[Peetwo]

From MMSM Steve this am...

Call for action on air safety reforms  

Steve Creedy

Aviation Editor
Sydney
https://plus.google.com/107158623429005505864

AVIATION groups seeking faster action on last year’s Forsyth report into aviation safety have urged the federal government and the air safety regulator to urgently embrace reform.  

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum, the peak body for aviation groups, urged Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss as well as the new Civil Aviation Safety Authority board and the authority’s boss Mark Skidmore to pursue “a fundamental improvement in aviation in Australia”.

A communique to be issued today at the Avalon International Airshow in Victoria says the future of aviation in Australia is starting to look promising but only if politicians, the infrastructure and department heads act now.

It called on Mr Truss to finalise a letter of intent to direct CASA to follow a new path of co-operation that would cut outmoded regulation.

“The forum noted that it was enthusiastic about reform noises coming from the minister and CASA, and was hopeful this would turn into a systematic approach to restructure and improve the culture of the regulator based on the government and industry endorsed (report),’’ it said.

The forum called for the setting up of key CASA-industry joint taskforces to address problems with implementation of flight crew licensing.
Separately, the industry welcomed the appointment of former Qantas chief pilot Chris Manning as a commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

In other words miniscule & Skates get on with it...

[Peetwo]

From Oz Flying this arvo more on the AAAF statement to Truss...

 



Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss speaks at Waypoint 2014. (Airservices via Twitter)

TAAAF Statement puts Minister on Notice
27 Feb 2015

A statement released today has made it clear to Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss that The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) is not pleased with the pace of reform at CASA.

TAAAF has strongly encouraged the Minister for Infrastructure, the new Board of CASA and the new Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) of CASA Mark Skidmore to "urgently embrace reform and pursue a fundamental improvement in aviation in Australia."

The TAAAF statement noted that "future of aviation in Australia is starting to look promising – provided that politicians, the Department of Infrastructure and aviation agency heads act now."

Forum participants called on the Minister to finalise his letter of intent to direct CASA and the CASA Board on a new path of co-operation with the aviation community to "build a more vibrant and innovative industry that is not shackled by out-moded regulation or handicapped by red tape."

TAAAF members made reiterated their enthusiasm for reform and expressed hope that the Federal Government would take a systematic approach to improving the regulator's culture in line with the industry-endorsed recommendations that came out of the ASRR (Forsyth) Report.

The call comes only days after Skidmore announced his intent to introduce just culture to CASA.

 
Then in the Oz Flying weekly wrap - The Last Minute Hitch: 27 February 2015 - Hitch gives us his thoughts on the Skates 'Just Culture' plea and again mentions the AAAF communique & Manning's ATSB Commissioner appointment:

This week Mark Skidmore took a deep breath and plunged right into the heart of GA's problems with CASA: the culture. He announced that, in line with the Forsyth Report recommendations, CASA would adopt a just-culture approach. In short this means if you stuff-up something in the air and there is nothing intentional or negligent about it, the chances are CASA won't slap you with an infringement notice. Rather, they will want you to help them understand what went wrong so they can learn more about aviation safety. This is the big one; the prime recommendation from the Forsyth Report that underpinned all the other recommendations. However, Mark told me only a few days ago that he needed the aviation community to be more open with CASA and start to reconnect with them over safety. There will be people in the industry that will blanch at the idea of doing that, but how can we tell David Forsyth and his team that a disconnect with CASA is a major problem, then perpetuate it by trying to continue the disconnect? To this point, many of us would have rather gargled gravel than be honest and open with the regulator, but we have no choice if we want change.


Despite Skidmore's statement, The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) wants a rocket put under CASA. They released a statement urging Minister Truss to get on with the reforms at CASA. We've been waiting years for a sniff of genuine reform, but are we starting to get impatient?

Another key initiative from the Forsyth Report was activated this week: Chris Manning was appointed to be aviation commissioner at the Australian Transport Safety Board. Chris is a former Qantas Chief Pilot and safety advisor to Tiger Airlines. Of late he has been Honorary Chairman of The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF). As of 9 March, he will add signifcant experience and aviation smarts to the ATSB. This is well overdue given that most of the ATSB's work is aircraft accidents and incidents.

 
MTF...P2

[thorn bird]

Came upon this article this morning which made me sit up and take notice.

"A group of researchers at an Australian university, along with its spinoff company, have used 3D printing to make two metal jet engines that, while only proof-of-concept designs, have all the working parts of a functioning gas turbine engine.

The two engines, created by Monash University and its spinoff Amaero Engineering, are garnering a lot of attention from leading aeronautics companies, including Airbus, Boeing and defense contractor Raytheon, which are lining up at the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing in Melbourne to develop new components with 3D printing.
"Australia's manufacturing industries need access to the latest technologies to stay competitive," Professor Ian Smith, Monash University's vice provost for Research and Research Infrastructure, stated in a news release. "This Centre allows them to rapidly prototype metal devices across a wide range of industries. It's part of a large integrated suite of facilities for research and industry at Monash."

One of the proof-of-concept jet engines was on display this week at the International Air Show in Avalon, Victoria. The second is being displayed at the French aerospace company Microturbo, which originally challenged the university two years ago to build the engines.

The proof of concepts are replicas of an auxiliary power unit used in aircraft such as the Falcon 20 French business jet, which was provided by Microturbo.

"The project is a spectacular proof of concept that's leading to significant contracts with aerospace companies. It was a challenge for the team and pushed the technology to new heights of success - no one has printed an entire engine commercially yet," Ben Batagol, of Amaero Engineering, stated in a press release.

The 3D-printed jet engines demonstrate that engineers can produce jet engine test parts in days instead of the months it would typically take through machine lathing and poured-mold parts processes. The jet engines were printed using an additive manufacturing (3D printing) technique known as selective laser sintering or melting, where a high-powered laser on a robotic head melts metal powder layer by wafer-thin layer.

The engines were printed using the X-Line 1000R 3D printer from Concept Laser, a machine that Amaero calls the largest selective laser-melting (SLM) machine available. The machine is capable of sintering together metal layers anywhere from 30 to 200 microns thick.

The 1,800-lbs machine is about 14-ft. x 10-ft. x 14-ft in size. It can build parts with dimensions as large as 25-in. x 16-in. x 20-in. in size. The Concept Laser X-Line 1000R printer is capable of producing parts in aluminum, titanium or a nickel based alloy using a 1 kilowatt laser to melt the powdered materials."

Cheaper parts for jet engines wow!! what a breakthrough, and I thought this could lead to a major boost to the Aviation Industry in Australia.

Then the rational side kicked in. I'd forgotten about CERTIFICATION. No chance of anything aviation becoming cheaper given that burden, before you've even cut any metal.

Given CAsA has chased  any local  innovation out of Australia and into the hands of foreigners, There is no way this technology could get off the ground here and we simply don't have enough warehouse space to store all the paperwork that would be required.

[Peetwo]

Except for this comment from Phil Hurst last week in the Oz article - CASA seeks to hike fees as $25m loss looms - other industry stalwarts have been particularly quiet??

...Aerial Agriculture Association of Australia chief executive Phil Hurst said there seemed to be a contradiction between CASA’s approach and government policy that new regulations should be cost neutral and red tape should be reduced.


Mr Hurst said the industry was also still waiting for Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to provide a letter of intent that gave effect to the findings of the Forsyth review on aviation safety regulation.

“And then CASA, oblivious to all that, puts out a draft CRIS which says they’re going to raise by their accounting 90 new charges,’’ he said...  

Although strong words from AerialAg Phil - & words that are respected by many in the industry - it is just one voice. And unfortunately for Phil his reputation has been tarnished in the eyes of the bureaucratic/Mandarin/Board class after the very public slanging match between the Board Chair Hawke & himself over the two highly critical AAAA Forsyth submissions (which incidently received many choccy frogs from the IOS.. )

However the Oz article did go onto say...

"...The Australian Aviation Associations Forum, the peak body for aviation groups, last month urged Mr Truss as well as the new Civil Aviation Safety Authority board and the authority’s boss Mark Skidmore to pursue “a fundamental improvement in aviation in Australia”

It called on Mr Truss’s letter of intent to direct CASA to follow a new path of co-operation that would cut outmoded regulation..."

...which would indicate that other members of TAAAF had got wind of the Fort Fumble announcement?? So finally after more than a week - of this unsavoury announcement being out - there is pushback...  

From the Australian Aviation online - Industry calls for rethink of new CASA charges 

{Comment: Personally that headline & the article itself was too wet lettuce & Politically Corrected so I've decided not to replicate in full, IMO Hitchen's version is much more to IOS liking..  }

& Oz Flying -

CASA charges a raft of fees for services under the Federal Government's cost recovery scheme. (CASA)


Associations belt CASA over New Charges
02 Apr 2015

An aviation associations forum has slammed CASA for proposing 90 new fees at a time when the aviation industry is being economically squeezed.

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) has responded to a draft CASA Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS) in a statement released today.

"In this environment it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency," the statement says.

"Industry has concerns about the lack of urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms by a cohort of long term managers within CASA."

According to the statement, TAAAF also told CASA it should tighten its own belt and focus on cost reduction and becoming more efficient before looking to increase revenue from the aviation industry.

"At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two States and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and
CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune.

"On one side sits the Government’s budget predicament, Government’s red tape reduction plan, the Government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost neutral on industry and the Government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review."

TAAAF states that the aviation industry's reaction to the draft CRIS is "hostile" and proposes several measures that they have asked Minister Warren Truss to consider instead, including:

• Reject the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS)
  
• Refer CASA to the Government directive that new regulations should be cost neutral
  
• Refer CASA to the Government policy on red tape reduction
  
• Direct CASA to implement the Government’s response to the Forsyth Report
  
• Include a direction in his Letter of Expectations that CASA focus on cost reduction before more cost recovery
  
• Direct CASA to establish a joint industry/CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them, with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety.
  
  

 The draft CRIS is available on the CASA website along with the details of how to comment.

Top stuff TAAAF & remember.." united we stand divided we fall" 

TICK TOCK miniscule!

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

Except for this comment from Phil Hurst last week in the Oz article - CASA seeks to hike fees as $25m loss looms - other industry stalwarts have been particularly quiet??

...Aerial Agriculture Association of Australia chief executive Phil Hurst said there seemed to be a contradiction between CASA’s approach and government policy that new regulations should be cost neutral and red tape should be reduced.


Mr Hurst said the industry was also still waiting for Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to provide a letter of intent that gave effect to the findings of the Forsyth review on aviation safety regulation.

“And then CASA, oblivious to all that, puts out a draft CRIS which says they’re going to raise by their accounting 90 new charges,’’ he said...  

Although strong words from AerialAg Phil - & words that are respected by many in the industry - it is just one voice. And unfortunately for Phil his reputation has been tarnished in the eyes of the bureaucratic/Mandarin/Board class after the very public slanging match between the Board Chair Hawke & himself over the two highly critical AAAA Forsyth submissions (which incidently received many choccy frogs from the IOS.. )

However the Oz article did go onto say...

"...The Australian Aviation Associations Forum, the peak body for aviation groups, last month urged Mr Truss as well as the new Civil Aviation Safety Authority board and the authority’s boss Mark Skidmore to pursue “a fundamental improvement in aviation in Australia”

It called on Mr Truss’s letter of intent to direct CASA to follow a new path of co-operation that would cut outmoded regulation..."

...which would indicate that other members of TAAAF had got wind of the Fort Fumble announcement?? So finally after more than a week - of this unsavoury announcement being out - there is pushback...  

