Article supplied by CASA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 2024 Regulatory wrap-up
Focus on Flight Ops
Article supplied by CASA.
|
|
Preventing VFR into IMC
Article supplied by CASA. We’ve compiled some useful resources to help visual flight rules (VFR) pilots avoid instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Flying VFR into IMC is one of the top causes of aviation accidents around the world. Australia is no exception. The often fatal outcomes of these accidents are even more tragic because they are avoidable.
The key to prevention is thorough pre-flight planning and a personal minimums checklist. This minimises poor or incorrect decision-making caused by the stress of flying into marginal weather.
Common factors
Most inadvertent VFR flights into IMC have common factors:
- > rushed and incomplete pre-flight planning
- > misinterpreting/underestimating of threats associated with weather forecasts
- > overconfidence in adverse conditions
- > overestimating cloud heights and visibility
- > using phrases like “scud running”, “she’ll be right, I’ve done this in worse conditions” and “we’re close to our destination”.
- > pressure from passengers to go
- > pressure from yourself to go.
All the resources listed below are available on the website. You can also visit the weather and forecasting page of the Pilot safety hub.
Resources
Videos
- AvSafety investigation – Deteriorating weather
- 178 seconds to live video – updated (fixed wing)
- 56 seconds to live video (helicopters)
- Explaining the rules video – VMC criteria for fixed wing
- Explaining the rules video – VMC criteria for helicopters
Articles
- VFR into IMC
- I’m good, just ask me: the killer factor in weather crashes
- Caught in the clouds
- I’m good, just ask me: the killer factor in weather crashes
- Change of mind led to deadly flight
Audios
Online store
Maintenance Month takes flight
Get ready for the month of May to turn purple as we’re shining a light on all thing’s maintenance engineering, during our inaugural Maintenance Month.
We’re highlighting the pivotal role of aircraft maintenance engineers while also inspiring individuals to explore career opportunities as aircraft mechanics.
Throughout May, our communication channels will be drenched in purple as we host a series of engaging online webinars featuring our very own engineer experts.
Additionally, we are excited to announce an exclusive social media competition for aircraft maintenance engineers and apprentices, with an opportunity to win one of three $500 Snap-on Tools voucher.
Furthermore, Maintenance Month will serve as a showcase of the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available within the field of aircraft maintenance.
From highlighting the technical prowess required to ensuring aircraft safety to emphasising the meticulous attention to detail inherent in every aspect of maintenance work, this initiative aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the crucial work carried out by aircraft maintenance professionals.
Be sure to check out our communication and social media channels and spread the word the word to you friends, colleagues and stakeholders.
Snap-on Tools social media competition
Calling all aircraft apprentices and aircraft maintenance engineers — we’ve got a competition exclusively for you!
Is your toolbox looking a little bare?
This is your opportunity to give it a boost with top-notch equipment, with the chance to win 1 of 3 $500 Snap-on Tools vouchers!
How to enter
To enter:
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
- Subscribe to our aircraft maintenance engineer mailing list.
- Tag a fellow engineer who should also participate!
Entries close 4pm Friday 24 May.Terms and conditions
Winners will be randomly selected.
One entry per person.
You must have completed all 3 items under ‘How to enter’. You must also provide proof of your occupation as either one of the following:
- an aircraft apprentice
- an aircraft trade assistant
- unlicensed aircraft maintenance engineer.
Open to Australian residents only.
This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram.
We’ll notify the winners via email and how to claim their voucher.
Plan to improve colour vision deficiency policy for pilots
Article supplied by CASA Work is underway to settle and formalise colour vision testing options for pilots who are not able to pass clinical colour vision tests.
Our aim is to have new testing options available for pilots by the end of April that are formally prescribed through a legislative instrument. The tests will recognise that many pilots with a colour vision deficiency can demonstrate they are able to operate safely and competently without any medical or operational restrictions.
Consultation is currently underway through our Aviation Safety Advisory Panel, and public consultation on the proposed testing options is expected before the end of March.
The options will include an operational test designed to demonstrate a pilot’s ability to fly an aircraft safely through a robust and standardised operational test.
Interim measures
Pilots who are unable to pass the prescribed Ishihara or Farnsworth colour vision clinical tests and are seeking to renew their medical certificate are encouraged to call our Aviation Medicine team on 131 757 to discuss their individual circumstances.
We will work hard to ensure this interim period is as least disruptive as possible, whilst satisfying current safety and regulatory requirements.
Improvements to Ballina airspace to come into effect in 2025
Article supplied by CASA
Airspace around Ballina Airport will be controlled by air traffic controllers from 2025 as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia move to develop services to accommodate the airport’s growth.
The announcement follows an airspace review conducted in 2022 by CASA which included extensive feedback from industry and subsequent discussions with Airservices on timing for the establishment of controlled airspace and air traffic services.
CASA has issued a direction to establish controlled airspace from 2025 and will work closely with Airservices to support airspace design.
The first phase will see the airspace reclassified and an approach control service provided by Airservices by 12 June 2025.
