[Peetwo]

Hot off the Yaffa press -

 


RAAA urges New Effort in Reform Progress
26 August 2016

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) has called on the government to renew its efforts in reforming the CASA and to take positive action to harmonise Australia’s aviation safety regulations with the rest of the world.

The call comes in in the wake of last week's damning CASA customer satisfaction survey and the subsequent resignation of CASA CEO Mark Skidmore.

It is obvious that CASA needs to pick up its game

"With the announcement yesterday of the resignation of CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mark Skidmore AM, the RAAA sees it as essential that the CASA Board moves as quickly as possible to appoint an appropriately qualified successor to carry out the necessary reforms within CASA," the RAAA said in a statement released on Friday.

"The RAAA called for a new deal for Australia’s aviation industry in light of the poor results of an independent stakeholder relationship survey conducted on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)."

RAAA Chairman Jim Davis, commenting on the survey results, said that action was needed to prevent the recommendations of the Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) from falling by the wayside.

“It is obvious that CASA needs to pick up its game," Davis said. "It is now over 18 months since the ASRR report was adopted by the government but CASA has a long way to go in achieving its objectives.

“The Government now needs to take action to ensure that the ASRR report’s recommendations are effectively implemented and haven’t been turned into just another bureaucratic box ticking exercise."

The RAAA statement urged the government to review the progress of reforms stemming from the ASRR and to "direct CASA to harmonise Australia’s aviation safety regulations with overseas jurisdictions by removing the current red tape and unfair restrictions to competition suffered by Australian industry."

The full RAAA statement can be read on the link below.

RAAA Statement 26 August 2016

Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...bRiE5T5.99

RAAA CALLS FOR NEW DEAL

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) today called upon the Government to renew its efforts in reforming the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and to take positive action to harmonise Australia’s aviation safety regulations with the rest of the world.

With the announcement yesterday of the resignation of CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mark Skidmore AM, the RAAA sees it as essential that the CASA Board moves as quickly as possible to appoint an appropriately qualified successor to carry out the necessary reforms within CASA.

The RAAA called for a new deal for Australia’s aviation industry in light of the poor results of an independent stakeholder relationship survey conducted on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The survey indicated a general dissatisfaction by industry respondents in their overall relationship with the country’s aviation safety regulator. CASA was rated well below par in its ongoing dialogue with industry, consistency of decision making and, in particular, the development of aviation safety regulations.

The survey follows the Government’s Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) carried out in 2014 which identified a need for CASA to improve its service delivery and relationship with stakeholders. It found that CASA needed cultural change and a new strategic direction.

Commenting on the survey result RAAA Chairman, Jim Davis, said "It is obvious that CASA needs to pick up its game. It is now over 18 months since the ASRR report was adopted by the Government but CASA has a long way to go in achieving its objectives".

He added, "The Government now needs to take action to ensure that the ASRR report’s recommendations are effectively implemented and haven’t been turned into just another bureaucratic box ticking exercise".

The RAAA urges the Government to urgently commission a progress report into the implementation of the ASRR recommendations and to have it carried out by one or more of the original authors of the ASRR report.

It also calls upon the Government to direct CASA to harmonise Australia’s aviation safety regulations with overseas jurisdictions by removing the current red tape and unfair restrictions to competition suffered by Australian industry.

Media Contacts:

Jim Davis: 0408 640 533

Mike Higgins: 0434 608 332


Dated: Friday, 26 August 2016

MTF...P2

[Kharon]

There’s non as deaf etc.

Jim Davies – Mike Higgins and RAAA are yet another valuable asset and a great source of ‘free’, first class advice available to the minister.  They form part of heart and sole of aviation and along with their peers in the other ‘sane’ outfits are an invaluable resource. One which, IMO, is not only being under utilised, but when they do get a ‘meeting’ the advice is ‘cherry-picked’ to suit ‘the agenda’. That advice has also been hived off to be used as a part of a muddled recommendation which, some say deliberately, misses the industry point while being massaged into something which suits the departmental lizards vision.  

Gods luv ‘em; they keep trying; providing information and the sound advice which should be given to the minister from his ‘advisors’.  Why pay for and accept pony-pooh as gospel, when solid gold is freely offered, by industry experts, who have the knowledge, skill and expertise to make even Whatsisname a super star.

Seems crazy to me; but then WTD would I know about how the ministerial mind works – ‘tis a strange, alien world to me.  

Toot toot.

[Peetwo]

All quiet on the Western front, until..??- Dear Wing-nut show us your 'safety case'  

Reading between the lines with RAAA CEO Mike Higgins latest offensive on CAO 48.1 (in the Oz today), I wonder is there a bigger strategy at play and is CAO 48.1 the 'Perfect Storm'??

Wake up to fatigue alarmists
12:00amMIKE HIGGINS
In the name of greater air safety, Civil Aviation Order 48.1 proposes tighter regulations, but are they unwarranted?

Aviation’s Fatigue Risk Management System needs complete rethink

WA’s Royal Flying Doctor Service would have to employ 17 more pilots to comply with Civil Aviation Order 48.1.

• Mike Higgins
  
• The Australian
  
• 12:00AM September 23, 2016
  

[url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/aviations-fatigue-risk-management-system-needs-complete-rethink/news-story/724c19a35a59dd0a95a36b8beba23597#comments][/url]
It is time the Civil Aviation Safety Authority settled the fatigue risk management system debate once and for all.

The FRMS is designed to ensure flight crews are not subjected to the adverse effects of fatigue while on duty. The FRMS guides the design and management of rostering systems.