From the Australian Aviation online - Industry calls for rethink of new CASA charges 

{Comment: Personally that headline & the article itself was too wet lettuce & Politically Corrected so I've decided not to replicate in full, IMO Hitchen's version is much more to IOS liking..  }

& Oz Flying -

CASA charges a raft of fees for services under the Federal Government's cost recovery scheme. (CASA)


Associations belt CASA over New Charges
02 Apr 2015

An aviation associations forum has slammed CASA for proposing 90 new fees at a time when the aviation industry is being economically squeezed.

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) has responded to a draft CASA Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS) in a statement released today.

"In this environment it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency," the statement says.

"Industry has concerns about the lack of urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms by a cohort of long term managers within CASA."

According to the statement, TAAAF also told CASA it should tighten its own belt and focus on cost reduction and becoming more efficient before looking to increase revenue from the aviation industry.

"At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two States and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and
CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune.

"On one side sits the Government’s budget predicament, Government’s red tape reduction plan, the Government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost neutral on industry and the Government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review."

TAAAF states that the aviation industry's reaction to the draft CRIS is "hostile" and proposes several measures that they have asked Minister Warren Truss to consider instead, including:

• Reject the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS)
  
• Refer CASA to the Government directive that new regulations should be cost neutral
  
• Refer CASA to the Government policy on red tape reduction
  
• Direct CASA to implement the Government’s response to the Forsyth Report
  
• Include a direction in his Letter of Expectations that CASA focus on cost reduction before more cost recovery
  
• Direct CASA to establish a joint industry/CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them, with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety.
  
  

 The draft CRIS is available on the CASA website along with the details of how to comment.

Top stuff TAAAF & remember.." united we stand divided we fall" 

TICK TOCK miniscule!

MTF...P2

TAAAF nobody's April Fool?? - MKII

Courtesy ProAviation...

Aviation fights back on new government charges plan.

April 2. 2015


A forum comprising Australia’s leading aviation industry representative groups has demanded that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority tightens its belt, becomes more efficient, and reviews those of its activities that contribute little to aviation safety while imposing new levels of regulation that industry is describing as “botched and unworkable.”


The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) was responding to a CASA draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS) told the regulator:


“At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two States and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune.


“In this environment it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new [Civil Aviation Safety Regulation] Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency. Industry has concerns about the lack of urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms by a cohort of long term managers within CASA.”


The Forsyth Review received 269 submissions from all facets of aviation, and reported that the three most common issues across all submissions were the regulatory reform program (136); CASA’s inflexible regulatory approach (120); and the need for more promotion of aviation (90).


The Review Panel estimated that the reform program would take at least another five years to complete.” That timeframe of course, would depend on when the reform process actually starts. But even then, the ASRR warns that the program’s founding goals won’t be attained:


The final product of regulatory reform will not meet the aviation community’s needs and will not be consistent with the ICAO principles for plain language, easily understood, safety rules. Nor will the final regulations be harmonised with those of any foreign jurisdiction. The 25-plus year history of regulatory reform has been consuming the industry, and distracting the aviation community from the objective of managing safety in its operations. On this basis, the Panel concludes that continuing along the current path is not in the interests of aviation safety in Australia and that a new approach must be developed for regulatory reform.


The TAAAF is therefore pressing for urgent government intervention to conform with its own cost-saving policies:


“On one side sits the Government’s budget predicament, Government’s red tape reduction plan, the Government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost neutral on industry and the Government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review”.


“Unfortunately, the Minister’s critical letter of expectations to CASA is still missing in action and this needs to be remedied urgently. That letter should include a clear direction for CASA to reduce costs, up to and including a reduction in staff.”

Participants in the Forum ask Deputy Prime Minister Truss to:


• Reject the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS)

• Refer CASA to the Government directive that new regulations should be cost neutral

• Refer CASA to the Government policy on red tape reduction

• Direct CASA to implement the Government’s response to the Forsyth Report

• Include a direction in his Letter of Expectations that CASA focus on cost reduction before more cost recovery

• Direct CASA to establish a joint industry/CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them, with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety.


TAAAF acknowledges that new CASA Director Mark Skidmore and the revamped Board are clearly engaged and focused on the challenging job at hand. However it warns: “They should make no mistake as to industry’s hostile reception of the CRIS proposal to simply increase charges before an attempt to improve efficiency.”

Cheers Paul...

MTF..P2

[Peetwo]

TAAAF nobody's April Fool?? - MKIII

Yep Thorny old Murky Mrdak has a lot to answer for...along with Pink Batts; Secondary Airport sell-offs masquerading as lease agreements; (& despite overwhelming industry condemnation of McComic's reign at the helm of CASA) endorsing McCormic for the  nomination of SecGen of ICAO; the list goes on...and on.

However probably Murky's biggest sin is to have overseen & help to perpetuate a 25+ years of regulatory reform at a cost of approx 300 million dollars of taxpayer funds for what?? An almost totally unusable & indecipherable suite of regs that is still not completed and is fast becoming outdated and obsolete, in some cases before they are even enacted.

P7 post - Another Canberra gab fest extravaganza - gives a good summary of the TAAAF concerted effort to garner traction in Canberra but they do need industry backing to keep the issues front & centre..

P7 quote "...Despite the lack of media coverage, some writers try to keep the community informed.  The recent TAAAF forum made some strong, positive statements, reported here by Paul Pheelan @ ProAviation....

....Other industry associations need to fully support these calls by making similar statements and they could (collectively) consider the recent action taken by ALAEA, through Nick Xenophon and the Senate to knock Part 61 out of any reform process and a way to fund such a move..."

Which brings me to the latest TAAAF coverage this time from Dougy:

• Editor's Insights 2 April 2015
  

Forum tells CASA to get efficient first
07 Apr 2015

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) has responded to a CASA draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS) by telling the regulator to tighten its belt, become more efficient and review those of its activities that contribute little to aviation safety.
At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two States and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune.

On one side sits the Government’s budget predicament, Government’s red tape reduction plan, the Government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost neutral on industry and the Government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review.

In this environment it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency.

Industry has concerns about the lack of urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms by a cohort of long term managers within CASA.

The new CASA Director of Aviation and the revamped Board are clearly engaged and focused on the challenging job at hand. They should make no mistake as to industry’s hostile reception of the CRIS proposal to simply increase charges before an attempt to improve efficiency.
Unfortunately, the Minister’s critical letter of expectations to CASA is still missing in action and this needs to be remedied urgently. That letter should include a clear direction for CASA to reduce costs, up to and including a reduction in staff.

Participants in the Forum ask Deputy Prime Minister Truss to:

•   Reject the draft Cost Recovery Implementation Strategy (CRIS)
  
•   Refer CASA to the Government directive that new regulations should be cost neutral
  
•   Refer CASA to the Government policy on red tape reduction
  
•   Direct CASA to implement the Government’s response to the Forsyth Report
  
•   Include a direction in his Letter of Expectations that CASA focus on cost reduction before more cost recovery
  
•   Direct CASA to establish a joint industry/CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them, with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety. 
  

  
So come on IOS start speaking up...FFS P2  

[Peetwo]

Skates v  Tezza the (GWM) Fat Control Freak - The battle lines are drawn 

From: Dougy's insight 09 April 2015

"...Please note the press release from The Australian Aviation Associations Forum in this week’s news line up. The release, calling for CASA to tighten its belt before going after more cost recovery, was issued after what I hear was a particularly good session with CAS Mark Skidmore. Apparently though, when the CAS had left the room there was a less engaging position taken by Skidmore’s deputy, which left some in the room seething.


As pointed out by the TAAAF, the basic problem here is the failure of the Minister’s office to get that statement of expectations of CASA out where it can do some good as a reference point. 

I do hear that the ‘new’ CASA board is shaping up well, but again that body desperately needs the statement of expectations to work to. One of the real strengths on the board is Jeff Boyd, who has come out of the same culture that TAAAF - and the RAAA - represents.

The sentiment that I’m picking up from industry is: enough consultation, lets get on with reform.


CASA has now issued its own statement to clarify ‘cost recovery’ and proposed new fees: CASA does not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services. The current proposals relate to the introduction of the new flight crew licensing suite of regulations - with many current fees simply being replaced by fees that apply under the new regulations.  No existing fees will be increased. There are some new fees being proposed.  However, the changes are forecast to be cost neutral due to the old fees being replaced..."

From Oz Flying:

Aviation House: CASA's headquarters in the Canberra suburb of Woden. (Bidgee)


CASA hits back over New Fee Proposals
09 Apr 2015

CASA has responded to calls from The Australian Aviation Associations Forum to cut the cost of regulation rather than introduce new fees.
In a statement sent out today, a CASA spokesperson said they expected that the 90 new fees proposed will not increase the cost of regulation to industry.

"CASA understands concerns within the aviation community about proposed changes to cost recovery for regulatory services and is committed to keeping the costs of aviation safety regulation as low as is possible at all times," the statement says. "CASA does not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services."

"The current proposals relate to the introduction of the new flight crew licensing suite of regulations - with many current fees simply being replaced by fees that apply under the new regulations. No existing fees will be increased.

"There are some new fees being proposed. However, the changes are forecast to be cost neutral due to the old fees being replaced.
"CASA is undertaking full consultation on the proposed fees changes.  The proposed changes were released for comment on 23 February 2015 and the comment period does not close until 23 April 2015. CASA will carefully review all comments on the proposed fee changes and seriously consider all suggestions for amendments or changes.

The statement also says that CASA agrees with the sentiments of the aviation community when it came to efficiency and cost reduction programs, saying it is committed to the Federal Government’s red tape reduction program and the need for new regulations to be cost neutral.

The comment period for the new fee schedule is open until 23 April. Submissions can be made on the CASA website.

Yep game on I reckon...MTF P2

UITA & Gobbles FYI here was a disturbing Oz Flying article on the Rotorhead industry published through the week:

Robinson R44. (Steve Hitchen)

• CASA hits back over New Fee Proposals
  

• Associations belt CASA over New Charges
  

Helicopter Growth Rate slows to almost Zero
08 Apr 2015

Growth in the Australian helicopter industry has slowed to almost zero according to the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA).
In their quarterly report for January-March 2015, AHIA noted that after 20 years of 7-8% per year growth, there has been very little expansion in the industry since June 2014. In fact, only 10 new rotary-wing aircraft were added to the register since then, a growth of a mere 0.62%.

AHIA Public Officer and Company Secretary Rob Rich blamed several factors for the sudden halt in growth.

"There are many factors causing this setback," he said in the report. "Some are:

• [the] Federal government’s financial problems following the ongoing budget crisis; where the attempt to the cut spending patterns of the last government are striking fierce resistance. This has led to nervous investors on the fringe of the aviation industry
  
• The collapse of the Australian dollar has made acquisition of aviation assets more expensive to buy and operate. The slight increase in aviation tourism activities has only provided token compensation
  
• The Deputy Prime Minister (our defacto Aviation Minister) has been unsuccessful in avoiding the paralysis of the CASA Board and senior management due to key people leaving at end of their contract, after the last election. This situation has run almost 12 months. Sadly, it started at the same time as the roll out of the new CASR legislation began to gather momentum leaving only caretakers at the helm!
  
• The end of the mineral export boom, lower oil prices, long running droughts in northern Australia and general global financial difficulties have added to the latent problems effecting our industry
  
• The unexpected election of a Labor Government in Queensland, and the current political crisis which may force another snap election, has meant policies on management of state resources are not yet been drafted."
  
  

Australia currently has a fleet of 2114 helicopters, made up of 1304 single-engine pistons, 563 single-engine turbines and 247 multi-engine aircraft.

 
Paints a grim picture when you consider that only a year before there was record growth rates in the rotary-wing sector which far & away exceeded any other sector of a struggling GA industry. Is it any wonder then that the AHIA are jumping up & down wanting Skates to get a wriggle on...

