Article supplied by CASA
Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence Are you up to date with the latest aviation safety developments? Do you want to refresh your knowledge or enhance your piloting skills?
We’re giving pilots a terrific way to invest in their ongoing development through a new national campaign backed by government agencies and aviation industry groups.
The campaign drives home the important message ‘your safety is in your hands’ and draws together a wealth of important pilot safety information on a new online hub.
Resources such as webinars, podcasts, videos and other safety-enhancing products are available in one easily accessible forum we believe will be an invaluable source for the piloting community.
In developing the campaign, we drew on research into pilot attitudes to safety information from CASA and other sources, as well as Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) occurrence data.
Our research showed that most pilots found that educational resources produced by CASA were helpful, but they were not always aware they existed or knew where to find them.
Safety topics are based on ATSB accident and incident data and we will focus on a new theme each quarter, starting last month with non-controlled aerodromes.
This is a significant and always relevant subject that emphasises the importance of radio calls, planning and situational awareness.
You can find useful tips from experts in informative videos demonstrating best practices in these and other key areas.
The campaign will run through to July next year and topics in future quarters will focus on forecasting and navigating weather, flight planning and using controlled aerodromes.
Our thanks go to Airservices Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology for contributing information and resources on operating at controlled aerodromes and forecasting and navigating weather.
Additional help came from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and industry bodies such as Recreational Aviation Australia and the Australian Helicopter Industry Association.
The associations will be helping to get the message out to members and we are particularly keen to see rotary wing pilots use these resources after a number of accidents this year.
We are providing resources to help the associations and local flying schools encourage involvement, particularly from recreational and private pilot licence holders.
This pilot group believes it is extremely important to keep up to date with developments in aviation safety and has positive views about aviation standards.
We want to reinforce the concept that safety is in their hands, as well as the importance of thinking ahead and maintaining their skills.
However, the importance of the campaign’s message cannot be underestimated for those who are more qualified.
While CASA provides the framework for maintaining Australia’s safety, it is also a matter of individual responsibility.
We can all get blasé about any function we perform over a lengthy period but in aviation nonchalance can be fatal.
Flight Safety Australia has published many sad stories where the worst has happened as well as numerous articles where veteran pilots urge colleagues to refresh and update their knowledge throughout their careers.
Pilots owe it to themselves to check out these resources and I hope as many as possible do so.
All the best,
Pip
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