It also provides for crew education and awareness around lifestyle choices and the science behind sleep patterns.

The present regulations have provided a safe operational environment for regular public transport in regional Australian operations for many years.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau statistics support this contention.

CASA can design and make laws in several guises. One option is the drafting of civil aviation orders. The proposed rules must be put on hold and CASA needs to carry out a comprehensive review of the new regulations.

This should include a comparison with fatigue risk management rules in overseas jurisdictions such as the US, Europe and New Zealand.

The proposed fatigue rules contained in Civil Aviation Order 48.1 pertaining to Australian regional aviation are far more restrictive than in these countries and CASA has not provided any valid justification for such an unnecessary impost on the regional aviation industry.

For example, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (West Australian section) employs about 50 pilots. The new CAO 48.1 would mean it would have to employ an additional 17 pilots at a cost of $2.1 million every year, for no demonstrated safety outcome.

This is a completely unwarranted attack on one of the safest and most professionally managed organisations in the world.

The review must not be conducted on the CASA premise that fatigue is an unmitigated risk in the industry and simply examine whether CAO 48.1 will fix “the fatigue issue”. It must examine whether there is any empirical evidence that justifies the new CAO 48.1 rule set.

It is ironic that Australian regional operators are faced with the most restrictive and costly rules in the world yet operate in a far less fatigue-inducing environment than the US or Europe.

Everyone agrees that fatigue is a hazard that needs managing.

Everyone agrees that long-haul operations need a comprehensive FRMS.

Everyone who is actually working in the industry and operating in a prudent and safe manner understands the requirements and application of CAO 48.0 plus the standard industry exemptions.

Everyone (including the ATSB) who takes an objective view of the status quo agrees there are no unmitigated fatigue issues in regional Australian regular public transport operations.

CASA has yet to supply the Regional Aviation Association of Australia with a substantive supporting safety case despite three Freedom of Information requests.

Neither has CASA ever expended any effort to investigate the “state of the nation” and actually sit down with operators and their safety management systems and obtain the real data. CASA claims it simply does not have the resources for such action.

The wonderfully feel-good written communications from CASA very recently talks about collaboration, consultation, being a fair regulator, just culture and so on. This is at complete odds with what is actually happening.

As for any International Civil Aviation Organisation-compliant red herring argument, don’t be distracted.

We can easily establish that the status quo of SMS, 48.0 and the standard industry exemptions are ICAO-compliant.

The industry would welcome an independent review, but not simply of the efficacy of CAO 48.1 to manage fatigue. That is not our argument, never has been and never will be.
Any review needs to start right back at the beginning and establish if there is in fact an unmitigated risk that needs addressing.

We need a truly independent risk analysis to determine if there is in fact an unmitigated problem in the first place. We believe it would be best conducted by an overseas expert as we doubt there are any independent reviewers available in Australia. They all have a vested interest in the prosecution of CAO 48.1 as they stand to make significant windfalls from drafting myriad FRMS systems.

Any review should be well funded as just going to tender may result in the lowest cost option with the outcome not supported by the industry.

I wish CASA would listen to the industry, accept reality and announce a moratorium on the starting date of CAO 48.1. That way we can all take a step back from the brink, stop the public stoushes and take a more professional and cool-headed approach.

CASA got itself into this embarrassing position by assuming there was a problem and concocted CAO 48.1.

It remains a case of a sledgehammer looking for a shoe tack.

Mike Higgins is chief executive of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia

"..CASA has yet to supply the Regional Aviation Association of Australia with a substantive supporting safety case despite three Freedom of Information requests..."
Now there is a perfect quote for Senator X to take to the next Estimates and demand via the parliament the production of all safety case documentation in relation to CAO 48.1? - just a thought...
 
MTF...P2
Ps Hmm...wonder how long it will be before the Fort Fumble AFAP vermin/parasites, like member Worthless, get mobilised and start manipulating (i.e. threatening) the CASA-sexual section of the AFAP executive to attack the latest RAAA lobbying of CAO 48.1 - tick..tock punters lay your bets...

[Peetwo]

All quiet on the Western front, until..??- Dear Wing-nut show us your 'safety case'  

Reading between the lines with RAAA CEO Mike Higgins latest offensive on CAO 48.1 (in the Oz today), I wonder is there a bigger strategy at play and is CAO 48.1 the 'Perfect Storm'??

Wake up to fatigue alarmists
12:00amMIKE HIGGINS
In the name of greater air safety, Civil Aviation Order 48.1 proposes tighter regulations, but are they unwarranted?

Update: Much to the horror of some Pilot associations, it would appear that Higgins and the RAAA et.al may have had a major win/reprieve on CAO 48.1.

Via Binger in the Oz today:
 

CASA extends fatigue deadline
12:00amMITCHELL BINGEMANN
CASA is delaying its deadline for compliance with pilot flight and duty time limits for the second time in 14 months.

The Australian
12:00AM October 7, 2016

[/url][url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/Mitchell+Bingemann]Mitchell Bingemann
Reporter
Sydney
@Mitch_Hell
[img=0x0]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/author/4c134add4c3a9e4881f7841b69d9ac85/?esi=true&t_product=the-australian&t_template=s3/austemp-article_common/vertical/author/widget&td_bio=false[/img]
The aviation regulator is delaying its deadline for compliance with new pilot flight and duty time limits for the second time in 14 months, instead holding an ­independent review into the necessity of the rule changes.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said it had decided to delay the implementation of the rules after “extensive” feedback from the industry.

