Plan to improve colour vision deficiency policy for pilots

March 20, 2024March 20, 2024

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

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024

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

November 1, 2023November 1, 2023

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

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!

Which Part 66 licence do you need to hold to issue a CRS after base maintenance of large aircraft carried out by a Part 145 AMO? The correct answer will be published in the November edition.

Pilot Safety Hub

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023

Article supplied by CASA

Safety during school holidays

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023

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

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023

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:

media@casa.gov.au

Reference number:

MR4623

Safety Promotion Sponsorship Program now open

August 7, 2023August 15, 2023

Article supplied by CASA

We’re doing something a little different with our Safety Promotion sponsorship program.

From today, we’ve refreshed the program so sponsorship opportunities are now available throughout the year, rather than the previous twice yearly offering.

Applicants can now plan further in advance, and they’re not bound to a deadline.

Applications are then reviewed in November, February and May.

The program provides a great opportunity for us to support organisations, flying clubs or individuals who are raising awareness of aviation safety in line with our safety promotion activities and priorities.

We sponsor activities with a specific focus on improving safety outcomes such as conferences, workshops, seminars, and other educational initiatives.

In most cases, sponsorship takes the form of financial support but could also include goods or services, such as information materials, communication collateral, or we could provide CASA staff to speak at a conference or event.

Find out more about the updated sponsorship program.

CASA to work with aviation sector on 5G

June 22, 2023August 15, 2023

Article supplied by CASA. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will work with the aviation industry and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on the introduction of expanded 5G services in Australia.

CASA has worked closely with ACMA to ensure that the roll-out of wireless broadband services, including 5G, in the 3.7 – 4.0 GHz band (mid-band) can be done in a way that ensures the safety of aircraft and acknowledges the importance of Australian aviation.

This includes measures mitigating against potential interference by 5G to radio altimeters (radalts) used in aircraft to determine height above terrain. Information from radalts is displayed to pilots and used by other safety systems.

Radio altimeters operate in the 4.2 – 4.4 GHz range and mid-band 5G transmissions have been introduced without issue in several jurisdictions. However, the introduction of 5G transmissions in 3.7 – 3.98 GHz range in the United States raised concerns about possible interference with radio altimeters, particularly during low altitude operations during take-off and landing near airports.

After introducing measures to mitigate the possibility of interference, the US Federal Aviation Administration now requires operators to upgrade or replace radalts failing to meet a minimum performance level for aircraft landing procedures that are reliant on this equipment.

Australia will see a range of mitigations on deployments above 3.7 GHz until 31 March 2026. This is designed to protect against the risk of 5G interfering with radio altimeters and minimise disruptions to aviation operations.

The mitigations will restrict wireless broadband deployments in the 3.7-4.0 GHz band around runways and approaches identified by CASA at 21 airports nationally where landings using radio altimeters are permitted. There will also be limits on power and unwanted emissions.

We do not expect to impose operational limits on air operators during this interim period. However, operators will need to upgrade radalts that do not meet minimum performance levels before the interim period ends. We will liaise with industry about the applicable performance standards for radalts and available options for upgrading.

CASA is monitoring developments internationally as 5G is rolled out and we are confident the interim measures put in place by ACMA will ensure continued safe aviation operations.

Ongoing mitigations after 2026 will include a 200 MHz buffer between wireless broadband and radio altimeter frequencies as well as limits on power and unwanted emissions.

We encourage pilots to report any spurious radio altimeters incidents by using our defect reporting form or to the ATSB via their notification form.

CASA issued its latest airworthiness bulletin on the 5G issue on 4 March 2022 and a revised version is due out soon.

Further information is available on the ACMA 5G and aviation page.

Review of Southport airspace commences

June 22, 2023August 15, 2023

Article supplied by CASA. The review of Southport airspace commences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is reviewing the Gold Coast airspace in which two helicopters tragically collided in January.

CASA is seeking direct feedback from pilots and operators separate to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into the Sea World Helicopters accident on 2 January.

An initial review of the airspace has not indicated there are any safety issues relating to airspace arrangements, but this broader work will seek input from airspace users and operators.

‘While there’s no indication at this stage that airspace design played a part in this devastating accident, we want to make sure we’ve given all pilots and airspace users the opportunity to provide their views on airspace arrangements,’ CASA Branch Manager Air Navigation, Airspace and Aerodromes, Adrian Slootjes, said.

‘The first stage of this work involves collecting data to inform a formal airspace review.

‘We’ve had people on the ground last week observing operations and talking to operators. This will be used alongside information we receive through our broader consultation activities.

‘We want all pilots and operators that fly in this area to let us know about their experiences.

‘We were greatly saddened by this tragedy and our condolences go to the families of all those involved.’

Data will be collected to help CASA analyse aircraft operations, aircraft landing areas, helicopter landing sites and the surrounding airspace. This will be used to inform a formal airspace review.

The accident is subject to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation that is anticipated to be completed in the second half of 2024.

‘We will also be cooperating with the ATSB as it continues its investigation,’ Mr Slootjes said.

‘Should any new or additional information become available through that investigation we will take immediate action and consider it alongside our own work.’

CASA approved a new Head of Flying Operations for Sea World Helicopters and worked closely with the operator to review procedures and operations in April 2023.

The ATSB investigation means it is inappropriate for CASA officials to comment further.

Editor’s note: Pre-recorded news grabs suitable for use on television and radio are available on Google Drive. The grabs are given by Anthony Nugent, section manager Office of Airspace Regulation, Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Australia Signs MoU with Tonga Civil Aviation Division

December 22, 2022

Article supplied by CASA

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tonga Civil Aviation Division.

A hand holding a metalling pen, holding it over a stack of folded-over papers.

The MoU will see the 2 countries work more closely across technical, regulatory and safety matters.

CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence, said that the arrangement is one way in which Australia supports aviation safety in the Asia-Pacific.

Under the MoU, the Tonga Civil Aviation Division, Ministry Of Infrastructure may request, and CASA may provide, technical assistance or advice in relation to regulatory activities.

‘This MOU acknowledges Australia and Tonga’s roles as aviation safety regulators in the region and as participants in the Pacific Aviation Safety Office,’ Ms Spence said.

‘We are committed to promoting a positive and collaborative safety culture through our own aviation safety regulatory system as well as supporting the broader aviation community.’

‘I am pleased to have signed this agreement which acknowledges the importance of safety in the region and our support for the Pacific.’

The arrangement was announced by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, during a visit to Tonga last week.