The second phase will see the establishment of a new aerodrome control service by Airservices no later than 27 November 2025.
The establishment of enhanced air traffic services comes on the back of sustained growth in air traffic in the region and is part of a graduated approach to safely accommodate further growth.
‘When we review airspace it’s important that we look not only at what is happening today, but also to look at growth trends in recent years and what operators are predicting into the future,’ CASA Branch Manager Air Navigation, Airspace and Aerodromes Adrian Slootjes said.
‘We consider a range of data and information, look at incidents and occurrences and take a risk-based approach to our recommendations.
‘While there have been a range of incremental changes and enhancements in aviation safety in the region, we consider that these additional changes are required to ensure the safety of passenger transport operations and all airspace users in and around Ballina.’
Improvements already made around Ballina include changes to radio frequencies used by pilots to reduce congestion, provision of a Surveillance Flight Information Service (SFIS) to provide pilots with information about other aircraft in the area, and the introduction of an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast ground station to allow appropriately equipped aircraft to be more easily detected by air traffic control.
Work on an Airspace Change Proposal outlining details of the new service and aimed at ensuring it meets necessary requirements will continue throughout 2024.
The timing also allows CASA and Airservices to engage with aviation and community stakeholders, including the sports and recreational aviation community, about safely accessing controlled airspace.
Maintenance Matters
| Article supplied by CASA Welcome to the October edition of Maintenance matters – a newsletter to keep you up-to-date with the rules and safety topics for your sector. The consultation period on our proposed modular licensing structure is now closed. We look at what’s next. We have made things easier for maintenance organinsations to renew their certificates online. We provide you with an update on the progress made with the proposed maintenance rules for general aviation. | In this issue Industry feedback will help fine tune amendments to the MOS How to interpret your LAME licence – Category C Renew your Part 145 certificate faster online General aviation maintenance rules – we are making progress Safety Management Systems Link your ARN to your organisation |
| Industry feedback will help fine tune amendments to the MOS. Thank you for taking the time to submit feedback on our proposed modular licensing structure. It will help us make any final changes to the Part 66 Manual of Standards and the associated implementation arrangements. Read more |
| How to interpret your LAME licence – Category CY ou are now the holder of a Category C licence. This licence category can only be used for the issue of certificate of release of service (CRS) for large aircraft. As the holder of this Category C licence, you can issue a CRS following base maintenance on aircraft carried out by a Part 145 approved maintenance organisation. This privilege applies to the aircraft in its entirety. A Category C licence can be endorsed with specific aircraft type ratings. Read Part 2 (3.6) of AC 66-08 |
| Renew your Part 145 certificate faster online. Did you know you can renew your Part 145 maintenance organisation certificate, without any changes, using myCASA instead of downloading and completing a manual form? We have moved renewals for more certificates into myCASA to make it easier for you to interact with us online. If you are an accountable manager and your individual ARN is linked to your organisation’s ARN, you will now see a Certificates section containing any certificates you are authorised to manage when you login into myCASA. You can renew these certificates online when they are due in just a few clicks. If you need to make any changes to your Part 145 certificate, you’ll need to complete and submit the traditional form. Sign in to myCASA |
| General aviation maintenance rules – we are making progressAs part of our General Aviation Workplan, we committed to establish new Part 43 maintenance regulations specifically for general aviation. We’ve consulted extensively and have taken industry feedback, including feedback received through the Technical Working Group and Aviation Safety Advisory Panel on board. Read more |
 Safety Management SystemsSafety management is vital to keeping our skies safe. It involves managing your business activities and preventing accidents.Need to set one up or just reinforce that you are doing the right thing? We have the information you need on:what you should includehow to set it upwhat you need to educate your staff. Find out more | Link your ARN to your organisationHaving an organisational ARN means more than one person can interact with us on behalf of your company. Read more about organisational ARNs. To link your individual ARN to your organisational ARN, login to myCASA, click Organisation Aviation Reference Number and follow the prompts. You will need to enter a code that is emailed to the organisation. You must be an accountable manager to interact with us on behalf of an organisation. Read more about linking your ARN  |
| And the answer is!In the September edition we asked which Part 66 licence can certify an avionics system requiring only a simple test to prove its serviceability? While 66% of our readers told us the answer was a Category B1 licence holder, it was brought to our attention that our question may not have been clear enough for some. We acknowledge the question was a little ambiguous. Read more |
| Test your knowledge! |
Pilot Safety Hub
Article supplied by CASA