Operators will now have until May 2018 to comply with the new rules.

CASA said it would use the deadline extension to conduct an “independent and comprehensive” review of fatigue limits.

“CASA is committed to modernising and improving the safety regulation of fatigue and is encouraging a continued focus on fatigue management by air operators,” the regulator said.

About 50 of the nation’s 900 airline operators have transitioned across to new rules but under the extension, they will not be able to roll back to the previous rules.

Unions, airlines and lobby groups have been working with the regulator for more than five years to bring about the changes, prompted by Inter­national Civil Aviation Organisation recommendations.

ICAO recommended the rules reflected in Civil Aviation Order 48.1 after a series of accidents in which fatigue was deemed a significant factor.
Pilot fatigue has been cited as a factor in at least 12 accidents and 64 near-misses globally over the past 10 years, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau says.

The old fatigue rules defined flight and duty time limitations with no regard to the science behind fatigue. But the 48.1 rules are driven by research and oblige operators to document fatigue management policies and to continuously reassess and improve fatigue management.

The deadline extension is a win for airlines and lobby groups, which pushed back against the rules, saying they would increase their costs of ­operations.
Regional Express has claimed the new rules would cost it more than $4 million a year and could make some routes unviable.

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia described 48.1 as the “most restrictive aviation work and rest rule regime in the world” with no evidence-based safety justification for it.

Yesterday, RAAA chief Mike Higgins welcomed the extension and review but Australian and International Pilots Association president Nathan Safe slammed the decision to delay the rules, saying it would take Australia from “safety regulation heroes to Third World zeros”.

“The decision to delay full implementation by a further year merely prolongs the risk of more fatigue-related accidents in Australia,” he said. “Any impetus for operators to adopt modern ­fatigue risk-management processes has been removed and it may well be that overall compliance levels begin to fall under a publicly weakened regulator.”

In preparation to operate under CAO 48.1, air operators must submit draft operations manual changes or an application for a fatigue risk management system to CASA by October 31, 2017.

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Nathan Safety First;

"Australian and International Pilots Association president Nathan Safe slammed the decision to delay the rules, saying it would take Australia from “safety regulation heroes to Third World zeros”.

Priceless - 'Third World Zeros'!!

Perhaps CAsA can have that etched onto the back of their work uniforms and proudly wear it next time Uncle ICAO or FAA come to visit?

"Humorous catchphrases for all"

[Peetwo]

RAAA Convention: That's a wrap -

Summary of RAAA convention courtesy Avbiz... :

RAAA Conference wraps up in Hunter Valley
21 October 2016

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia’s 2016 national convention will close tonight with a gala dinner after two days of presentations and networking.
RAAA CEO Mike Higgins said this year’s event, set in the Hunter Valley, had “exceeded everybody’s expectations".

“The feedback we’ve got from people who have attended has been overwhelming,” he said. “The setting, the location, the context and atmosphere have all allowed delegates to freely exchange ideas.”

RAAA conventions are often characterised by robust debate, but Higgins believes bringing together key players from government and industry on controversial topics has always produced professional exchanges of ideas.

“We’re all here for the same reason, we’re all very passionate about aviation,” he said. “So it’s a safe environment for key government departments to come and join us.

“The only people here at the conference are those people that are professional, they have a lot of resources invested in their companies and they are more interested in safety than some regulators would ever be. So we’re interested in knowing where these various government departments are going in the future because we need to future proof ourselves.”

Higgins said the conference also provided a vital opportunity to build working relationships between various industry stakeholders.

“Every single government speaker who has presented today is presenting here for the first time,” he said. “So it’s a great encouraging time for a fresh start, for fresh engagement. And I can see that in the presenters themselves, they’re really happy to be here.”

Presentations and discussion topics ranged from new CAO48.1 fatigue regulation to the rise of remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), government regulation, possible future pilot and engineer shortages and safety.

New Acting Civil Aviation Safety Authority CEO Shane Carmody addressed the conference on Friday, beginning by removing any doubt about whether his position as “acting” CEO would limit his drive for progress.

“I have full authority, which I’ll use and full accountability, which I’ll wear for the decisions that I make and the decisions that go with the position,” he said. “My focus is on delivering a firm, fair and balanced aviation safety regulation system, promoting a positive and collaborative approach.”

In his opening address, RAAA Chairman Jim Davis said the conference was timely, coming soon after a raft of changes in regulation and personnel in prominent positions in the industry.

“The last year saw quite a few changes in senior management of major government authorities,” he said. “We have a new chief commissioner of the ATSB, we have a new aviation commissioner for the ATSB, a new CEO for CASA. And we have a new permanent head of Airservices Australia.”

He reiterated the RAAA’s three major targets in improving the industry for operators.

“First, it is time to implement some of the key recommendations of the ASRR report. Secondly, it is time for CASA to get a new direction and impetus from government to accomplish these changes. And thirdly, it is time to get serious about harmonisation with the regulations from other jurisdictions so that Australian industry can compete internationally on a level playing field.”


Read more at http://www.aviationbusiness.com.au/lates...vl22c7w.99

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Carmody the honest, Carmody the liar, or Carmody the insane?

The 'well ear endowed' one said;

“I have full authority, which I’ll use and full accountability, which I’ll wear for the decisions that I make and the decisions that go with the position,” he said. “My focus is on delivering a firm, fair and balanced aviation safety regulation system, promoting a positive and collaborative approach.”

