[Peetwo]

Angel Flight embuggerance update - 

Via AOPA Oz FB page: https://www.facebook.com/AOPAaustralia/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

CASA MOVES ON ANGEL FLIGHTS

The Australian, Robyn Ironside – Friday 8th February 2019

Changes to community service flights by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are expected to be made as early as next week, barely a fortnight after the period for submissions closed.

The Australian understands widespread anger in regional and rural communities about the changes, has prompted CASA Chief Executive Shane Carmody to move quickly.

All but one of the changes, relating to aircraft maintenance, are tipped to be part of a new CASA instrument that will be tabled in federal parliament.

National not-for-profit operation Angel Flight has warned the changes could force it to stop helping rural people tavel to non-emergency medical appointments in cities.

Chief Executive Majorie Pagani said the changes would require pilots to meet a higher standard than those already imposed by their CASA licence, in order to help others.

But in an interview with ABC regional radio, CASA Chairman Tony Matthews said two fatal crashes involving Angel Flight gave CASA no choice but to review arrangements.

“We had to go back in as CASA and see what level pilots should be at to be flying passengers around on technically what is not a private flight,” Mr Matthews said.

“All the fuel is paid for, so we’re just looking at what level of safety that is suitable for what they’re actually doing.”

A minimum level of flying experience would also be imposed, to ensure a “level of performance from the pilots that’s commensurate with what they’re doing”.

“To some extent these flights put a little bit of pressure on you, in that you need to get people to their appointment or get them home. That puts pressure on the pilot,” said Mr Matthews.

Ms Pagani said she would be surprised if CASA had even read all the 160 submissions made to the authority in response to the proposed changes.

Some comments so far on AOPA Oz FB page...

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Australia CASA's public statements serve to demonstrate a vast inconsistency with respect to their core argument for implementing changes and leaves more questions than answers with respect to their thinking and direction.

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Hedley Harding And how many commercial charter flights have had fatal accidents in the past 10 years Tony MATTHEWS are you going to impose more regulatory measures on charter operators to. 

Over regulation is killing private charter operators already,, now CASA wants charter operators to employ a safety audit officer to oversee the charter business which will cost thousands.

CASA needs a kick in butt.

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Michael Henderson CASA is out of control. There needs to be a Royal Commission into CASA to bring back to earth. They make rules without listening to pilots etc. This just shows they are going to bring in changes without looking at submissions as they had already made their mind up. It is all in the name of safety well why don't they just ground all aircraft including RPT then there will be no accidents. No Pilot will put themselves or others in danger. The two accidents that where just that accidents and it could happen to anyone we're all human except CASA they think are beyond all mistakes, time they had a real good look at themselves. GA is dying because of them.

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Steve Fenech This was never about consultation it was about appearing to have consulted prior to enforcing their fascist edicts. Typical CASA SOP.

MTF...P2