[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