Excluding the 'positive and collaborative' wank-word inclusion, I do like the rest. A promise to 'wear accountability' could be the foundation for forming a new CAsA. Accountability hasn't existed before, and government officers, bureaucrats and politicians are seldom held to account for anything, especially CAsA.

But perhaps there is some honesty in his statement? As I've said with previous appointments of people such as Truss, Chester, Skull, Skid'mark, Boyd, time always tells. But it would be a brave man to commit to the accountability of CAsA and not follow through on that commitment should any of their decisions turn pear shaped. The IOS and industry have been teetering on the edge of a virtual full collapse for some time. Many business are struggling. Many have gone to the wall. Many are facing extinction due to ridiculous and unworkable regulations and regulatory enforcement (bullying and pineapples in laymen terms), and many are no longer willing to put up with this untenable situation any longer. So a statement such as what Wingnut made, if NOT backed up if and when required, will be the match that finally ignites the forrest.

I've previously listed some action points that Wingnut needs to introduce so as to prove that his words are not bullshit. But the actual building blocks over the next 12 months need to include the appointment of Mike Smith as DAS, the unshackling of Boyd, the full implementation of the Forsyth recommendations, the halt to the failed 30 year/$300m regulatory reform farce, and include the introduction of a large working group (made up mostly from industry experts) to bring in the NZ regs as part of a 3 year/$50m project, completion date 2020. And the cherry on the cake will be the retirement of Aleck and his Golden West Mafia methodology supporters.

It's now over to you Shane. If you start now the smoke will have well and truly cleared before the next election campaign commences (great news for your bosses). Leave it much longer and your window of change will have closed, and the IOS scrutiny, frustration and growing voice will make you and your Masters existence even more uncomfortable.

TICK TOCK elephant ears

[Peetwo]

Who's who at the zoo...  

RAAA Convention: That's a wrap -

Summary of RAAA convention courtesy Avbiz... :

RAAA Conference wraps up in Hunter Valley
21 October 2016

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia’s 2016 national convention will close tonight with a gala dinner after two days of presentations and networking.

RAAA CEO Mike Higgins said this year’s event, set in the Hunter Valley, had “exceeded everybody’s expectations".

“The feedback we’ve got from people who have attended has been overwhelming,” he said. “The setting, the location, the context and atmosphere have all allowed delegates to freely exchange ideas.”

RAAA conventions are often characterised by robust debate, but Higgins believes bringing together key players from government and industry on controversial topics has always produced professional exchanges of ideas.

“We’re all here for the same reason, we’re all very passionate about aviation,” he said. “So it’s a safe environment for key government departments to come and join us.

“The only people here at the conference are those people that are professional, they have a lot of resources invested in their companies and they are more interested in safety than some regulators would ever be. So we’re interested in knowing where these various government departments are going in the future because we need to future proof ourselves.”

Higgins said the conference also provided a vital opportunity to build working relationships between various industry stakeholders.

“Every single government speaker who has presented today is presenting here for the first time,” he said. “So it’s a great encouraging time for a fresh start, for fresh engagement. And I can see that in the presenters themselves, they’re really happy to be here.”

Presentations and discussion topics ranged from new CAO48.1 fatigue regulation to the rise of remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), government regulation, possible future pilot and engineer shortages and safety.

New Acting Civil Aviation Safety Authority CEO Shane Carmody addressed the conference on Friday, beginning by removing any doubt about whether his position as “acting” CEO would limit his drive for progress.

“I have full authority, which I’ll use and full accountability, which I’ll wear for the decisions that I make and the decisions that go with the position,” he said. “My focus is on delivering a firm, fair and balanced aviation safety regulation system, promoting a positive and collaborative approach.”

In his opening address, RAAA Chairman Jim Davis said the conference was timely, coming soon after a raft of changes in regulation and personnel in prominent positions in the industry.

“The last year saw quite a few changes in senior management of major government authorities,” he said. “We have a new chief commissioner of the ATSB, we have a new aviation commissioner for the ATSB, a new CEO for CASA. And we have a new permanent head of Airservices Australia.”

He reiterated the RAAA’s three major targets in improving the industry for operators.

“First, it is time to implement some of the key recommendations of the ASRR report. Secondly, it is time for CASA to get a new direction and impetus from government to accomplish these changes. And thirdly, it is time to get serious about harmonisation with the regulations from other jurisdictions so that Australian industry can compete internationally on a level playing field.”


Read more at http://www.aviationbusiness.com.au/lates...vl22c7w.99

 Higgins -“Every single government speaker who has presented today is presenting here for the first time,” he said. “So it’s a great encouraging time for a fresh start, for fresh engagement. And I can see that in the presenters themselves, they’re really happy to be here.”

In case you were wondering who - besides Carmody - was present from the government and the alphabet soups, here is the programme for last Friday at RAAA convention:

Friday 21 October 2016

---

Session 7
08:50 - 09:00
Mike Higgins
Chief Executive Officer
Regional Aviation Association of Australia

RAAA CEO Report

---

Session 8
09:00 - 09:30
Pip Spence
A/g Deputy Secretary
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

Regional Aviation Policy - Challenges & Opportunities

---

Session 9
09:30 - 10:00
Greg Hood / Chris Manning
Chief Commissioner / Aviation Commissioner
Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Reshaping

P2 - Well that explains why Hoody didn't volunteer turning up for his Estimates session on Friday...   Wonder if someone got any photographic evidence of the invisible Manning actually being present; & what the hell is RESHAPING...  