However from all reports the current roadblock is not of DAS Skidmore's making (from Dougy's insight quote above)...  

"...Apparently though, when the CDAS had left the room there was a less engaging position taken by Skidmore’s deputy, which left some in the room seething..."

This division within - apparently lead by the GWM, A380 endorsed, Chardonnay drinking, geriatric, Fat Controller Tezza - was also highlighted in the Steve Creedy rehash of the CASA vs TAAAF story:

Call for CASA to tighten belt not fees  

by: STEVE CREEDY



Aviation Editor
Sydney


The peak body representing ­aviation industry groups has called on the air safety regulator to “tighten its belt’’ rather than introduce a raft of new charges related to controversial rule changes.  

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum was responding to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s recently released cost recovery implementation statement.

The regulator is not proposing in the draft policy to increase the overall amount it is seeking from the industry, even though it ­predicts revenues from regulatory services this financial year will fall more than $25 million short of costs. While it is not planning to raise ­existing fees, which have ­traditionally produced cost recovery revenue from aviation regulatory services of below $15m, it has proposed applying hourly rates to several new areas.

Many of these are associated with the controversial introduction of new Part 61 regulations on flight crew licensing that have ­angered aviation groups at the small end of town. They include new fees for testing, approvals, professional development and ­endorsements.

The industry forum says about 90 new fees associated with Part 61 will be introduced as a result of the proposed cost recovery policy and has called on CASA instead to boost efficiency and review activities that contributed little to ­aviation safety.

“At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a ­significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two states and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune,’’ the forum said in a ­communiqué.

“On one side sits the government’s budget predicament, government’s red tape reduction plan, the government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost-neutral on industry, and the government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review.

“In this environment, it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency.’’

"..The forum said industry was concerned about the lack of ­urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms “by a cohort of long term-managers within CASA." .."

The new CASA Director of Aviation Safety and the revamped board are clearly engaged and ­focused on the challenging job at hand,’’ TAAAF said.
“They should make no mistake as to industry’s hostile reception of the CRIS proposal to simply ­increase charges before an ­attempt to improve ­efficiency.’’

The forum also reiterated concerns that Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss had yet to deliver a letter telling CASA what was expected of it.
It said the letter should include a clear direction for CASA to reduce costs, up to and including a reduction in staff.

It also called on Mr Truss to ­direct the regulator to a joint ­industry-CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them “with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety’’.

CASA said it understood ­concerns within the aviation ­community about the proposed cost recovery changes and it was committed to keeping the costs of aviation safety regulation as low as is possible at all times.

The authority said it did not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services and the current proposals relating to the new flight crew licensing rules would see many current fees simply replaced by fees applying under the new regulations.

“No existing fees will be increased,’’ it said.

“There are some new fees being proposed. However, the changes are forecast to be cost-neutral due to the old fees being replaced.’’
The authority also emphasised it was undertaking full consultation on the proposed fee changes and the comment period did not close until April 23.

“CASA will carefully review all comments on the proposed fee changes and seriously consider all suggestions for amendments or changes,’’ it said.

    
Hmm...might have to drag out the PAIN dirt file on Tezza & his corrupt mates in the Iron Ring...

MTF...you bet P2

[Peetwo]

Skates v  Tezza the (GWM) Fat Control Freak - The battle lines are drawn 

From: Dougy's insight 09 April 2015

"...Please note the press release from The Australian Aviation Associations Forum in this week’s news line up. The release, calling for CASA to tighten its belt before going after more cost recovery, was issued after what I hear was a particularly good session with CAS Mark Skidmore. Apparently though, when the CAS had left the room there was a less engaging position taken by Skidmore’s deputy, which left some in the room seething.


As pointed out by the TAAAF, the basic problem here is the failure of the Minister’s office to get that statement of expectations of CASA out where it can do some good as a reference point. 

I do hear that the ‘new’ CASA board is shaping up well, but again that body desperately needs the statement of expectations to work to. One of the real strengths on the board is Jeff Boyd, who has come out of the same culture that TAAAF - and the RAAA - represents.

The sentiment that I’m picking up from industry is: enough consultation, lets get on with reform.


CASA has now issued its own statement to clarify ‘cost recovery’ and proposed new fees: CASA does not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services. The current proposals relate to the introduction of the new flight crew licensing suite of regulations - with many current fees simply being replaced by fees that apply under the new regulations.  No existing fees will be increased. There are some new fees being proposed.  However, the changes are forecast to be cost neutral due to the old fees being replaced..."

From Oz Flying:

Aviation House: CASA's headquarters in the Canberra suburb of Woden. (Bidgee)


CASA hits back over New Fee Proposals
09 Apr 2015

CASA has responded to calls from The Australian Aviation Associations Forum to cut the cost of regulation rather than introduce new fees.
In a statement sent out today, a CASA spokesperson said they expected that the 90 new fees proposed will not increase the cost of regulation to industry.

"CASA understands concerns within the aviation community about proposed changes to cost recovery for regulatory services and is committed to keeping the costs of aviation safety regulation as low as is possible at all times," the statement says. "CASA does not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services."

"The current proposals relate to the introduction of the new flight crew licensing suite of regulations - with many current fees simply being replaced by fees that apply under the new regulations. No existing fees will be increased.

"There are some new fees being proposed. However, the changes are forecast to be cost neutral due to the old fees being replaced.
"CASA is undertaking full consultation on the proposed fees changes.  The proposed changes were released for comment on 23 February 2015 and the comment period does not close until 23 April 2015. CASA will carefully review all comments on the proposed fee changes and seriously consider all suggestions for amendments or changes.

The statement also says that CASA agrees with the sentiments of the aviation community when it came to efficiency and cost reduction programs, saying it is committed to the Federal Government’s red tape reduction program and the need for new regulations to be cost neutral.

The comment period for the new fee schedule is open until 23 April. Submissions can be made on the CASA website.

Yep game on I reckon...MTF P2

UITA & Gobbles FYI here was a disturbing Oz Flying article on the Rotorhead industry published through the week:

Robinson R44. (Steve Hitchen)

• CASA hits back over New Fee Proposals
  

• Associations belt CASA over New Charges
  

Helicopter Growth Rate slows to almost Zero
08 Apr 2015

Growth in the Australian helicopter industry has slowed to almost zero according to the Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA).
In their quarterly report for January-March 2015, AHIA noted that after 20 years of 7-8% per year growth, there has been very little expansion in the industry since June 2014. In fact, only 10 new rotary-wing aircraft were added to the register since then, a growth of a mere 0.62%.

AHIA Public Officer and Company Secretary Rob Rich blamed several factors for the sudden halt in growth.

"There are many factors causing this setback," he said in the report. "Some are:

• [the] Federal government’s financial problems following the ongoing budget crisis; where the attempt to the cut spending patterns of the last government are striking fierce resistance. This has led to nervous investors on the fringe of the aviation industry
  
• The collapse of the Australian dollar has made acquisition of aviation assets more expensive to buy and operate. The slight increase in aviation tourism activities has only provided token compensation
  
• The Deputy Prime Minister (our defacto Aviation Minister) has been unsuccessful in avoiding the paralysis of the CASA Board and senior management due to key people leaving at end of their contract, after the last election. This situation has run almost 12 months. Sadly, it started at the same time as the roll out of the new CASR legislation began to gather momentum leaving only caretakers at the helm!
  
• The end of the mineral export boom, lower oil prices, long running droughts in northern Australia and general global financial difficulties have added to the latent problems effecting our industry
  
• The unexpected election of a Labor Government in Queensland, and the current political crisis which may force another snap election, has meant policies on management of state resources are not yet been drafted."
  
  

Australia currently has a fleet of 2114 helicopters, made up of 1304 single-engine pistons, 563 single-engine turbines and 247 multi-engine aircraft.

 
Paints a grim picture when you consider that only a year before there was record growth rates in the rotary-wing sector which far & away exceeded any other sector of a struggling GA industry. Is it any wonder then that the AHIA are jumping up & down wanting Skates to get a wriggle on...

However from all reports the current roadblock is not of DAS Skidmore's making (from Dougy's insight quote above)...  

"...Apparently though, when the CDAS had left the room there was a less engaging position taken by Skidmore’s deputy, which left some in the room seething..."

This division within - apparently lead by the GWM, A380 endorsed, Chardonnay drinking, geriatric, Fat Controller Tezza - was also highlighted in the Steve Creedy rehash of the CASA vs TAAAF story:

Call for CASA to tighten belt not fees  

by: STEVE CREEDY



Aviation Editor
Sydney


The peak body representing ­aviation industry groups has called on the air safety regulator to “tighten its belt’’ rather than introduce a raft of new charges related to controversial rule changes.  

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum was responding to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s recently released cost recovery implementation statement.

The regulator is not proposing in the draft policy to increase the overall amount it is seeking from the industry, even though it ­predicts revenues from regulatory services this financial year will fall more than $25 million short of costs. While it is not planning to raise ­existing fees, which have ­traditionally produced cost recovery revenue from aviation regulatory services of below $15m, it has proposed applying hourly rates to several new areas.

Many of these are associated with the controversial introduction of new Part 61 regulations on flight crew licensing that have ­angered aviation groups at the small end of town. They include new fees for testing, approvals, professional development and ­endorsements.

The industry forum says about 90 new fees associated with Part 61 will be introduced as a result of the proposed cost recovery policy and has called on CASA instead to boost efficiency and review activities that contributed little to ­aviation safety.

“At a time when many aviation industry sectors are suffering a ­significant economic downturn due to the end of the mining boom, drought in two states and a multi-decade general decline in activity, all parts of the industry have had to tighten their belts and CASA’s regulatory services should not be immune,’’ the forum said in a ­communiqué.

“On one side sits the government’s budget predicament, government’s red tape reduction plan, the government direction regarding new regulations having to be cost-neutral on industry, and the government’s announced adoption of most of the recommendations of the highly critical Forsyth Aviation Review.

“In this environment, it is not appropriate for CASA to propose some 90 new charges related to the bungled new Part 61 for pilot licensing, and to maintain complex bureaucratic systems that fail to deliver efficiency.’’

"..The forum said industry was concerned about the lack of ­urgency in reform and denial of the Forsyth report criticisms “by a cohort of long term-managers within CASA." .."

The new CASA Director of Aviation Safety and the revamped board are clearly engaged and ­focused on the challenging job at hand,’’ TAAAF said.
“They should make no mistake as to industry’s hostile reception of the CRIS proposal to simply ­increase charges before an ­attempt to improve ­efficiency.’’

The forum also reiterated concerns that Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss had yet to deliver a letter telling CASA what was expected of it.
It said the letter should include a clear direction for CASA to reduce costs, up to and including a reduction in staff.

It also called on Mr Truss to ­direct the regulator to a joint ­industry-CASA taskforce to review all charges and the efficiency of the systems behind them “with a view to eliminating activities and their accompanying charges where they make no contribution to safety’’.

CASA said it understood ­concerns within the aviation ­community about the proposed cost recovery changes and it was committed to keeping the costs of aviation safety regulation as low as is possible at all times.

The authority said it did not recover the full cost of providing regulatory services and the current proposals relating to the new flight crew licensing rules would see many current fees simply replaced by fees applying under the new regulations.

“No existing fees will be increased,’’ it said.

“There are some new fees being proposed. However, the changes are forecast to be cost-neutral due to the old fees being replaced.’’
The authority also emphasised it was undertaking full consultation on the proposed fee changes and the comment period did not close until April 23.

“CASA will carefully review all comments on the proposed fee changes and seriously consider all suggestions for amendments or changes,’’ it said.

    
Hmm...might have to drag out the PAIN dirt file on Tezza & his corrupt mates in the Iron Ring...

