[Peetwo]

No Su_Spence bollocks December briefing; instead a delay on GA workplan??    

Via Fort Fumble: 

Date: 6 December 2022
CASA has updated the General Aviation Workplan to reflect progress implementing the initiatives.



Key achievements since the workplan was released include:

• expanding delivery of examiner proficiency checks to industry
  
• expanding delivery of flight examiner rating courses to industry
  
• expanding privileges for Grade 1 training endorsement holders
  
• creating a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’
  
• exempting operators and maintainers of Cessna aircraft in the broader private and aerial work sectors from the requirements to carry out Cessna SIDs
  
• removing the ‘stall speed limit’ for light weight aeroplanes operating under an Approved Self-administering Aviation Organisation (ASAO) administration.
  

Some initiatives have not tracked as initially anticipated as work has identified new dependencies and issues that require proposals to be re-sequenced and rescoped.

Below is an overview of changes made to the workplan since its release.

Improve the competency standards for flight examiners

A benefit has been achieved through the removal of the prescriptive minimum hour requirements for flight examiners. These have been replaced by interim assessment protocols. As a result, the finalisation of the endorsement-specific standards is no longer as urgent as other initiatives in this workplan. We will work with industry to develop these standards which are now expected to be delivered in Q1 2023.

Review the requirement to notify CASA of a flight test

CASA is working to rescope the initiative with industry. Implementation will be subject to the advice of the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel. A new industry benefit date is expected following end Q2 2023.

Create a tailored pathway for task specialist pilot endorsements

Feedback from industry engagement has highlighted some further policy work needed on the entry requirements for certain specialist pilots. Public consultation is now expected to be undertaken in November 2022 with a benefit to industry also expected this quarter, Q4 2022.

Simplified and fast-tracked application and assessment process for independent flight instructors

Work on this project has identified the need to first settle assessment protocols for Part 141 and has been delayed by competing priorities. We are now working to finalise this project in Q4 2022.

Consider more progressive, less onerous maintenance licence pathways tailored for light aircraft

The policy solution of making a minor Manual of Standards amendment to provide a modular licensing pathway using existing licensing modules is something CASA’s is discussing with industry to provide a benefit in a shorter timeframe than originally proposed in the workplan. There are differences of opinion however regarding the preferred policy solution which may delay timeframes. Benefit to industry expected from Q4 2023.

Establish new Part 43 maintenance regulations which are specifically for general aviation

Feedback from the public consultation determined the need to resolve some policy and implementation issues which are currently being worked through. Benefits to industry will be incremental from Q1 2023.

Implement proportionate continuing airworthiness regulations for non-scheduled air transport operators

Work is well underway on the Manual of Standards and a Plain English Guide. Consultation is now expected to commence in mid-2023.

Amend rules for the aerial application sector

The project is being rescoped following industry consultation with a new industry benefit date to be determined.

Proposal to increase access to Class C and Class D airspace for sport and recreational aviation

This project is being rescoped due to a range of dependencies identified through the preparation of the Part 103 MOS which need to be resolved before this issue can be addressed. Benefit date is contingent on the finalising of the Part 103 MOS, expected to be February 2023.

Finalise rules for sport and recreation aircraft (Part 103 of CASR)

Project impacted by competing priorities and availability of staff and industry representative. Completion of engagement process and making of the MOS expected by end Q2 2023. There is no impact to current operations which are continuing under existing rules.

Finalise rules for parachuting operations (Part 105 of CASR)

CASA is working with industry to resolve issues raised in the Technical Working Group in relation to passenger numbers and hot refuelling. Formal advice from ASAP is expected this quarter, Q4 2022.

Due to these considerations, we expect completion of the engagement process and the making of the MOS by 31 July 2023.

There is no impact to current operations which are continuing under existing rules.

Finalise rule set for balloons and hot air airships – Part 131 of CASR

Some delays to Technical Working Group consultation due to availability of industry members. Project also impacted by competing priorities and staff availability. Completion of engagement process and making of the MOS now expected by end Q2 2023.

There is no impact to current operations which are continuing under existing rules.

Plus via the Yaffa:

Policy and Priorities delay GA Workplan

7 December 2022



Policy issues and clashing priorities have delayed work on CASA's GA Workplan according to an update the regulator released yesterday.

CASA announced the GA Workplan in May this year, which detailed series of initiatives designed to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden on the GA community.

CASA published the plan with a set of timelines to give the GA community some indication of when the changes would be implemented, but according to yesterday's update, policy issues and competing work priorities are the most common cause of delays to some of the initiatives.

"Some initiatives have not tracked as initially anticipated as work has identified new dependencies and issues that require proposals to be re-sequenced and rescoped," the update says.

Among the work delayed is the long sought-after access to Class C and D airspace for Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) pilots.

"This project is being rescoped due to a range of dependencies identified through the preparation of the Part 103 MOS which need to be resolved before this issue can be addressed," CASA has stated. "Benefit date is contingent on the finalising of the Part 103 MOS, expected to be February 2023."

Policy concerns have delayed new pathways for task-specialist pilot endorsements, less onerous maintenance licensing for light aircraft and CASR Part 43 maintenance regulations.

Reforms to CASR Part 103 recreational and sport aviation have been delayed by "competing priorities and availability of staff and industry representative."

Although it was a part of the original workplan, yesterday's update contains no reference to CASR Part 67, which is being amended to permit PPLs to fly without the need for a medical examination. A CASA Technical Working Group (TWG) recommended the changes to Part 67 in September this year, and CASA is believed to be in the process of amending the regulations.

Since the CASA published the GA Workplan, some initiatives have been implemented already, including:

• expanding delivery of examiner proficiency checks to industry
  
• expanding delivery of flight examiner rating courses to industry
  
• expanding privileges for Grade 1 training endorsement holders
  
• creating a multi-engine helicopter ‘class rating’
  
• exempting operators and maintainers of Cessna aircraft in the private and aerial work sectors from the requirements to carry out Cessna SIDs
  
• removing the stall speed limit for light weight aeroplanes operating under an Approved Self-administering Aviation Organisation (ASAO) administration.
  

[b]New GA Workplan Timeline[/b]
Improve the competency standards for flight examiners
Was Q3 2022, now Q1 2023.
Review the requirement to notify CASA of a flight test
Remains Q2 2023.
Create a tailored pathway for task specialist pilot endorsements
Was Q3 2022, now Q4 2022.
Simplified and fast-tracked application and assessment process for independent flight instructors
Was Q3 2022, now Q4 2022.
Consider more progressive, less onerous maintenance licence pathways tailored for light aircraft
Was Q2 2023, now Q4 2023.
Establish new Part 43 maintenance regulations which are specifically for general aviation
Was Q4 2022, now Q1 2023.
Implement proportionate continuing airworthiness regulations for non-scheduled air transport operators
Was Q2 2023. Consultation is now expected to commence in mid-2023.
Amend rules for the aerial application sector
The project is being rescoped following industry consultation with a new industry benefit date to be determined.
Proposal to increase access to Class C and Class D airspace for sport and recreational aviation
Was Q3 2022, now February 2023.
Finalise rules for sport and recreation aircraft (CASR Part 103)
Was Q4 2022, MOS now expected by end Q2 2023.
Finalise rules for parachuting operations (CASR Part 105)
Was Q4 2022, MOS now expected by 31 July 2023.
Finalise rule set for balloons and hot air airships (CASR Part 131)
Was Q4 2022, MOS now expected by end Q2 2023.
More information on the GA Workplan update is on the CASA website.

MTF...P2