Welcome to the September edition of the Pilot safety hub newsletter focusing on non-controlled aerodromes.In this edition:watch a close call brought to life in our first animated crash comicsee how the right-of-way rules worklearn how to avoid loss of control accidentsdiscover the benefits of ADS-Bexplore new resources from around the worldfind out about a proposed new medical for private pilots.And don’t miss next month’s newsletter, when we turn our attention to weather and forecasting. Crash comic close call. Like your safety messages with a bit of colour and movement? Try our crash comic animation. Crash comics are a popular part of our Flight Safety Australia magazine – taking your stories of near disaster and revealing the safety lessons in a new way. Now, we’ve animated one of those comics. It’s a timely lesson on the importance of good radio call procedures. WATCH Explaining the right-of-way rulesAre you sure you know the right-of-way rules of the air?Get a fresh refresher with our animated explanation – straight out of the Visual Flight Rules Guide or VFRG.WATCH  Loss of control lessonsLoss of control is the most significant cause of serious accidents for sports and recreational pilots.Watch a 3-part video series from Recreational Aviation Australia exploring the primary causes, contributing factors and how to avoid these types of accidents.WATCH New resources from around the worldListen and watch the latest additons to the international section of the pilot safety hub:US video examining a fatal crash in high-density altitude conditionsNew Zealand podcast about poor radio callsCanadian video series on winter flying.EXPLORE |
| ADS-B benefitsWe’ve updated our information about automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) – to help you better understand the benefits and how it works. And don’t forget the government is providing a 50% rebate of the costs of purchase, and if needed, installation of eligible devices. FIND OUT MORE  New aviation medical certificateCASA Avmed is planning a Class 5 medical certificate for private operations. Eligible pilots will have the freedom to go flying without needing to be signed off by a doctor or go through the CASA Avmed process.For higher risk flying or people with more complicated diseases there will still be an extra layer of expert checks.We’ll soon be consulting on the proposed policy. Subscribe to our Consultation and rule making mailing list to have your say on how the Class 5 self-declaration will look. |
Safety during school holidays
Article supplied by CASA
CASA is urging travellers to follow the rules and show consideration to airline and airport staff as well as each other during the upcoming school holidays.
To ensure safety and respect when travelling by air during this term break and beyond, we’re supporting the ‘No More Carry On’ campaign.
It’s a call for patience and preparedness as travellers, airline crew and airport teams once again face a peak in airline travel.
‘We’re really pleased to be involved again in this important safety initiative,’ says CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety Pip Spence.
‘We understand and appreciate people are excited to be travelling again ¬– especially during these school holidays – and that’s evident by just how full flights currently are.
‘But passengers need to be mindful they may sometimes face long waiting queues, flight delays, and missing baggage. And while that can be frustrating, it’s no excuse for bad behaviour towards airport and airline staff or other passengers.
‘It’s also against the law to behave in an offensive or disorderly manner on board an aircraft, or to disregard the safety instructions of airline crew.
‘Harmful and unruly behaviour puts everyone’s safety at risk and can disrupt the important safety duties of airline crew, cause distractions during critical phases of flight and jeopardise the safety of other passengers.
‘As the aviation safety regulator, our role is to help ensure that when passengers and crew board a plane they get to their destination safely. We want everyone flying these school holidays travelling or working in a safe environment.
‘Under our aviation safety rules substantial penalties can be imposed for offensive or disorderly behaviour on board an aircraft and for failing to comply with any safety-related instructions. This can include fines of up to $15,650 (per offence) and in some cases up to 2 years’ imprisonment.
‘So please don’t take your frustrations out on staff or other passengers.
‘While on board we also encourage you to listen to the safety briefings and follow all airline crew directions and requests.
‘Once again, we strongly support this campaign and we really want you to enjoy these school holidays and travel safely, wherever your exiting destination may be.
More information is available on the A4ANZ website.
CASA supports next generation of aircraft engineers
Article supplied by CASA
Three aspiring licensed aircraft maintenance engineers are the latest to receive a scholarship from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Ella Watson from Western Australia and Queensland’s Spencer Holmes and Joshua Kilgour will all receive up to $5,000 each to help them achieve their Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 66 engineer licence.
CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety Pip Spence says that high quality aircraft maintenance engineers are critical for the future of a safe and vibrant aviation industry.
‘All 3 recipients have demonstrated an obvious commitment to aviation safety and it’s evident that they’re in this career for the long haul,’ Ms Spence says.
‘I’d like to congratulate Ella, Spencer and Joshua for all the work they have done within the industry so far and wish them all the best for their future careers in aircraft maintenance engineering.
‘We received almost 90 applications in this scholarship round and the standard once again exceeded the evaluation panel’s expectations.
‘It was also encouraging to see such a wide range of candidates, from those working for major commercial operations through to others employed in smaller organisations across regional Australia.
‘We know there’s a shortage of licensed aircraft engineers not just here, but across the globe, and this scholarship program is one way we can show support for the aviation industry now and into the future.
‘This is the third year we’ve run the program and we’ll be offering it again in 2024, so I hope all aspiring aircraft maintenance engineers consider submitting an application when that round opens.’
The scholarship program focuses on applicants who have already started their structured training towards a licence outcome, or aircraft maintenance engineers who have not gone through a structured training program but are currently working in the industry gaining experience.
It also assists those who have demonstrated an interest in aviation maintenance, made progress through their own initiative, demonstrated aptitude for the role, and made a positive contribution to the safety culture of their profession or organisation.
More information about the AME scholarship program is available on the aircraft maintenance engineer scholarship page of our website.
Media contact
CASA Media
Mobile:
1300 773 806
Email:
Reference number:
MR4623