MTF...you bet P2

From Oz Flying - The Last Minute Hitch: 10 April 2015

...CASA and The Australian Aviation Associations Forum have both had their say on the new fees schedule proposed. Naturally, TAAAF has paid out on the regulator, drawing a pretty solid defence from CASA. Neither party is staffed with idiots, so how can such polarised views come from the same discussion paper? TAAAF's contention that CASA needs to control costs is absolutely right, so much so that CASA agrees with it! CASA states quite emphatically that the fees don't recover all the costs and the 90 new ones to be introduced replace old ones that are being phased out as Part 61 phases in. Ah ... Part 61. There is a lot said in that little title. Part 61 on licensing has not gone down well with anyone in the industry, and now CASA says they are going to charge us for what TAAAF describes as a "debacle." No-one likes being charged for a debacle, so maybe the fee structure would have been better accepted had CASA first proven the new system was worth paying for.

The Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) has noted the sudden stall in growth figures in the rotary aviation sector. After 20 years of good news, it's probably fair that they are alarmed about it all. Of all the reasons attributed, perhaps the most telling is the downturn in the resources sector. Like most of Australia, we've been relying heavily on mining and exploration for money to flow into the industry, but now the flow is starting to ebb a bit, we need to think about new income streams. Not so easy to do in the helicopter industry (or fixed-wing for that matter) because any mission that needs a rotary and can sustain the cost is already doing it ... that's what 20 years of growth has been about...

MTF..P2

[Gobbledock]

Nice work Peetwo, a tidy collection of articles, industry comments and tidbits relating to the often forgotten but highly necessary Whirlybird industry. To start with, the current growth rate of 0.62% is absolutely abysmal after the preceding years growth. Now as with any environment there are numerous factors affecting the Helo industry at the moment including belt tightening, the AUD, and the mining/resource slowdown, to be sure. However, the incessant and rampant molestation of the regulations including the Part 61 folly has caused the biggest damage. The Helo industry has been forced to grab it's ankles and a fully blooded CAsA has torn the industry a new one! Helo operations are extremely cost sensitive, most margins are small while outlays are high. All you need is Inspector Plod to come in armed with his red pen and comprehensive unworkable rule set and you end up with the current malaise - a section of industry haemorrhaging more than Farmer Truss's exit hole after a night on the brandy and vindaloo's.

I'm still willing to cut Skidmore a small measure of slack, at this point in time. It's still early days, he has some support in Boyd, and some of the whispers that I am hearing from around the traps of sleepy hollows executive structure is that the GWM are indeed trying to white ant him. So believe it or not that is a good thing! Why? Well it shows that Skates may just be trying to do the right thing. The GWM have never understood the industry coal face nor have they ever given a fist full of monkey crap about it. Then again they did that to Byron and Smith, so will evil triumph over good yet again? Going on past history one would say, unfortunately, yes. However in the past you didn't have someone like Boyd on the Board and you didn't have the same degree of senate pineapples that Nick, Fawcett and friends seem to have in their arsenal.

Personally I think this game has a few interesting hands yet to be dealt. Although this isn't the topic being discussed here, the fact that the CAsA/ATsB MOU has a very different 'wording' format to the previous one (those with a robust eye for detail will understand where I am coming from) could indicate that the 'previous author' who likely has a penchant for using intellectual PHD style writing as masturbation fodder, has been left mostly out in the cold when it comes to the most recent version. Will GA, the Helo industry and other aviation sectors survive the relentless CAsA buggery that has escalated in recent times? I don't know, the jury is still out on that one, but I do know that the clock doesn't have much tick left in it.

Cue the 60 Minutes stopwatch......tick tick tick tick

[Peetwo]

Nice work Peetwo, a tidy collection of articles, industry comments and tidbits relating to the often forgotten but highly necessary Whirlybird industry. To start with, the current growth rate of 0.62% is absolutely abysmal after the preceding years growth. Now as with any environment there are numerous factors affecting the Helo industry at the moment including belt tightening, the AUD, and the mining/resource slowdown, to be sure. However, the incessant and rampant molestation of the regulations including the Part 61 folly has caused the biggest damage. The Helo industry has been forced to grab it's ankles and a fully blooded CAsA has torn the industry a new one! Helo operations are extremely cost sensitive, most margins are small while outlays are high. All you need is Inspector Plod to come in armed with his red pen and comprehensive unworkable rule set and you end up with the current malaise - a section of industry haemorrhaging more than Farmer Truss's exit hole after a night on the brandy and vindaloo's.

I'm still willing to cut Skidmore a small measure of slack, at this point in time. It's still early days, he has some support in Boyd, and some of the whispers that I am hearing from around the traps of sleepy hollows executive structure is that the GWM are indeed trying to white ant him. So believe it or not that is a good thing! Why? Well it shows that Skates may just be trying to do the right thing. The GWM have never understood the industry coal face nor have they ever given a fist full of monkey crap about it. Then again they did that to Byron and Smith, so will evil triumph over good yet again? Going on past history one would say, unfortunately, yes. However in the past you didn't have someone like Boyd on the Board and you didn't have the same degree of senate pineapples that Nick, Fawcett and friends seem to have in their arsenal.

Personally I think this game has a few interesting hands yet to be dealt. Although this isn't the topic being discussed here, the fact that the CAsA/ATsB MOU has a very different 'wording' format to the previous one (those with a robust eye for detail will understand where I am coming from) could indicate that the 'previous author' who likely has a penchant for using intellectual PHD style writing as masturbation fodder, has been left mostly out in the cold when it comes to the most recent version. Will GA, the Helo industry and other aviation sectors survive the relentless CAsA buggery that has escalated in recent times? I don't know, the jury is still out on that one, but I do know that the clock doesn't have much tick left in it.

Cue the 60 Minutes stopwatch......tick tick tick tick

....

More on Rotorhead woes this time from Paul Phelan:

CASA rulemaking uncertainty stalls rescue chopper plans

Leave a reply

Paul Phelan, April 4 2015

The South Australian government’s State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) has been forced to cancel a request for proposals (RFP) to helicopter operators because of uncertainty over the future costs changes after full implementation of CASR (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations).

A letter from the SA Attorney General’s Department to interested parties has explained the department’s understanding that details provided to prospective tenderers were likely to be outdated while tenders were being prepared.

“I am writing to advise that, unfortunately, the State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) Request for Proposal 13/1113 (the ‘RFP’) issued to you in January 2014 has been terminated. This takes effect immediately and is in keeping with the Bid Rules of the RFP.

Our decision to terminate the RFP follows the events and our learnings subsequent to the RFP’s issue, including:

• the likely combined consequence of regulation changes that Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) earlier forecasted to operators of rotary wing aircraft services, such as the SRHS;
  
• in December 2014, CASA confirming its intention and support to legislate those changes.
  
  

Our conclusion was the impending CASA regulation changes will demand similarly substantial changes to the SRHS requirements described in the RFP.

The end result is that it has left us with no option but to conduct a comprehensive reassessment of what the future needs of the SRHS will be and how to best meet them, taking into account the impending CASA regulation changes.

Subject to more certainty about the impending CASA regulations and SA Cabinet approval, our intention is to recommend a new approach to the open market in 2016, to meet the future requirements of the SRHS.

The multi-unit service has been operated since December 2005 on a seven-year contract with Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd. In a shared-user arrangement unique to South Australia, the service is used by SA police, bushfire management and emergency medical retrieval services to the SA community.

Asked about interim arrangements the SA Attorney-General’s office said: “At this stage we are unable to comment on the interim arrangements for the State Rescue Helicopter Service as it is subject to approval and finalisation.”

 
Cheers Paul...P2

[Peetwo]

Nice work Peetwo, a tidy collection of articles, industry comments and tidbits relating to the often forgotten but highly necessary Whirlybird industry. To start with, the current growth rate of 0.62% is absolutely abysmal after the preceding years growth. Now as with any environment there are numerous factors affecting the Helo industry at the moment including belt tightening, the AUD, and the mining/resource slowdown, to be sure. However, the incessant and rampant molestation of the regulations including the Part 61 folly has caused the biggest damage. The Helo industry has been forced to grab it's ankles and a fully blooded CAsA has torn the industry a new one! Helo operations are extremely cost sensitive, most margins are small while outlays are high. All you need is Inspector Plod to come in armed with his red pen and comprehensive unworkable rule set and you end up with the current malaise - a section of industry haemorrhaging more than Farmer Truss's exit hole after a night on the brandy and vindaloo's.

I'm still willing to cut Skidmore a small measure of slack, at this point in time. It's still early days, he has some support in Boyd, and some of the whispers that I am hearing from around the traps of sleepy hollows executive structure is that the GWM are indeed trying to white ant him. So believe it or not that is a good thing! Why? Well it shows that Skates may just be trying to do the right thing. The GWM have never understood the industry coal face nor have they ever given a fist full of monkey crap about it. Then again they did that to Byron and Smith, so will evil triumph over good yet again? Going on past history one would say, unfortunately, yes. However in the past you didn't have someone like Boyd on the Board and you didn't have the same degree of senate pineapples that Nick, Fawcett and friends seem to have in their arsenal.

Personally I think this game has a few interesting hands yet to be dealt. Although this isn't the topic being discussed here, the fact that the CAsA/ATsB MOU has a very different 'wording' format to the previous one (those with a robust eye for detail will understand where I am coming from) could indicate that the 'previous author' who likely has a penchant for using intellectual PHD style writing as masturbation fodder, has been left mostly out in the cold when it comes to the most recent version. Will GA, the Helo industry and other aviation sectors survive the relentless CAsA buggery that has escalated in recent times? I don't know, the jury is still out on that one, but I do know that the clock doesn't have much tick left in it.

Cue the 60 Minutes stopwatch......tick tick tick tick

....

More on Rotorhead woes this time from Paul Phelan:

CASA rulemaking uncertainty stalls rescue chopper plans

Leave a reply

Paul Phelan, April 4 2015

The South Australian government’s State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) has been forced to cancel a request for proposals (RFP) to helicopter operators because of uncertainty over the future costs changes after full implementation of CASR (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations).

A letter from the SA Attorney General’s Department to interested parties has explained the department’s understanding that details provided to prospective tenderers were likely to be outdated while tenders were being prepared.

“I am writing to advise that, unfortunately, the State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) Request for Proposal 13/1113 (the ‘RFP’) issued to you in January 2014 has been terminated. This takes effect immediately and is in keeping with the Bid Rules of the RFP.

Our decision to terminate the RFP follows the events and our learnings subsequent to the RFP’s issue, including:

• the likely combined consequence of regulation changes that Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) earlier forecasted to operators of rotary wing aircraft services, such as the SRHS;
  
• in December 2014, CASA confirming its intention and support to legislate those changes.
  
  

Our conclusion was the impending CASA regulation changes will demand similarly substantial changes to the SRHS requirements described in the RFP.

The end result is that it has left us with no option but to conduct a comprehensive reassessment of what the future needs of the SRHS will be and how to best meet them, taking into account the impending CASA regulation changes.

Subject to more certainty about the impending CASA regulations and SA Cabinet approval, our intention is to recommend a new approach to the open market in 2016, to meet the future requirements of the SRHS.

The multi-unit service has been operated since December 2005 on a seven-year contract with Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd. In a shared-user arrangement unique to South Australia, the service is used by SA police, bushfire management and emergency medical retrieval services to the SA community.

Asked about interim arrangements the SA Attorney-General’s office said: “At this stage we are unable to comment on the interim arrangements for the State Rescue Helicopter Service as it is subject to approval and finalisation.”

