retractable undercart systems, or do a 100-hourly on a Bonanza without being qualified on pressurisation. It will get people working on basic aircraft quicker. But a majority of support is not consensus, and some people believe a modular system will water down LAME qualifications and become unworkable in some circumstances. For example, an engineer with powerplant qualifications, but not airframe, can't sign-off on a new maintenance release for a C172 because an annual inspection requires work on both. However, qualifications are one thing; employability is another, and if MROs don't want an engineer who has only powerplant or only airframe, then they'll turn them around and tell them to come back later. I have faith that the MRO industry will find a happy spot with this provided they are given the opportunity, which it seems CASA is going to hand them.

David Bell was a giant of the general aviation community; a bloke with relentless passion for aviation and over half a century of experience dealing with operators, customers and government departments. His death this week means aviation has lost one of its most ardent advocates and a gentleman of the old school. You don't get to be around GA for 50+ years and not accumulate a plethora of great yarns, especially when part of your career was spent in PNG. It didn't take much to tickle the stories out of Dave; he always had a good one locked and loaded, ready to fire off in your direction at an industry reception or around the dinner table. He knew his stuff. He knew the people, the machines and the market place. He wrote the Down to Business column for Australian Flying for three years and he did with enthusiasm. Dave was an asset to us and we knew it. If I ever needed to clarify something or needed expert opinion or feedback, one phone call to Dave would do it. There was a lot he did in the background that probably didn't garner the accolades that it should have. I suppose that was what the OAM was for. Thanks, Dave. We are better off for you having been a part of us.

Pilot supply company FlightStore has come up with a doozy of a competition. It gives you the chance to win a Bose A20 noise canceling headset worth $1870. This model is often thought of as the pinnacle of aviation headsets, and you have the chance to get one on your head absolutely free. FlightStore has donated the prize as a competition to correspond with our current March-April issue, so entries are open until 30 April. All it takes is to go to the Australian Flying website, fill in your details and answer the simplest question you'll ever be asked. That's all it might take for you to rock up for you next flight carrying a Bose A20. Get onto it now. And on the subject of competitions ...

Australian Flying has teamed up with PilotTrain to create a competition where you could win one of five copies of Jim Davis' new book Flight Tests. This book is in my own library and is a valuable document that gives you an insider's view of how to pass a flight test, no matter how nervous you might be. Flight Tests will arm you with weapons to impress the examiner, especially in the small airmanship matters that you don't think they're watching for. Examiners all over Australia will be unimpressed that Jim has given away so many secrets! To enter the draw to get a free copy, go to the Australian Flying website and fill in your details. Entries close on 14 April. Good luck.

May your gauges always be in the green,

Hitch

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Plus:

CASA to introduce Part 66 Licences based on Exclusions

23 March 2023



The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) said today that it would introduce modular LAME licences based on exclusions after industry feedback to a discussion paper showed significant support for the concept.

Modular licencing would permit engineers to be licenced under CASR Part 66 without having to study a wide range of aircraft systems that may not be required for their intended careers.

It is thought that modular licences would get more engineers qualified to work on basic aircraft sooner, helping relieve ongoing engineer shortages in the industry.

Of the 60 submissions to the discussion paper (DP), 90% supported the idea either wholly or with some changes.

"Consistent with the feedback from industry and the [Technical Working Group], CASA will seek to expedite the delivery of the core beneficial outcomes of this proposal," CASA said today.

"To achieve this, CASA will develop a legislative proposal that will facilitate modular licensing outcomes using exclusions. This approach will also provide more flexible pathways in other cases, including Australian trainees, that cannot access certain systems to gain practical experience, as well as recognition of foreign licences and defence authorisations.

"In order to expedite these outcomes, the status quo will be maintained on some requirements, such as minimum experience requirements and propeller exclusions. These requirements will be considered in more detail in later phases of this initiative after the core outcomes are achieved."

Exclusions were designed to help engineers move between CAR 31 and Part 66 licences. They have the potential to be used to facilitate licensing, particularly in cases where an applicant can't achieve the necessary experience in particular systems, as is common in regional areas.

CASA also believes that exclusions may help with accepting foreign engineer qualifications.

One of the key criticisms of the original proposals was that not enough exclusions were proposed. The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) initially said the exclusions meant the proposal was "watered down".

"Seven respondents [to the DP] called for expanded use of the full range of exclusions, to maximise flexibility and licensing outcomes," CASA said. "In particular, reference was made to providing for a licence to be obtained without needing practical experience on systems that are not accessible or not applicable to a person's employment, such as air conditioning, pressurisation and retractable undercarriage.

"The proposal in the DP is framed around the use of exclusions, in the first instance, in order to expedite delivery of the intended benefits and outcomes.

"However, CASA acknowledges that some industry stakeholders do not agree with the use of exclusions in any context."
The full response to the feedback including public submissions is on the CASA Consultation Hub.

Sandy in reply, via AP email chains:

An unusual pang of conscience, or perhaps consciousness, on the part of our regulator? A change of rules with the sensibility that maintenance is a precursor to safety, let alone a healthy GA industry.

Maybe CASA Airworthiness has persuaded Ms. Spence that there’s an urgency out there in GA because a cohort of older and experienced LAMES are retiring and not being replaced ? Otherwise I wonder why would the rules be changed by the oft used ploy of CASA to provide “exemptions.”

CASA’s remit is primarily for the safety of aviation, the “primacy” of safety is the law. Of course this is an idiotic concept because if taken literally all aircraft would be fitted with ejector seats if not grounded in the interests of ‘safety.’ If only a government would intervene and imbue our dysfunctional independent regulator with the obvious and otherwise world recognised standard which decides what is acceptable risk for operational requirements and to qualify maintenance people. The latter whose livelihood depends on their work and reputation, measured as they are by their customers.

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Answer to Hitch re P66 he says maybe Spence initiated the reform.

If the boss was the driver we would have medical reform by now. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Cessna SIDs have been removed and the Part 66 change is another important reform in the same area.

Medical reform has been a glaring necessity since we were given the Clayton’s version by Mr. Carmody about seven years ago and Ms. Spence has had more than enough time to get on with it.

In addition the woeful effects of Parts 61 licensing has only had minor tinkering and Parts 141/142 flying schools is still a disaster that has reduced the number of flying schools including not one iota of compromise, let alone compensation for the the CASA smashing of Glen Buckley’s perfectly working flying school umbrella business.

Contrast the many sensible practices in the USA that ensure a viable GA industry. Independent instructors don’t need 141/142 approvals. Instructors need no medical if teaching students who have soloed. There’s no compulsory training syllabus, but there is a thorough test, and not filling a PPL logbook is not any kind of sin. A rational BasicMed for PPL which includes IFR, and the list goes on and on.

Two years of Ms. Spence in charge of around 800 employees, numerous easy reforms that could and should have been accomplished already that would help Australia’s sick aviation sector on a pathway to recovery.

MTF...P2