---

Session 10
10:00 - 10:30
Dr Brett Anderson
Assistant Director, Specialised Services
Bureau of Meteorology

Current and future developments in Aviation Weather Services

---

10:30 - 11:00
Morning Tea & Networking
Tradeshow Pavilion

---

Session 11
11:00 - 12:00
Marquee Speaker
Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham

The 12th Man - A Marrrrvellousss innings behind the mic

Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham - discuss being Ritchis, Tony, Bill and the rest of the Nine commentators

---

Session 12
12:00 - 12:30
Jason Harfield
Chief Executive Officer
Airservices Australia

Beyond "Accelerate" - The New Airservices

P2 - Boring! Heard that load of bollocks on Monday -  

---

Session 13
12:30 - 13:00
Shane Carmody
A/g Director of Aviation Safety
Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Modern Aviator Regulator: the CASA approach

---

13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Networking
Tradeshow Pavilion

Sponsored by Airservices Australia  P2 edit taxpayer/fare-paying airline pax of Australia.  

---

Session 14
14:00 14:30
Ian Mallett
Airspace and Airways Specialist Consultant
Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)

3D Approached in Australia

---

Session 15
14:30 - 15:00
Rob Holdsworth
Enginous

Aging Aircraft
15:00 - 15:45
Manufacturer's Session

---

15:50 - 17:30
Tradeshow Closing Ceremony

---

Function
18:30
Bus departs for Gala Dinner - Hope Estate Winery
19:00 - 19:30
Pre-dinner Drinks
19:30 - 22:30
[b]Gala Dinner - Hope Estate Winery[/b]

   

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Now you're talking!!!

Session 11
11:00 - 12:00
Marquee Speaker
Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham

The 12th Man - A Marrrrvellousss innings behind the mic

Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham - discuss being Ritchis, Tony, Bill and the rest of the Nine commentators

Love it! Perhaps future conferences will include Rodney Rude or Kevin bloody Wilson? Or some standup by Eddie Murphy or Andrew Dice Clay? The ultimate entertainment would have been some 'Derek and Clive'! R.I.P Dudley Moore and Peter Cook.

[Kharon]

Well done RAAA – again.  Higgins and Davis once more meeting their ‘obligations’ under the ASRR. They provided an excellent venue, acres of ‘professional’, interested, invested people and wheeled in the front line from the government agencies. IMO, it will be through the RAAA that ‘meaningful’ change will come; whether or not that change be too little – too late is at a finely balanced point. I think all concerned can agree that there must be changes and the ASRR is the best, most logical starting point to begin that process.

Carmody continues to shape well, I like the notion that he is prepared to be ‘accountable’; most refreshing. No one at the weekend gab-fest expects miracles from day one of his tenure, but I believe one of the most important ‘jobs’ a DAS has is to ‘set the tone’. From the top downwards flows the ‘tone’; we have seen this before. If Carmody ‘firmly and fairly’ sets the CASA drones on the right path – through example – there is a fighting chance things may improve. Trust is an essential element and regaining that trust a huge task. Respect and regaining that respect is a second mammoth task for ‘Wingnut’. However, the ‘Carmody’ feed back from the RAAA gala is positive and hope, as they say, springs eternal.

It is a strange event; lots of handshaking and smiles, everyone on their best behaviour – well nearly everyone; bonhomie by the bucket full, as it should be. But it pays to remember that behind the masks are the shrewd, sharp eyes; tough minds and vested interests in ensuring that the aviation industry continues. Twice around the dance floor, a good dinner, a few beers and a new frock does not ensure a night in paradise, it is however a good place to start.

Events like the RAAA conferences don’t’ come in a packet; there is a mile of hard work to be done, the cast and crew behind the scenes deserve a mention and a vote of thanks. Well done all concerned, well done indeed.

[Peetwo]

Well done RAAA – again.  Higgins and Davis once more meeting their ‘obligations’ under the ASRR. They provided an excellent venue, acres of ‘professional’, interested, invested people and wheeled in the front line from the government agencies. IMO, it will be through the RAAA that ‘meaningful’ change will come; whether or not that change be too little – too late is at a finely balanced point. I think all concerned can agree that there must be changes and the ASRR is the best, most logical starting point to begin that process.

Carmody continues to shape well, I like the notion that he is prepared to be ‘accountable’; most refreshing. No one at the weekend gab-fest expects miracles from day one of his tenure, but I believe one of the most important ‘jobs’ a DAS has is to ‘set the tone’. From the top downwards flows the ‘tone’; we have seen this before. If Carmody ‘firmly and fairly’ sets the CASA drones on the right path – through example – there is a fighting chance things may improve. Trust is an essential element and regaining that trust a huge task. Respect and regaining that respect is a second mammoth task for ‘Wingnut’. However, the ‘Carmody’ feed back from the RAAA gala is positive and hope, as they say, springs eternal.

It is a strange event; lots of handshaking and smiles, everyone on their best behaviour – well nearly everyone; bonhomie by the bucket full, as it should be. But it pays to remember that behind the masks are the shrewd, sharp eyes; tough minds and vested interests in ensuring that the aviation industry continues. Twice around the dance floor, a good dinner, a few beers and a new frock does not ensure a night in paradise, it is however a good place to start.

Events like the RAAA conferences don’t’ come in a packet; there is a mile of hard work to be done, the cast and crew behind the scenes deserve a mention and a vote of thanks. Well done all concerned, well done indeed.