 
Cheers Paul...P2

Not quite hot off the press - actually not even mentioned in any sort of MSM outlet that I am aware of - was IMO an exemplary piece from Jim Davis the Chairman of RAAA in their Summer newsletter section titled..'From the Lefthand Seat'  (see my post here). 

Quote from that piece:

"...The old guard at CASA remains in place with no changes to senior management foreshadowed and no changes to the CASA board leadership until 30 June 2015. Most of the ASRR recommendations relate to CASA and will need CASA’s active involvement and support to implement them. It defies logic to have the management team that created the problems highlighted by the ASRR report to be charged with fixing those very same problems.

There is an obvious conflict of interest involved and for that reason alone this situation should not have been allowed to develop. We now have a CASA board leadership and incumbent senior management that firmly believes the ASRR report is flawed and we believe will contrive to discredit it and manipulate the Government’s responses to their own ends. Significantly, approximately half of the agreed recommendations are required to be finalized in the first half of 2015 while the CASA old guard is still in place

The Minister is to be congratulated for commissioning an excellent report, for selecting new board members with sound industry background and for replacing the Director of Aviation Safety. However unless something is done to bring forward the change in leadership of the CASA board and to restructure CASA senior management, all the good work so far may be largely undone. The Minister and the new DAS need to act now to ensure that the full intent of the ASRR report is delivered and not subverted by technical or legalistic arguments. In particular those items agreed to in principle should be given a fair and objective response, preferably with input from the report’s authors, and not just put on the shelf..."  



P2..

[Peetwo]

More on the story - Ombudsman says CASA needs to be more transparent - this time from the PSnews online.. :

Ombudsman calls on CASA to open up


The Commonwealth Ombudsman has called for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to be more transparent and accountable in dealing with matters of public safety.

In his report on CASA, Responding to coronial investigations, Ombudsman, Colin Neave said as the national regulator of the general aviation industry, "it is vital that CASA is alert to events and public commentary relevant to that role".

"Aviation fatalities and the coronial inquests that often follow provide CASA with important information about areas where changes to regulation and compliance activities may be warranted," he said.

Aviation Authority not accountable enough

The Ombudsman said his office was aware of "a number of instances" in which coroners investigating aviation deaths had made findings and recommendations to CASA.

Between 2009 and 2013, 153 people in Australia died in 120 general aviation aircraft accidents.

"Many of these accidents were the subject of coronial inquests, which perform an important function in publicly examining questions around public safety and making recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future," Mr Neave said.

"However, it appeared to us that the lack of public response or visible action by CASA made it difficult for the public (including other coroners considering similar matters) to establish whether CASA had considered or acted on those comments."

The report made eight recommendations and the Ombudsman will soon release a fact sheet outlining the administrative principles for responding to coronial recommendations.

"In particular, we recommended that CASA respond publicly to all coronial recommendations directed to it, to outline its reasons for accepting or refusing recommendations, and what it has done or will do to implement an accepted recommendation," the Ombudsman said.
"We also recommended it review its internal record-keeping arrangements to track its assessment and implementation of coronial recommendations."

CASA has agreed to all six recommendations in full and two either in principle or with minor qualifications.

"CASA was very responsive to our requests for information in relation to this investigation and we are confident of the steps it will take and is already taking to implement our suggestions," Mr Neave said.

The full report can be found at this PS News link.

Also a follow up to the Hitchen Oz Flying AHIA story -  Helicopter Growth Rate slows to almost Zero  - this time from Steve Creedy from the Oz:

Helicopter growth caught in the crossfire  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• From: The Australian
  
• April 17, 2015 12:00AM
  

Aviation Editor
Sydney




The local heli­copter industry could be headed for a slowdown in the next financial year. Source: News Limited
 
Growth in the Australian heli­copter industry appears to have stalled as it is caught in a crossfire of factors, including the fall in the dollar and the end of the mining boom.  

Research by the Australian Helicopter Industry Association showed the growth rate for rotary-wing aircraft slumped from 7.8 per cent in mid-2014 to less than 1 per cent for the nine months ending March. It warned the industry could be headed for a contraction in the next financial year.

The latest figure equated to the addition of just 10 helicopters over the nine months to bring the ­rotary-wing fleet to 2114 machines.
This included 1304 single-­engine piston machines, 563 powered by single-engine turbines and 247 multi-engine helicopters.

Queensland hosted 36 per cent of the fleet followed by NSW (21 per cent), Western Australia (16 per cent), Victoria (13 per cent), Northern Territory (9 per cent), South Australia (2 per cent). The Australian Capital Territory had eight helicopters.

The association said sales of new machines had “declined substantially’’, although it expected medical transport and military training contracts to push deliv­eries of bigger helicopters next ­financial year, while pre-owned sales were steady.

Takeovers, mergers and the dramatic fall in the oil price had de­flated the offshore helicopter industry, while harder to track onshore exploration had fallen as the mineral and gas exploration boom had settled into the production phase.

Scenic operators, who had ­initially been confronted with a high dollar, were expected to see some benefits from the lower ­exchange rate.
AHIA secretary Rob Rich said the steady growth in the helicopter fleet over the past decade had averaged 7-8 per cent.

But the fleet’s rate of growth had stagnated in the past three quarters.

Mr Rich said many factors were responsible for the setback, including the end of the mineral boom and long-running droughts in Northern Australia combined with general global financial difficulties.

He also blamed the federal government’s financial problems and the low dollar.

“The collapse of the Australian dollar has made … aviation assets more expensive to buy and operate,’’ Mr Rich said in a letter to members. “The slight increase in aviation tourism activities has only provided token compensation.’’

The AHIA is also keen to work with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on sorting out problems with Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 61 on flight crew licensing.

AHIA president Peter Crook announced this week that the association was beefing up its regulatory reform team to monitor and work on the integration of Part 61 into other draft legislation.

The regulator has told the ­association it has 12 flight operations rule standards development projects under way and it is seeking comment on the new rules.

Mr Crook said the association had recently been involved in fruitful talks with senior CASA ­officials about the problems it saw with Part 61. “We’re here to help,’’ he said. “We want to make sure this industry works.’’

Aviation groups at the smaller end of town have expressed concern about the way Part 61 was introduced and more recently about new fees associated with the changes.

The Australian Aviation Associations forum called on CASA to “tighten its belt’’ rather than introduce the new Part 61 charges as part of a proposed cost recovery policy, even though CASA is not proposing to increase the overall amount it seeks from the industry.
The regulator promised to review all comments on the proposed fee changes and seriously consider all suggestions.

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

It seems the Miniscule's SOE of CASA story - RE: CASA April missive & miniscules SOE - has created some interest from a few of the aviation media outlets...

1st from Dougy's insight 23 April 2015:

23 Apr 2015

Doug Nancarrow

So now we have the Minister’s expectations of CASA (or more specifically the CASA board, which is still in a state of flux) out in clear air; and that’s good because it provides a measuring stick against which to assess performance.

The board is expected to continue to focus on aviation safety as the highest priority, operate as a world leading aviation safety regulator, backed by a workforce with the requisite skills and capabilities and provide an implementation plan of how CASA will implement the Government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review Report.

In addition, there is the expectation that CASA will “maintain high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency… and have a code of conduct and values consistent with those used by the Australian Public Service”.

And CASA is expected to “undertake effective and ongoing engagement with the aviation industry to create an effective collaborative relationship… based on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect”.

Finally, CASA must “consider the economic and cost impact on individuals, businesses and the community in the development and finalisation of new or amended regulatory changes”.

There’s nothing either surprising or particularly new in any of that, except that some of it hasn’t been so specifically defined before.
Now all that’s left is to make it work in a ‘win win’ sense.

DAS Mark Skidmore’s process of getting to know all of industry and CASA’s own people and structures has reached the point where he is indeed well-informed and able to make his own decisions about priorities and strategies. What he most needs now is a stable board -  and he’s not getting that just yet. There’s still some confusion about at least one additional board member and the role of chairman when the incumbent steps down in a couple of months. You wouldn’t think it would be that difficult. Could politics be playing an insidious role? 

 
Next from Hitchen:

Warren Truss has handed CASA a Statement of Expectations to cover the next two years. (Steve Hitchen)


Truss hands CASA Statement of Expectations
23 Apr 2015

Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss last week handed the CASA board a Statement of Expectations (SOE) covering the next two years.

The letter, dated 14 April, is a formal and public statement of what the Federal Government expects from CASA in terms of operations and performance.

"The SOE emphasises the need for CASA to perform its functions in a manner that supports Government policy including that aviation safety remains the highest priority," the accompanying explanatory statement says.

"CASA is also expected to comply with relevant legislation and to keep the Minister and the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development informed of CASA’s actions and initiatives.

"The SOE outlines the Government’s expectations in relation to the way CASA conducts its functions and the need for consultation with the community, industry and Government agencies."

Among the expectations is that CASA will be guided by the key aviation safety principles in the government's response to the Forsyth Report, will effectively engage and collaborate with the aviation industry and to consider the economic cost of regulation.

What the Goverment Expects
That the board will ensure CASA meets its obligations under various legislation.
That the highest priority is given to aviation safety.
That CASA operate as a world-leader in aviation safety regulation, backed by a skilled and capable workforce.
That CASA provides the department with a plan on how they intend to implements the accepted recommendations of the Forsyth Report
That CASA provides a workforce plan for maintaining and developing staff, including opportunities for staff exchanges with industry.
That CASA works closely with the ATSB on information sharing.
That CASA implements the goverment's policies on airspace.
That CASA works with the department on a long-term fundng strategy.
That CASA co-operates with the department, the ATSB, Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence to provide safety regulation advice.
That CASA continues to pursue mutual recognition arrangements with international regulators and assists with Australia's ICAO obligations.
That CASA operates to high standards of professionalism with a strong culture of accountability and transparency.
That CASA effectively engages and collaborates with the aviation industry based on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect.
That CASA considers cost of regulation on people and businesses within the aviation industry.

With the SOE now delivered, it is up to the CASA board and Director of Aviation Safety, Mark Skidmore, to deliver on the expectations.
In his April Briefing, Skidmore said the implementation plan for the Forsyth recommendations was in its final stages, and would be embedded in the CASA corporate plan for the next three years.

"By doing this CASA’s goals will be clearly and publicly stated and our performance in reaching these goals will be reported to the Government, the aviation community and the general community," he said.

"In other words, we are being open and honest with everyone in our commitment to deliver on the Government’s response to the review."
The full SOE is available on the ComLaw website.

 
Finally from Oz Aviation:

Minister Truss issues new statement of expectations for CASA


April 23, 2015 by

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has issued a fresh Statement of Expectations (SOE) for the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The new SOE will apply until June 30 2017 and calls on the CASA board to, among other things, “continue to focus on aviation safety as the highest priority” and operate as a world leading aviation safety regulator.

It also says CASA should “maintain high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency”.

And the SOE asks CASA to provide a plan for how it will implement the relevant recommendations in the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR) in an effective and timely manner.

CASA Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) Mark Skidmore said in his April Briefing Note the “finishing touches” were being made to its response to the ASRR.

“This plan sets out in detail how CASA will achieve the Government’s requirements and when actions are scheduled be completed, with some being ongoing,” Skidmore said.

“Key elements of the implementation plan will be fully embedded in CASA’s 2015-16 to 2018-19 corporate plan. By doing this CASA’s goals will be clearly and publicly stated and our performance in reaching these goals will be reported to the Government, the aviation community and the general community.

“In other words, we are being open and honest with everyone in our commitment to deliver on the Government’s response to the review.”
Skidmore said CASA had also started work on a longer-term strategic plan for the next 15 years, called Flight Plan 2030.

“My aim is to establish a common understanding with the aviation and wider community about how we will continue to deliver optimal aviation safety outcomes, while responding to a dynamic and growing aviation industry,” Skidmore said.

