[Peetwo]

CASA Flight Examiner Debacle: Courtesy BM AOPA Oz CEO -

Via Youtube & FB:

Some comments in reply: https://www.facebook.com/AOPAaustralia/v...3124104804

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Steve Curtis

CASA have destroyed a system developed over many years. CASA told the federal govt the flight crew licencing reforms would streamline processes and not impose any further regulatory burden on the industry. CASA have successfully destroyed a once viable industry.

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Ian Tucker

What a disgraceful situation, the CASA regs are a dogs breakfast. Australia’s good aviation safety record is despite CASA not because.

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David Ian Grant

Ben, I consider myself so fortunate that when I first began my journey on the way to an aviation career back in the early sixties, my mentors and teachers, including my own father, had their roots in the old Empire flying schools, set up from the imperative to train pilots quickly and efficiently for war. When I think back over the incredible people who were instrumental in stuffing knowledge and honing skills, and imparting a desire to excel into a half wit teen I wonder at their patience. But teach they did, because it was part of them. CASA have pretty much destroyed the teachers. Today its ticks in boxes, students are not encouraged to think outside the box, just comply. Back then there was mutual respect between the regulator and these veterans, by and large the regulators examiners were also teachers. Today I believe the teaching has been replaced by rigid ticks in boxes, there are very few actual teachers.

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Sandy Reith

Ben, what you have described in your video is a CASA induced situation of total irresponsibility to Australia because General Aviation is such a valuable sector, it has capabilities and utility that cannot be replaced.

When I started instructing in the 70s CASA (or predecessor) put me up to Grade 11 on the basis of my hours, from memory 200 ab initio. I applied for my own school and they had a look at my facilities and approved my school and myself as CFI. Then when I had more hours they gave me Grade1, did not apply for upgrades, and then they gave me RPPL and PPL and NIGHT VFR testing approvals without me applying. I had put up one or two for the Restricted PPL. I had design feature teaching and sign off for those features that I was qualified for myself, except for twin training which was done after about 30min flying following an IFR rating renewal, plus some briefing by my CASA FOI.

There were no fees payable because it’s the Government that requires standards for the benefit of the Australian public and therefore the public should pay, public good. Public purse.

In the USA we have the example of a rational system, independent instructors. No need to apply and pay exorbitant fees and spend months or years waiting for an Air Operators Certificate.

Times up well and truly, this CASA madness has to stop. Well done for raising the issue, no instructors equals no GA, no maintenance, no Angel Flight, no ag operators. aerial firefighting, aerial flood relief and the list goes on.

And do not forget that for the security of the Nation aerial mobility is a crucial factor, a factor that goes to our defence posture and strength.

Sandy in reply:

Sandy Reith

BigAl Hoggy the only way we can get change is through our MPs, the bureaucrats have no incentive to change because reform would lessen their roles, power and threaten their enormous salaries.
We really lack media exposure which could help draw attention to the disgraceful state of affairs that is the worsening environment for our GA sector which is entirely due to a completely irresponsible independent regulator. CASA should be disbanded and the administration be put back where it belongs in the Westminster system, into a Department of Government with Minister at its head.

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Paul Tyler

The Rockhampton Aero Club recently closed after 93 years of flight training in regional Queensland purely because of the inability to recruit a CFI - CASA regulations didn’t help - very sad indeed

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Alan Williams

The bureaucracy is absolutely destroying the GA industry.
General aviation is no longer a pleasurable experience anymore.

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Peter John-Francis

Unfortunately due to the overly complicated & expensive system in place, wholly & solely due to CASA’s burdensome process instigated with Part 61, we now are saddled with this woeful system.

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Trent Robinson

This is an incredibly frustrating situation and has been going on for years. I feel CASA think everyone works in a 200+ student flight school and tests are available each week hence shouldn't take more than 6 months to complete!! It's a joke. The FPC by CASA requirement was a brick wall. I have now mentored several Flight Examiner Applicants and the only way this works is for me as the mentor to be 100% invested in the applicants training. Otherwise if left to the applicant they have no control over access to tests, planning ahead and having them made available for their mentoring. And thats assuming the test even goes ahead as scheduled.

Finally AOPA Oz Members Weekly Newsletter is back...

Link: https://mailchi.mp/aopa/aopa-australia-e...ZMhlVeB7WU

MTF...P2