Update: Via Agent 86 off the Yaffa's Avbiz :

Last week's Regional Aviation Association of Australia national conference was consistent with what we've come to expect from the organisation's major annual event - robust debate, industry figures of all types speaking their minds and a renewed understanding that most of the people in our industry are here because they have a genuine passion for aviation.


Chairman Jim Davis didn't pull any punches in his opening address, calling on CASA to "hit the reset button". In turn, new acting CASA CEO Shane Carmody reiterated his intention to pursue fair and consultative regulation, but suggested industry doesn't always get it right either. You'll be able to read more when the November December issue of Aviation Business, coming together now, hits the streets.


Read more at http://www.aviationbusiness.com.au/opini...6fEg6SU.99

MTF...P2

[Sandy Reith]

RAAA Post #32

" In turn, new acting CASA CEO Shane Carmody reiterated his intention to pursue fair and consultative regulation, but suggested industry doesn't always get it right either"

So Mr. Carmody throws us a gratuitous insult by way of a come back for his out of control corporation. A corporation by name, by size and by the enormity of wasted money, opportunity and by monstrous injustices all the while killing a perfectly good industry. None of us would declare perfection, but the aviation industry on the whole is business like, honest, fair and serves as best it can, amazing considering its regulatory shackles. Could you say that of CASA?

The aviation industry behaves in a manner opposite to that of the regulator.

I don't accept Mr Carmody's characterisation, his comment does not inspire confidence that his focus is on reform. Another clue to his thinking, "consultative regulation", more time wasting is coming. Mr. Carmody should be appraised of the numerous studies and costly reviews. Wonder if he has seen the ASSR recommendations? Two, three or four years are planned to slip away while the CASA party steamroller continues on its merry way, gravy train in tow. He can then retire and Chester will get another portfolio.

[Kharon]

Perhaps this ditty from the pen of Ernest Lawrence Thayer may help some see the situation more clearly. Although I doubt the ‘irony’ will be understood by those as should.

Casey at the Bat.

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Casey could but get a whack at that—
We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.”

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despisèd, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile lit Casey’s face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his
    shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the
    air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped—
“That ain’t my style," said Casey. “Strike one!” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled
    roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted someone on the stand;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his
    hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, “Strike two!”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered
    “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles
    strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey’s lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children
    shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.

[Peetwo]

Bureaucratic embuggerance of ASRR confirmed by Jim Davis.

Much belatedly the RAAA recently published their Winter edition newsletter.

From the LHS Jim Davis came out with a scathing assessment on the progress and effective implementation of the previously Government supported Rev Forsyth ASRR report findings & recommendations:

 
From the Horse's mouth...
..All of this is history but at a meeting at the end of May with the now Department of Infrastructure and Transport, CASA and members of The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF), the Department and CASA made it clear that they were not bound by the recommendations of the ASRR report.


In a breathtaking, bureaucratic sleight-of-hand which would have had Sir Humphrey Appleby beaming with pride, the Dept and CASA stressed to TAAAF members ‘that it is the Government’s response to the ASRR recommendations that is being implemented and not the exact wording of text used by the Panel in the ASRR Report’.


In other words there is no intention from Government of being guided by the ASRR report itself or of seeking to satisfy the intent of the Report’s recommendations.


The Department also said that any review of the ASRR report implementation would take place after it was completed and would be carried out by an independent person, being not any of the original members of the ASRR panel.


It is clear that the bureaucrats have no intention of attempting to realise the objectives of the report and have simply turned this into a box ticking exercise...

So we get some more dots confirmed on the sorry ASRR timeline of embuggerance...UDB? - No pretty much business as usual for Murky, Comardy and his CAsA-phyte muppets ...  

 
MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Sadly lads it is a fact of political life. Here is a breakdown of how the game is played;

-Government has been naughty and then comes under scrutiny.
- Government issues a 'review'.
- Review is completed and Government 'accepts' the ensuing report.
- Government hasn't said it will change one single thing. All it has said is that it 'accepts' the report. But dopey Joe Public has already been fooled.
- Entire process takes a great deal of time, maybe a year or two. Meanwhile Joe Public has forgotten pretty much everything regarding this 'review' except for the one and only point that the Government keeps on pushing; 'we accepted the report'! Dopey Joe Public takes that as meaning 'the government has accepted and fixed the problem'! Not true, however the Governments well performed sleight of hand trick has done its job, end of story......switches off the lights and all go home happy.

Governements are filled with some of the brightest, smartest, most intellectual thieves and sociopaths you will ever find gathered in one place. It is an entity that has powers that are inconceivable and an endless bucket of money that it continually uses to train it's Lietenants, upskill it's workforce, buy the latest technologies, pay the highest remuneration and crush any uprising. If anybody thinks for a minute that the Forsythe Review is a given and will just have to be implemented, well they are living in club cuckoo land. The IOS are no match for these shysters.....

[Peetwo]

Bureaucratic embuggerance of ASRR confirmed by Jim Davis.

Much belatedly the RAAA recently published their Winter edition newsletter.

From the LHS Jim Davis came out with a scathing assessment on the progress and effective implementation of the previously Government supported Rev Forsyth ASRR report findings & recommendations:

 
From the Horse's mouth...
..All of this is history but at a meeting at the end of May with the now Department of Infrastructure and Transport, CASA and members of The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF), the Department and CASA made it clear that they were not bound by the recommendations of the ASRR report.