“CASA recognises positive engagement with the aviation community is necessary to develop and implement the best possible safety standards, deliver effective safety education and get the right operational outcomes.

Meanwhile, CASA said changes to the rules for the commercial operation of small remotely piloted aircraft were being finalised and expected to come in during the second half of 2015.

“These changes will remove the requirement for commercial operations of remotely piloted aircraft weighing less than two kilograms to have approvals from CASA as long as the flights are conducted according to standard operating conditions,” CASA said.

Skidmore added: “We are considering the long term integration of remotely piloted aircraft into aviation operations in all classes of airspace. However, there are significant technological advances, regulatory changes, training and skills, procedures, documentation and education that need to happen before integration into all classes of airspace can take place.

CASA sought comment on proposed rule changes for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in 2014.

 
And from MMSM Steve....oh that's right we have to wait till midnight for him...
MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

It seems the Miniscule's SOE of CASA story - RE: CASA April missive & miniscules SOE - has created some interest from a few of the aviation media outlets...

1st from Dougy's insight 23 April 2015:


Next from Hitchen:

Warren Truss has handed CASA a Statement of Expectations to cover the next two years. (Steve Hitchen)


Truss hands CASA Statement of Expectations
23 Apr 2015

 
Finally from Oz Aviation:

Minister Truss issues new statement of expectations for CASA


April 23, 2015 by

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has issued a fresh Statement of Expectations (SOE) for the board of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The new SOE will apply until June 30 2017 and calls on the CASA board to, among other things, “continue to focus on aviation safety as the highest priority” and operate as a world leading aviation safety regulator.

It also says CASA should “maintain high standards of professionalism, service, probity, reporting, accountability and transparency”.

And the SOE asks CASA to provide a plan for how it will implement the relevant recommendations in the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR) in an effective and timely manner.

CASA Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) Mark Skidmore said in his April Briefing Note the “finishing touches” were being made to its response to the ASRR.

“This plan sets out in detail how CASA will achieve the Government’s requirements and when actions are scheduled be completed, with some being ongoing,” Skidmore said.

“Key elements of the implementation plan will be fully embedded in CASA’s 2015-16 to 2018-19 corporate plan. By doing this CASA’s goals will be clearly and publicly stated and our performance in reaching these goals will be reported to the Government, the aviation community and the general community.

“In other words, we are being open and honest with everyone in our commitment to deliver on the Government’s response to the review.”
Skidmore said CASA had also started work on a longer-term strategic plan for the next 15 years, called Flight Plan 2030.

“My aim is to establish a common understanding with the aviation and wider community about how we will continue to deliver optimal aviation safety outcomes, while responding to a dynamic and growing aviation industry,” Skidmore said.

“CASA recognises positive engagement with the aviation community is necessary to develop and implement the best possible safety standards, deliver effective safety education and get the right operational outcomes.

Meanwhile, CASA said changes to the rules for the commercial operation of small remotely piloted aircraft were being finalised and expected to come in during the second half of 2015.

“These changes will remove the requirement for commercial operations of remotely piloted aircraft weighing less than two kilograms to have approvals from CASA as long as the flights are conducted according to standard operating conditions,” CASA said.

Skidmore added: “We are considering the long term integration of remotely piloted aircraft into aviation operations in all classes of airspace. However, there are significant technological advances, regulatory changes, training and skills, procedures, documentation and education that need to happen before integration into all classes of airspace can take place.

CASA sought comment on proposed rule changes for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in 2014.

 
And from MMSM Steve....oh that's right we have to wait till midnight for him...

Here he is and it was worth the wait as Creedy has gone to a bit of effort with this one... :

CASA must consider cost of regulation: Warren Truss  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• From: The Australian
  
• April 24, 2015 12:00AM
  

Aviation Editor
Sydney




Warren Truss has urged CASA to engage co-operatively with the aviation industry. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
 
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will be required to consider the economic and cost impact of regulation as well as implement the Forsyth review in a timely manner as part of a long-awaited statement of expectations sent by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.  

The letter requires the regulator to undertake “effective and ongoing engagement with the aviation industry’’.

It said this should create an effective collaborative relationship between CASA and the industry “based on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect’’.

CASA should also be guided by the key aviation safety principles set out in government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review chaired by industry veteran David Forysth and provide a plan on how it would do this in an “effective and timely manner’’.

It also calls on CASA to review the operations and functions of the Office of Airspace Regulation and to work with the ATSB in a way that was informed by “just culture’’ principles.

Mr Truss told The Australian the CASA letter and a similar statement of expectations sent to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau fulfilled a promise arising from the Forsyth Review.

“The key changes are obviously that they should implement the findings of the review and also my expectation is that they will seek to develop a co-operative relationship with all sectors of the industry,’’ he said.

The minister said CASA still had a key role of ensuring safety.

“It’s not a radical change from the previous arrangements but we want a culture in CASA of working with the industry to achieve good safety outcomes,’’ he said.

The statement was welcomed by industry groups representing the smaller end of the aviation sector, who have been at loggerheads over new regulations, particularly new Part 61 rules governing flight crew licensing.

Industry groups have claimed the rules are difficult to understand, badly constructed and potentially damaging to aviation operators.

CASA came under intense fire last year when the Forysth review called for sweeping reforms and criticised CASA for taking too hard a line and maintaining an adversarial approach to the industry, which had lost trust in the authority. The federal government agreed to 32 of the 37 recommendations, scotched one and said four others needed further review.

The report was ordered by Mr Truss in response to industry criticism of CASA and concerns about the adequacy of the Australian Transport Safety Board’s ­investigation into the 2009 Pel-Air ditching of an air ambulance off Norfolk Island.

It accused the regulator of adopting “an across-the-board hard-line philosophy, which in the panel’s view is not appropriate for an advanced aviation nation such as Australia’’.

The authority and the ATSB were also the subject of a highly critical 2013 Senate committee report into the authority’s role in an investigation of the Pel-Air crash.

Responding to the statement, CASA director of aviation safety Mark Skidmore said the authority was making finishing touches to a plan detailing how it would implement the government’s response to the Forsyth review.

Mr Skidmore said the plan would set out in detail how and when CASA would achieve the government’s requirements.

“Key elements of the implementation plan will be fully embedded in CASA’s 2015-16 to 2018-19 corporate plan,’’ he said.
“By doing this, CASA’s goals will be clearly and publicly stated and our performance in reaching these goals will be reported to the government, the aviation community and the general community.

“In other words, we are being open and honest with everyone in our commitment to deliver on the government’s response to the review.’’
Mr Skidmore revealed he was also working on a longer-term strategic plan called Flight Plan 2030, which would broadly set out the authority’s objectives in the next 15 years.

“My aim is to establish a common understanding with the aviation and wider community about how we will continue to deliver optimal aviation safety outcomes, while responding to a dynamic and growing aviation industry,’’ he said.
“A key element of these plans will be the way in which CASA engages with the aviation community.’’

Mr Skidmore said he was committed to “an appropriate safety partnership where we all play our roles in getting the best from the aviation safety system’’.

“Part of this is being open to criticism and I can assure everyone that where CASA is deservedly criticised we will listen carefully and respond in the right way,’’ he said.

“I can give an assurance that the causes of problems will be investigated and actions taken to make sure mistakes are rectified and not repeated.’’

Regional Aviation Association of Australia chief executive Paul Tyrrell welcomed the fact the letter was in the public arena and said it meant CASA and the other agencies had been issued their riding instructions by the minister.

He said the association supported strongly the government’s call for CASA to look at the ­economic and cost impact on businesses.

“That’s a really important one to us, that before they make regulatory changes they do look at the cost as per the minister’s orders,’’ Mr Tyrrell said.

Mr Tyrrell also welcomed Mr Truss’s instruction to effectively engage with the industry and work collaboratively.

“One thing that’s missing that we were a bit disappointed about is the harmonisation of our regs with international regs,’’ he said.
“That’s been in the other statements and we see that as a gap with this one. We would politely ask the minister to maybe have an addendum to this statement regarding international harmonisation of regs.’’

Mr Tyrrell said he hoped the statement would lead to a cultural shift at CASA, particularly given Mr Skidmore’s appointment and changes on the board.

“It’s quite clear that the board has the job of developing and implementing the policy along with the DAS,’’ he said. “There’s never been a better chance to achieve the change that the industry’s been calling for seven or eight years now. We’ll never get such a good chance again and if we miss this one then God help the industry.’’

Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia chief executive Phil Hurst said the statement had been warmly received and was detailed enough to provide a sensible and practical way forward.

“But clearly the minister’s letter now puts the full glare of the spotlight on to the performance of the CASA board and the CASA senior management,’’ he said.

“So for us, the days of waiting for action are over and we look forward to working with CASA to remedy many of the problems we’ve identified.’’

Mr Hurst said the Part 61 rules — which remained “an ongoing weeping sore’’ — were at the top of industry’s agenda for action by CASA.
The association has also called for the CASA’s cost recovery discussion paper to be withdrawn pending the establishment of a joint task force with industry to identify ways of improving efficiency.

Now that's more like it, well done SC...

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

CASA must consider cost of regulation: Warren Truss  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• From: The Australian
  
• April 24, 2015 12:00AM
  

Aviation Editor
Sydney




Warren Truss has urged CASA to engage co-operatively with the aviation industry. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
 
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will be required to consider the economic and cost impact of regulation as well as implement the Forsyth review in a timely manner as part of a long-awaited statement of expectations sent by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss.  

The letter requires the regulator to undertake “effective and ongoing engagement with the aviation industry’’.

It said this should create an effective collaborative relationship between CASA and the industry “based on a foundation of mutual understanding and respect’’.

CASA should also be guided by the key aviation safety principles set out in government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review chaired by industry veteran David Forysth and provide a plan on how it would do this in an “effective and timely manner’’.

It also calls on CASA to review the operations and functions of the Office of Airspace Regulation and to work with the ATSB in a way that was informed by “just culture’’ principles.

Mr Truss told The Australian the CASA letter and a similar statement of expectations sent to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau fulfilled a promise arising from the Forsyth Review.

“The key changes are obviously that they should implement the findings of the review and also my expectation is that they will seek to develop a co-operative relationship with all sectors of the industry,’’ he said.

The minister said CASA still had a key role of ensuring safety.

“It’s not a radical change from the previous arrangements but we want a culture in CASA of working with the industry to achieve good safety outcomes,’’ he said.

The statement was welcomed by industry groups representing the smaller end of the aviation sector, who have been at loggerheads over new regulations, particularly new Part 61 rules governing flight crew licensing.

Industry groups have claimed the rules are difficult to understand, badly constructed and potentially damaging to aviation operators.

CASA came under intense fire last year when the Forysth review called for sweeping reforms and criticised CASA for taking too hard a line and maintaining an adversarial approach to the industry, which had lost trust in the authority. The federal government agreed to 32 of the 37 recommendations, scotched one and said four others needed further review.

The report was ordered by Mr Truss in response to industry criticism of CASA and concerns about the adequacy of the Australian Transport Safety Board’s ­investigation into the 2009 Pel-Air ditching of an air ambulance off Norfolk Island.

It accused the regulator of adopting “an across-the-board hard-line philosophy, which in the panel’s view is not appropriate for an advanced aviation nation such as Australia’’.

The authority and the ATSB were also the subject of a highly critical 2013 Senate committee report into the authority’s role in an investigation of the Pel-Air crash.

Responding to the statement, CASA director of aviation safety Mark Skidmore said the authority was making finishing touches to a plan detailing how it would implement the government’s response to the Forsyth review.

Mr Skidmore said the plan would set out in detail how and when CASA would achieve the government’s requirements.

