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Carmody at RAAA convention -

 Via Oz Aviation:

Carmody promises a “a firm, fair and balanced” CASA
October 21, 2016 by Jordan Chong
Acting CASA director of aviation safety and chief executive Shane Carmody. (Seth Jaworski)

Rather than merely keeping the seat warm until a permanent replacement is named, Shane Carmody says he intends to exercise the full authority of his office to maintain the pace of reform at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

In his first public speech to industry since starting as acting director of aviation safety and chief executive earlier in October, Carmody said the “acting” in his job title had little bearing on how he would conduct affairs at CASA.

“Don’t be fooled by the acting title. I don’t act real well,” Carmody told delegates at the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) National Convention at the NSW Hunter Valley on Friday.

“My appointment was agreed by the board and it was agreed by Cabinet.
“As far as I’m concerned I’ve got full authority, which I will use, and I have got full accountability, which I will wear for the decisions that I make and the decisions that go with the position.

“Over the next few months I intend to meet with anyone who is interested in improving aviation safety and I would really welcome [that] opportunity.”

Carmody has replaced Mark Skidmore, who resigned less than two years into his five-year term as CASA director of aviation safety and chief executive, citing personal reasons.
During Skidmore’s tenure as chief he undertook an organisational overhaul of CASA’s structure, forming three main groups – a stakeholder engagement group, an aviation group and a sustainability group – as part of the aviation safety regulator’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR).

The retired RAAF air vice-marshal has also sought to respond to the views of industry, including issuing a new timetable for regulatory changes, including those covering general operating rules, air transport operations, aerial work, continuing airworthiness and maintenance for small aircraft, small aircraft maintenance licensing, sport and recreational operations and unmanned aircraft.

A new timeline on the implementation of the new regulations was also announced.
Nonetheless, there remained frustration within the aviation industry at the slow pace of change at CASA.

Carmody said CASA was still working its way through the recommendations from the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR), which he described as a priority.

“My focus is on delivering a firm, fair and balanced aviation safety regulation system, promoting a positive and collaborative approach,” Carmody said.

“Many would argue that CASA doesn’t always get this right and I agree absolutely. But the industry doesn’t always get it right either and a lot of you would agree with that.”
“So somewhere in between is the reality.”

Carmody said a decision on a permanent replacement to Mark Skidmore was “not expected until well into the new year”.

“Noting that the last appointment took about six months, so this one could take a while,” Carmody said.

The new CASA head also used his speech to address the contentious issues of new regulations covering the commercial use of drones and pilot fatigue.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester has recently announced a review of new rules covering the operation of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs).
The new rules have drawn criticism from pilot groups and independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who aims to strike down the regulations in federal parliament.

Carmody said initial figures showed 1,350 operators had notified CASA they were commercially operating RPAs of less than two kilograms since the new rules came into effect on September 29.

Separately, Carmody said CASA would conduct an independent and comprehensive review on fatigue limits. CASA has extended the deadline for implementing Civil Aviation Order 48.1 covering fatigue risk management by a further 12 months.

Next Hitch in his weekly wrap also touches on Carmody -   

Acting CASA DAS Shane Carmody touched-off a bit of gunpowder in the senate this week when he told NXT's Nick Xenophon that he didn't think the cost of ADS-B technology would decrease after the US mandate deadline in 2020. That volume efficiencies would reduce costs has been the bulwark reason why sections of the Australian aviation community

“The noise coming out of the US is that ADS-B unit prices have hit the bottom of the curve now”

have been lobbying ferociously to have the Australian deadline pushed out past the US one. Although we'd probably rather chew on a bucket of nails that be forced to admit it, Mr Carmody could be right. The noise coming out of the US is that ADS-B unit prices have hit the bottom of the curve now, and are likely to plateau from here on. If they're right, then moving the mandate deadline won't deliver cheaper ADS-B to Australian aircraft owners. AOPA Australia in particular has a different opinion, steadfastly maintaining a case for a deadline after the US one, based on the fear that installation prices will go up if the Australian deadline remains in place. Who's right? We'll tell you in 2022.

AOPA has also started a campaign to tackle First State Super over the existing conditions at Bankstown. First State and Altis Property Partners bought the lease for both Bankstown and Camden in December, and clearly AOPA sees this as an opportunity to improve general aviation's position within the airport. Just about every attempt to talk aviation sense into the previous lease owners Mirvac and Colonial First State failed, and this is no small mountain AOPA is looking to climb. The case put forward hinges on AOPA collaborating with First State on better business practices, something First State and partner Altis Property Partners might feel they don't need any help with. It is, however, one point of approach, and far better than AOPA sitting down and watching the world crumble around them.

The burning sensation felt by too many Samsung Galaxy Notebook 7 owners as their device burst into flame has prompted CASA to ban people taking them on planes. Yes, that means us! General aviation is included in that ban, so you'll have to re-think if your plans included taking your phone with you.

The Bureau of Meteorology is changing the way low-level ARFORs (area forcasts), SIGMETs and AIRMETs are presented. From 10 November, you may start to see some things that look a bit unfamiliar on your usual WX forecasts. To prevent confusion, check out the explanations on the BOM website.

2016's Red Bull Air Race season came to a whimpering end in Las Vegas last weekend, as high winds put paid to any chance of big finish to the year. Matt Hall never got to the grid; the MXS-R suffering a failure in one wing that put the safety of the plane in question. Consequently, the Australian had to watch as his rivals struggled with 30+ knot winds that scuppered the race day program and ruined any chance Nigel Lamb had of entering retirement on a high note. The year saw Matthias Dolderer win his first championship, but also saw the tragic death of Hannes Arch in a helicopter crash. Hall scored two race wins, but was dogged by a bad back in some races, and was simply off the pace in others. Some race experts have already penciled in Hall for next year's title, but as 2016 showed, anything can happen.

May your gauges always be in the green,

Hitch

Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/the-l...fvfmVAJ.99

 
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