In a breathtaking, bureaucratic sleight-of-hand which would have had Sir Humphrey Appleby beaming with pride, the Dept and CASA stressed to TAAAF members ‘that it is the Government’s response to the ASRR recommendations that is being implemented and not the exact wording of text used by the Panel in the ASRR Report’.


In other words there is no intention from Government of being guided by the ASRR report itself or of seeking to satisfy the intent of the Report’s recommendations.


The Department also said that any review of the ASRR report implementation would take place after it was completed and would be carried out by an independent person, being not any of the original members of the ASRR panel.


It is clear that the bureaucrats have no intention of attempting to realise the objectives of the report and have simply turned this into a box ticking exercise...

So we get some more dots confirmed on the sorry ASRR timeline of embuggerance...UDB? - No pretty much business as usual for Murky, Comardy and his CAsA-phyte muppets ...  

Wingnut confirmation bias -

Courtesy of Wingnut's address to the RAAA, via Fort Fumble:

The Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASSR)

• CASA’s schedule for implementing the Government’s response to the ASRR was embedded into the CASA Corporate Plan and we provide a progress report to the Minister Chester on a quarterly basis. 32 of the 37 ASRR recommendations related to the functions and performance of CASA. We have already completed over 20 of these and are making good progress on all remaining recommendations (except the delays agreed with the Minister/industry in making regulations).  
  

• When I was appointed, Minister Chester made it very clear to me the implementation of the reforms contained in the Government’s response to the ASRR remains the highest priority. The Government expects CASA to complete implementing required reforms by the end of this year, except where CASA and the aviation community have agreed that regulation implementation should be deferred.
  

Now the key part of the Wingnut bollocks (above) that confirms the Davis remarks, that M&M his loyal Lieutenants (Carmody & Zielke) and his subordinate minions (Harfwit & Hoodlum) are taking the Mickey Bliss and blatantly obfuscating the Forsyth review, is here..

 "...Minister Chester made it very clear to me the implementation of the reforms contained in the Government’s response to the ASRR remains the highest priority..."

Hmm...and who was it that drafted the original Government response? - Why M&M and his minions of course -


MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

An interesting twist to the game of musical chairs?

A reliable source has advised me within the past 24 hours that Pumpkin Head will be promoted and will transition into PMC, Wingnut will be promoted and replace Pumpkin Head and then head up the Infrastructure portfolio, and the incoming new DAS (before June 30 2017) will not be Wingnut.

The pieces are starting to come together boys.

[Kharon]

RAAA continue to impress. There is another story floating about the place where RAAA calm and common sense involvement prevented what could have been an ugly situation developing. Not my tale to tell, not even sure I’d get thanked for telling it – but, suffice to say well done RAAA and recommend that whenever and wherever you can, support this fine organisation.

Bravo – well done – the key to the Tim Tam tin is in the mail.

[Peetwo]

RAAA Summer 2016/2017 newsletter -

In their latest newsletter the RAAA's Jim Davis in 'From The Lefthand Seat' outlines the areas of advocacy the association will be actively pursuing throughout 2017. Davis also gives an insider goss and update to the Department vs TAAAF dispute on the actual progress on the implementation on the Forsyth (ASRR) review recommendations:

Recently we have seen encouraging developments in some key areas which
give us hope that 2017 will be a better year on the regulatory front.

The RAAA has been lobbying hard for some time for the recommendations adopted by the Government in the Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) to be implemented in a meaningful fashion.

The reports being published by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development on the progress of ASRR implementation were attracting strong industry criticism as being inaccurate and were seemingly designed just to tick off each recommendation without making any real attempt to accomplish the aims of the report.

In other words it was becoming a political exercise rather than a genuine attempt to achieve any significant reform. The RAAA has made repeated representations to CASA, the Department and the Minister (both previous and current) on this topic.

Until late last year we seemed to be hitting a brick wall with the relevant bureaucrats refusing to acknowledge the logic of our position.

However this has now changed with CASA convening a meeting last November with David Forsyth and industry representatives, including the RAAA. This initiative arose out of discussions at the RAAA convention and CASA is to be congratulated for it.

The meeting highlighted some serious discrepancies with industry opinion being that CASA had achieved the desired ASRR report outcome in only 33% of recommendation in contrast to the Department’s claim of 64%.

Of concern was that some key recommendations were in effect being bypassed. Further meetings are being held between the Department, CASA and David Forsyth as a consequence of this difference in assessments and it is to be hoped that these will see a satisfactory resolution of the differences.

The CASA board and the Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) have contributed to this process and genuinely want to see the recommendations implemented properly and achieve the desired outcomes. It is refreshing and encouraging to perceive this attitude at the executive level in CASA.

Another area where the RAAA has been very active and vocal is that of regulatory reform and in particular the changes brought in by CAO 48.1. CASA have announced a postponement of the implementation of this new regulation while an independent review is carried out.

The RAAA has long maintained that CASA should apply DAS Directive CASA 01/2015 and its Regulatory Philosophy to this new rule.

Until recently CASA refused to do this on the technicality that 48.1 was formulated before DAS Directive 01/2015 was published.

However, under the new DAS' sanity has finally prevailed and the Terms of Reference of the independent review into CAO 48.1 clearly state that Directive 01/2105 must apply to the new fatigue rules.

The RAAA will be actively involved in the review process and we hope to see a new set of rules that will ensure safe operations with regard to pilot fatigue whilst not unduly penalising operators. It has been done overseas and there is no reason why it cannot be done here.