“Key elements of the implementation plan will be fully embedded in CASA’s 2015-16 to 2018-19 corporate plan,’’ he said.

“By doing this, CASA’s goals will be clearly and publicly stated and our performance in reaching these goals will be reported to the government, the aviation community and the general community.

“In other words, we are being open and honest with everyone in our commitment to deliver on the government’s response to the review.’’  Mr Skidmore revealed he was also working on a longer-term strategic plan called Flight Plan 2030, which would broadly set out the authority’s objectives in the next 15 years.

“My aim is to establish a common understanding with the aviation and wider community about how we will continue to deliver optimal aviation safety outcomes, while responding to a dynamic and growing aviation industry,’’ he said.  “A key element of these plans will be the way in which CASA engages with the aviation community.’’

Mr Skidmore said he was committed to “an appropriate safety partnership where we all play our roles in getting the best from the aviation safety system’’.

“Part of this is being open to criticism and I can assure everyone that where CASA is deservedly criticised we will listen carefully and respond in the right way,’’ he said.

“I can give an assurance that the causes of problems will be investigated and actions taken to make sure mistakes are rectified and not repeated.’’

Regional Aviation Association of Australia chief executive Paul Tyrrell welcomed the fact the letter was in the public arena and said it meant CASA and the other agencies had been issued their riding instructions by the minister.

He said the association supported strongly the government’s call for CASA to look at the ­economic and cost impact on businesses.

“That’s a really important one to us, that before they make regulatory changes they do look at the cost as per the minister’s orders,’’ Mr Tyrrell said.

Mr Tyrrell also welcomed Mr Truss’s instruction to effectively engage with the industry and work collaboratively.

“One thing that’s missing that we were a bit disappointed about is the harmonisation of our regs with international regs,’’ he said.

“That’s been in the other statements and we see that as a gap with this one. We would politely ask the minister to maybe have an addendum to this statement regarding international harmonisation of regs.’’

Mr Tyrrell said he hoped the statement would lead to a cultural shift at CASA, particularly given Mr Skidmore’s appointment and changes on the board.

“It’s quite clear that the board has the job of developing and implementing the policy along with the DAS,’’ he said. “There’s never been a better chance to achieve the change that the industry’s been calling for seven or eight years now. We’ll never get such a good chance again and if we miss this one then God help the industry.’’

Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia chief executive Phil Hurst said the statement had been warmly received and was detailed enough to provide a sensible and practical way forward.

“But clearly the minister’s letter now puts the full glare of the spotlight on to the performance of the CASA board and the CASA senior management,’’ he said.

“So for us, the days of waiting for action are over and we look forward to working with CASA to remedy many of the problems we’ve identified.’’

Mr Hurst said the Part 61 rules — which remained “an ongoing weeping sore’’ — were at the top of industry’s agenda for action by CASA.  The association has also called for the CASA’s cost recovery discussion paper to be withdrawn pending the establishment of a joint task force with industry to identify ways of improving efficiency.

Now that's more like it, well done SC...

MTF...P2

Before setting off on some R&R befitting of an Octogenarian, PP managed to scratch out a blog piece that allows readers to compare the miniscule Truss SOE & John Anderson's charter of expectations, to the then CEO of CASA Mr Bruce Byron - the point being that we all know what happened to Byron's proposed MAP in response to the Anderson missive...   I.E. - The Iron Ring promptly shit-canned the MAP & subsequently white-anted Byron until he had no choice but to pull the pin -  Not-so-great expectations?

...Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss has provided an interim Statement of Expectations to the not-quite-finalised CASA Board, effective until June 30, 2017. A ring-around industry sources found everybody frankly pretty cheerless about the apparent lack of any urgency on some of the more devastating issues emerging from the ever-unfolding CASRs, and one provided an interesting document for comparison, which we invite readers to compare with Mr Truss’s more recent contribution.

The letter is (then) Minister John Anderson’s “Charter letter“ to (then) incoming CASA CEO Bruce Byron, and for the benefit of newcomers to the scene, that was way back when CASA didn’t have a Board anyway, and Ministers and CEOs had regular meetings – which often got things moving.

First, here’s Mr Truss’s SOE, which our process-watchers believe has all the symptoms of an origin somewhere close to the top of the Infrastructure tree... 

Okay fair enough, most of the IOS are cynically aware that there remains are very real risk of history repeating. However last time round most of us were blissfully unaware of the Iron Ring & the extreme power they have and so naively believed the Byron MAP would just happen. Well this time round we (& the Senators) are much more informed and will therefore be monitoring the Skates performance at every tick of the clock...

 Here is an example - let's take this line from the Oz article...

"... Mr Hurst said the Part 61 rules — which remained “an ongoing weeping sore’’ — were at the top of industry’s agenda for action by CASA..."

So the next question is will Skates (CASA) respond to this industry concern?? Or will Terry & Co (The Iron Ring) do like they did in the past and argue the toss, stating that industry does not know what it is talking about...

Well from Oz Flying today the answer to those two questions would appear to be YES & NO.. :

Australia's flying training and licensing systems have been shaken up with the introduction of CASR Part 61. (Steve Hitchen)

CASA to send Part 61 Letter to Pilots
28 Apr 2015

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will send a letter to all pilots later this week outlining the issues with CASR Part 61.

CASA introduced Part 61 - which deals with licensing - in September 2014, but the suite has since attracted significant criticism from many corners of the aviation industry.

The letter to pilots is expected to outline what actions CASA has taken to address issues and inviting pilots to put forward additional issues relating to Part 61.

The letter should start to appear in letterboxes early next week.

    
I hear you say...

"..FFS Skates you've got it all in the ASRR submissions so what more do you need??..."

..and this will be obfuscated, delayed etc. from now till Xmas err..2020 at which point industry will be "dead buried & cremated"...   

However there is an IF here, & that is IF we let them???

MTF...you betcha! P2

Ps off the blog...

 Breathless with anticipation the crowd awaits Terry’s departure.



 To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. - See more at: http://auntypru.com/#sthash.yssIMT5c.dpuf

[Peetwo]

 Breathless with anticipation the crowd awaits Terry’s departure.



 To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. - See more at: http://auntypru.com/#sthash.yssIMT5c.dpuf

Latest from Dougy & Hitchen:

DN 1st on AHIA meeting with Skates; RA-AUS & latest on RPA CASA rule changes.. : Editor's Insights 30 April 2015

You may be aware that AHIA President Peter Crook recently asked CASA’s Mark Skidmore for a face-to-face meeting in order to establish a more formal process for the review of CASR Part 61 – Flight Crew Licensing, in order to understand its effects on future draft legislation aimed at helicopter operators. Peter’s request followed several months of informal meetings and telecoms between the AHIA, industry and the regulator. Some involved CASA's DAS and the Deputy Prime Minister. 

Well Peter and his team have been invited by Mark Skidmore to a meeting on 6 May at CASA’s Sydney Office. 

This is exactly what we need to see more of in the industry generally. Less email chatter and more face-to-face talk. Congratulations to all for making it happen.
 
OK, I have now spent time with RA-AUS chief Michael Linke and am happy to confirm that he is indeed running a very professional operation in Canberra.And I’m persuaded that this is the likely future of ‘private’ aviation in this country, because it’s no longer a world of basic ultralights but one that encompasses some pretty sophisticated aircraft. It’s regulated, but with a lighter hand than the VH category, so overall costs are lower and hence it’s a less formidable access route to some enjoyable aviating. Michael was able to dispel any qualms I had about standards in the RA-AUS world. Undoubtedly it will always have its ‘cowboys’ but I’ve seen them in the VH sector too. CASA appears to be comfortable with the job Michael Linke and his team are doing in this space - and I can see why. Well done RA-AUS.
 
Important changes to the rules covering the commercial operation of small remotely piloted aircraft are being finalised. These changes will remove the requirement for commercial operations of remotely piloted aircraft weighing less than two kilograms to have approvals from CASA as long as the flights are conducted according to standard operating conditions. These conditions will allow flights in non-populous areas more than 30 metres from people, below 400 feet and only during the day time, with the remotely piloted aircraft in line of sight. In a recent speech CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore said changes to the regulations are expected to be made in the second half of 2015. Good progress in this challenging sector, but I can’t help feeling we’re dealing with the tip of the iceberg and that genuine control of the surging UAV phenomenon will only occur when access to the vehicles themselves is restricted - which it certainly isn’t right now.

Next Hitchen on ASA class D review & pending report; & follow-up on CASA proposed review of Part 61.. : The Last Minute Hitch: 1 May 2015

Five years ago the general aviation industry was predicting dire consequences of changing the old GAAP airports to Class D. There was even debate over what colour of Class D we should use: ICAO or FAA. The greatest mystery at the time was whether or not there was a need for change at all! We were told the change was to bring about an increase in safety, and there's not a lot of doubt that the whole thing was catalysed by one fatal accident at Moorabbin. At the time, some commented that the change would not prevent similar incidents happening again. Now, Airservices has reviewed the move and is compiling a report as you read this. They say research indicates an increase in safety has occured. It will be interesting to see how, given that, indeed, there has been very little operational difference in the two classifications. Airservices has made no promises about releasing the report to the public, but let's hope they do...

...The new CASR Part 61 licensing regulations continue to cause confusion and angst in the aviation community. There's no doubt the whole transition could have been handled a lot better. New CASA DAS Mark Skidmore is sending letters out to all pilots outlining what the issues are and what action they've taken. The letter is bound to please some and continue to antagonise others; that's the nature of the people in our industry.
Personally, I think it's good to see that something is being done rather than the traditional response of CASA dodging the questions, and in some cases going so far as to blame the aviation community for problems. Your letters should start arriving early next week. We're keen to hear what you think of the contents.

MTF...P2

[Kharon]

Well Peter and his team have been invited by Mark Skidmore to a meeting on 6 May at CASA’s Sydney Office.

Oh, brave Sir Skate-a-lot; little does he know what perils await.

[Peetwo]

From the Oz today Steve Creedy is again catching up, this time on the bollocks that is Part 61 and that letter from Skidmore:

Mark Skidmore: CASA to fix bungled flight crew rules  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• May 08, 2015 12:00AM
  

CASA boss Mark Skidmore says the regulator is working to rectify its controversial flight crew licensing rules. Source: Supplied



Civil Aviation Safety Authority boss Mark Skidmore has conceded that the regulator botched last year’s introduction of controversial flight crew licensing rules, but says it is working to rectify the situation.  

Mr Skidmore said he believed industry angst about the Part 61 regulations resulted from a combination of poor communication and the rules themselves.

“I’m quite prepared to say that we haven’t implemented this as well as we should have but there’s work that we have to do there … to correct that,’’ he said.

The regulator has so far issued 10,600 new Part 61 licences, seen as a high take-up despite a tran­sition period running until September 2018.

But there remains industry anxiety about the rules, associated material such as the Manual of Standards and the way the transition had been handled by CASA.

Mr Skidmore took the unusual step last month of writing to all ­pilots about Part 61 seeking feedback on the rules.

The letter said CASA had made adjustments to the way some aspects of the new rules were being implemented, as well as to the regulatory requirements, after a forum involving representatives of the aviation community in December.

It said many of the issues related to transition arrangements for the new rules and changes made by way of instruments and exemptions would ultimately be incorporated into revised rules.

“While consultation takes place as rules are being developed, inevitably there are issues or unintended consequences that need to be addressed,’’ the letter said.

“We need feedback from individuals about what is working well and what is not.’’

Initial feedback looked at ­issues ranging from ratings and endorsements, the licence format, the need for air transport pilots ­licence flight tests and confusion about the transition for private pilot’s licence.