Harmonisation of our regulations is another area where the RAAA has pushed for change and we will continue to do so in 2017.

It is ludicrous that Australia has generated so many unique and restrictive regulations while the rest of the world falls in line with either EASA or FAA rules.

While there will always be need for some local variations we should be aiming for as much commonality as possible. This is particularly so in aircraft and component manufacturing and certification.

There is some hope that progress is being made in these areas and hopefully we will see improvements in 2017 that will enable Australian industry to be more competitive.

However we still have a long way to go in achieving meaningful harmonisation.

Progress is also being made in the area of LAME training where the RAAA, along with AMROBA and the ALAEA, has been heavily involved with relevant Government bodies and is also a member of ETAG (the Engineering Training Action Group) and the Industry Reference Committee.

With so many different Government institutions involved in LAME training it has been a very frustrating exercise but it is vital that we see the current ruinous trends of an aging LAME population and a declining number of apprentices reversed.

The RAAA will continue to devote considerable time to achieving this in the coming year.

Our annual convention was again a success in 2016 but the RAAA board has decided on a change of venue for this year.

This is a result of feedback from those who wish to combine business with pleasure and bring family members along with them.

This year we are delighted to announce the 2017 National Convention will be held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Not only are the facilities world class, close to both the Gold Coast and Brisbane airports and has a championship golf course but Family friendly with many activities onsite and easily accessible offsite; Australia’s famous theme parks are only 30 minutes away.

So keep the dates of 25-27 October free in your calendar and I hope to see you there!

 
MTF...P2  

[Peetwo]

RAAA on disbandment of 457 visas -

By RAAA CEO Mike Higgins, via the Oz: 

Unintended consequences of 457 visa changes could ground airlines

REX have invested heavily in a pilot training school. Picture: Grahame Hutchison.

• Mike Higgins
  
• The Australian
  
• 12:00AM April 28, 2017
  

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection issued a media release on April 18 announcing the abolition and replacement of the Temporary Work Visa (457). The document includes about 20 reforms, summarised in dot points. The Regional Aviation Association of Australia agrees with about 85 per cent of these.

The RAAA welcomes the government’s review of all programs from time to time to ensure they remain fit for purpose, have not drifted in scope and still address the initial problem. However, the published changes have some serious unintended consequences for many regional airline and charter operators. In a nutshell, pilots and avionic engineers are now totally excluded, while airframe/engine engineers are only eligible for temporary visas without any access to residency, which makes it virtually impossible to employ them.

Examples include Chartair, a large operator in the Northern Territory. Since November 2015, they have had a massive turnover of pilots — of the 31 crew with the business at that time, only four of them remain.

They have lost 12 experienced pilots to large Australian national carriers in the past 12 months alone. The large Australian carriers don’t see an end to this recruitment drive any time soon, with a well-known international carrier recruiting some 1200 pilots by years end. The internationals recruit experienced pilots from the large Australian carriers and they in turn recruit experienced pilots from our member organisations. Chartair currently have parked three of their biggest aircraft because they don’t have crew for them!

Chartair is not unique in its role within the industry. Most Regional Aviation Association of Australia member airlines take in entry-level pilots and offer them a career path through small single pistons, small twins, up to single and twin turbines. Although they are all too aware of their position in the aviation food chain, they are proud of their record in providing high-quality pilots for the Australian national carriers. However, they are at that stage where our ranks at the upper middle and senior pilot levels are so depleted that overseas candidates locked in for four years on a visa were about the only solution to get them through this crazy phase of recruiting by the major carriers around the world.

Therefore, they currently have seriously limited capabilities in-house for check and training and need desperately to bring in contractors to cover these vital roles. However, with the changes to the 457 visa they will not be able to sponsor these pilots to undertake vital roles for the survival of their businesses.

Perhaps the largest (in terms of number of aircraft) RAAA member is Regional Express and they may have the most compelling case. REX have invested heavily in a pilot training school and take most of the Australian graduates into their airline.

The international and Australian national carrier recruitment activity mentioned above has been so intense that this member soon won’t have a sufficient number of experienced captains to continue the training of the first officers. So we will see aircraft and first officers grounded because they can no longer employ direct entry captains, thanks to the 457 changes.

In the mid-1970s Qantas would routinely train over 200 aircraft maintenance engineers per year, and I was fortunate to be one of them. They now train 15 per year. This is not a criticism of Qantas, as their engineering business model has had to change over the intervening period due to changes in technology and a host of other reasons.

The fact is, though, that the once vibrant training ground has all but vanished. It is now incumbent on the smaller end of town to take a more active role in producing engineers.

This is widely recognised and commendable efforts are being made by industry. However, a combination of ‘‘centres of excellence’’ (silos) within both the federal and state governments, with no single controlling mind, has resulted in a gridlock where it is not possible for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue licences to graduating apprentices.

The RAAA has been campaigning for some time and is working very closely with the Australian Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association, the Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers association, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and soon the federal and state education departments to address this situation. So it was pleasing to read a recent release from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on Aviation training issues.

The document refers to the recent Aviation Workforce Skills Study which clearly articulates a need to ‘‘develop practical and workable solutions to overcome any shortfalls in the supply of professionally trained staff’’. ‘‘I look forward to working with the Department of Education and Training.”

Commendable indeed, yet at the same time another arm of the government makes these breathtaking changes to 457 that are designed to kill jobs and growth in our sector of the industry. The RAAA remains willing and able to be a part of the solution and would welcome an urgent review of these new arrangements.

MTF...P2