Officials said the dozen emails received by Tuesday were constructive and dealing with the ­issues. In a phone hook-up with reporters this week, Mr Skidmore said how long it took to address the Part 61 issues would depend on the feedback he received from the letter.

He said this included making sure CASA staff were educated about the changes so that they clearly understood what the authority was attempting to achieve with Part 61.

Asked about criticism of CASA’s failure to respond to industry warnings before the changes were implemented, he noted this had occurred before he was appointed. “I can’t correct the past,’’ he said. “All I can do is try and correct the future and learn from it and hopefully make sure we don’t do it again.

“But at the same time what I’m trying to do now is … get the information — here’s my letter to ­people to say tell us what you think is not right and let us have a look at it and try to correct it.’’

On lessons learned from the experience, he believed the authority should be comparing the implementation of Part 61 with other changes and looking at whether more upfront work was needed in areas such as staff training or whether there should have been testing in pilot programs.

He had also been driving consistency in the authority’s approach to the aviation community to minimise confusion and ensure staff were providing “good relevant and consistent information’’.

But he agreed it was sometimes difficult for the industry to accept change.

“Change is difficult for people, there’s no doubt about it,’’ he said. “But to me change is inevitable at the same time; if you don’t change you’re not evolving so you’re not going forward. We need to look at ways we can improve and do things better and I’m looking internally at CASA at how we can improve and do things better.’’

Mr Skidmore also revealed he was looking at reinvigorating the Standards Consultative Council as one way of improving the regulatory process.

“I also want to engage with the industry, with the aviation community, to understand and have good discussion regards regs into the future — what do we need to establish how best we can achieve that,’’ he said

On the lack of trust between the aviation community and CASA, Mr Skidmore said it would take time to rebuild trust, but he was hoping the parties could work together to achieve that.

“It’s cultural change both on my side for CASA and externally for the community to understand or to trust us,’’ he said. “Cultural change takes five to seven years.’’

He vowed to try “as hard as I bloody well can’’ to achieve the change in his first term, and noted it was often the case that signs started appearing in a year or two.

“That’s nice when you can see that starting to happen, so I’ll be looking for that and I know you guys will judge me on it,’’ he said.

FFS....with respect Mr Skidmore while you're dithering & fluffing about, the industry continues to face an uncertain future...  If it is trust that you want the best thing you could do is read the following, courtesy of the Ferryman:

kharon
61 ways to flog a dead horse.

Unless there is a very real wake up call to the bored issued this week 'we' are going to be stuck, forever with the bastard, retarded mutant of Part 61.  Not only is the rule set hopelessly esoteric, academically flawed, operationally complex, unnecessarily convoluted, totally impractical, it is legally unsound – from industry point of view.  There simply is no protection; each and every paragraph may be turned into a large stick, used to beat the hapless victim insensible.

The rest of the world get by with less than 100 pages of clear, sensible, sane requirements; that list is long.  These countries do not make a 'safety issue' of what is, essentially an administrative matter.  Administrative in as much as there is system, which must be complied with – such NZ has, for an example.  What is not in the NZ/FAA rule is some pseudo academic (writ by the village idiot on an ego trip) definition of 'standards' defining not only how to put your pen back in your shirt pocket, but the penalty for not doing it according to prescription; or how to place your feet on the rudder; or how to best do asymmetric circuits, at night.  My own favourite – a note excusing you from doing an engine out overshoot in a single engine aircraft: don't laugh, not until you have read through this 600 page monstrosity.

Perhaps a nicely polite letter to the bored and the DAS informing them that the rule set is unacceptable, unworkable; and, industry refuses to tolerate the impost, the legal risks, the incredible amounts of paper required or the implications contained with 600 pages of wishful thinking.  The short version, if you prefer – stick where the sun don't shine.

Toot toot.

Well, everyone's buggering about, playing nice and remembering the pogroms of McComic era. Sod that – tell 'em - it's a ducking crock; loud long and often.  Steam by pass valve – opening.   FFS – JUST BIN THE BLOODY THING.  You know you want to.....

 
IMO if Skates were to implement the part in bold ASAP this would instantly garner much respect from industry and would lay strong foundations for a return to some form of trust with the regulator. However while he continues with the rhetoric - that can be construed as weasel words by some of the more pessimistic IOS - then Skates will be seen as being just another puppet of the Iron Ring and will shortly be on the slippery slide of irrelevance & ridicule.

MTF...P2  

Ps Skates for further constructive feedback it would not hurt if you took the time to read the Creampuff post off the UP & restored here by "K" - Shamelessly lifted from the UP boards.

        

[Peetwo]

From the Oz today Steve Creedy is again catching up, this time on the bollocks that is Part 61 and that letter from Skidmore:

Mark Skidmore: CASA to fix bungled flight crew rules  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• May 08, 2015 12:00AM
  

CASA boss Mark Skidmore says the regulator is working to rectify its controversial flight crew licensing rules. Source: Supplied



Civil Aviation Safety Authority boss Mark Skidmore has conceded that the regulator botched last year’s introduction of controversial flight crew licensing rules, but says it is working to rectify the situation.  

Mr Skidmore said he believed industry angst about the Part 61 regulations resulted from a combination of poor communication and the rules themselves.

“I’m quite prepared to say that we haven’t implemented this as well as we should have but there’s work that we have to do there … to correct that,’’ he said.

The regulator has so far issued 10,600 new Part 61 licences, seen as a high take-up despite a tran­sition period running until September 2018.

But there remains industry anxiety about the rules, associated material such as the Manual of Standards and the way the transition had been handled by CASA.

Mr Skidmore took the unusual step last month of writing to all ­pilots about Part 61 seeking feedback on the rules.

The letter said CASA had made adjustments to the way some aspects of the new rules were being implemented, as well as to the regulatory requirements, after a forum involving representatives of the aviation community in December.

It said many of the issues related to transition arrangements for the new rules and changes made by way of instruments and exemptions would ultimately be incorporated into revised rules.

“While consultation takes place as rules are being developed, inevitably there are issues or unintended consequences that need to be addressed,’’ the letter said.

“We need feedback from individuals about what is working well and what is not.’’

Initial feedback looked at ­issues ranging from ratings and endorsements, the licence format, the need for air transport pilots ­licence flight tests and confusion about the transition for private pilot’s licence.

Officials said the dozen emails received by Tuesday were constructive and dealing with the ­issues. In a phone hook-up with reporters this week, Mr Skidmore said how long it took to address the Part 61 issues would depend on the feedback he received from the letter.

He said this included making sure CASA staff were educated about the changes so that they clearly understood what the authority was attempting to achieve with Part 61.

Asked about criticism of CASA’s failure to respond to industry warnings before the changes were implemented, he noted this had occurred before he was appointed. “I can’t correct the past,’’ he said. “All I can do is try and correct the future and learn from it and hopefully make sure we don’t do it again.

“But at the same time what I’m trying to do now is … get the information — here’s my letter to ­people to say tell us what you think is not right and let us have a look at it and try to correct it.’’

On lessons learned from the experience, he believed the authority should be comparing the implementation of Part 61 with other changes and looking at whether more upfront work was needed in areas such as staff training or whether there should have been testing in pilot programs.

He had also been driving consistency in the authority’s approach to the aviation community to minimise confusion and ensure staff were providing “good relevant and consistent information’’.

But he agreed it was sometimes difficult for the industry to accept change.

“Change is difficult for people, there’s no doubt about it,’’ he said. “But to me change is inevitable at the same time; if you don’t change you’re not evolving so you’re not going forward. We need to look at ways we can improve and do things better and I’m looking internally at CASA at how we can improve and do things better.’’

Mr Skidmore also revealed he was looking at reinvigorating the Standards Consultative Council as one way of improving the regulatory process.

“I also want to engage with the industry, with the aviation community, to understand and have good discussion regards regs into the future — what do we need to establish how best we can achieve that,’’ he said

On the lack of trust between the aviation community and CASA, Mr Skidmore said it would take time to rebuild trust, but he was hoping the parties could work together to achieve that.

“It’s cultural change both on my side for CASA and externally for the community to understand or to trust us,’’ he said. “Cultural change takes five to seven years.’’

He vowed to try “as hard as I bloody well can’’ to achieve the change in his first term, and noted it was often the case that signs started appearing in a year or two.

“That’s nice when you can see that starting to happen, so I’ll be looking for that and I know you guys will judge me on it,’’ he said.

Also from the Oz today there is yet another group banging on about the unworkable regs...

Aircraft parts builders threaten to depart Australia  

• by: STEVE CREEDY
  
• May 08, 2015 12:00AM
  
  

Australian aircraft and component manufacturers have delivered a gloomy prognosis for the local industry unless there are changes to the way they are regulated.  

A communique issued under the auspices of the The Australian Aviation Association Forum warned of serious challenges in an industry “alienated by a regulator that is inconsistent in matters of regulations, appears to have a culture of retribution and whose decisions are not subject to independent arbitration’’. The communique was issued after a recent meeting with Civil Aviation Safety Authority chief Mark Skidmore.

“Meeting with CASA’s director of aviation safety, the group presented pressing issues which impacted on all in the industry group including confidentiality issues, the lack of technical expertise within CASA impacting regularly on commercial output, and poor consultation and communication on issues (and) regulations that directly affect aviation manufacturing,” it said.

“Many within the aircraft manufacturing group have experienced frustrations, delays and an ever increasing bureaucratic regime that adds nothing in terms of improving productivity or safety outcomes.’’

The aircraft manufacturers’ representative to the TAAAF, Marguerite Morgan, said manufacturers were frustrated by the current system.

“A lot of them are saying if things don’t change, they have no other alternative but to close up shop here and to look to move overseas because it’s just becoming so impossible to work,” she said.

Ms Morgan, who was a founder of Gippsland Aeronautics, said a major issue was Australian regulations that were not portable overseas and were difficult to interpret. This meant manufacturers had to pay to get their goods recertified in each county.

She said manufacturers wanted transparent and portable regulations like those operated by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

CASA officials had no idea how difficult it was for aircraft manufacturers to be viable on a global scale without facing bureaucratic issue. “We face long delays in getting reports processed because they just don’t have industry experts within their organisation,’’ she said.

Mr Skidmore said the manufacturers group had given him a list of things to work through, which he was happy to do.

Tick...tick...tick...tick



MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

So Mr Skidmore, you've certainly inherited what one might call - a clusterf#ck! Now, there are obviously numerous issues you are dealing with such as credit card fraud, potted plants, summer snake risks in the front yard at The Circuit, not to mention your poor Inspectors suffering from 'horrific fatigue issues'. But you've proved that you can chip away at some of the dross. For example CVD - Poohshan walked the green mile, good start but not nearly enough mitigation. Why has his support network not been shown the door? Part 61 is an international disgrace, why have the architects and signatories of this pile of dung not ALL been shown the door?

Does CAsA have an ethos that includes the most senior people, such as yourself, being willing to accept poor and incompetent decision making? Are you going to continue to stand by incompetent, white anting, inefficient, unworthy individuals who continue to make decisions that are so embarrassingly disastrous that the decisions actually bring adverse reactions to peoples careers, futures, and even parts of the economy?? I mean I always thought that a military leader of your stature and background was a firm leader, one who commanded respect from his peers, one who displayed nouse and testicular fortitude? From where I sit I am viewing someone who is having his wings clipped, someone who is not willing to make difficult decisions and instead is kneeling down to his subordinates! Surely the military didn't teach you to reward bad behaviour, promote the incompetent, lethargic and lazy? Hardly a connected and solid leader sir. More like a pussy-whipped Navigator, not a man of steel.......

Tick tock Mark, your 6 months is up. Industry is boiling sir, the Senators are coming, ICAO is coming, the Styx houseboat is coming...TOOT TOOT

"Stalled skies for all"