CASA: From acting CEO and Director of Aviation Safety Graeme Crawford
Jul-2017 CASA has taken an important step in gaining access to additional safety information about foreign airlines. We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Air Transport Association - IATA - to access their safety audit reports. The IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. All IATA members are IOSA registered and must remain registered to maintain IATA membership. CASA will use the IOSA information to complement the existing oversight and surveillance of foreign airlines. It will also be used as part of the assessment process for new foreign carriers seeking authorisation to operate to Australia. In the future we expect to have access to IOSA information in relation to Australian carriers, which will be used to support our existing audit and surveillance work. CASA worked closely with IATA to understand their audit processes, quality assurance arrangements and management of approved auditors. Australia is the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region to use IOSA as part of the safety oversight of airlines. The use of the information will benefit airlines as it will make CASA's surveillance and audits even more efficient and effective. IATA senior vice president safety and flight operation, Gilberto Lopez-Meyer, has said sharing IOSA information with regulators reduces the burden and costs of safety oversight. Agreements to share IOSA information are already in place with the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European Aviation Safety Agency and China.
Learn from sport close calls
No pilot wants to have a close call in the air. But they do happen and while they can be frightening or even embarrassing at the time, they can also be a valuable part of aviation safety education. To help pilots involved in sport aviation learn from the close calls of their colleagues CASA has published a new booklet containing 17 real life stories. They have been grouped under decision making, distractions, and errors, slips and omissions. In the introduction to the booklet it is pointed out that between 75 and 80 per cent of aviation accidents result from some type of human error. Skill based errors are the most common, followed by decision making and violations. While not all errors lead to tragic outcomes, there were 11 fatal accidents in sports aviation in 2016. The message from the close call stories is that diligence, proper planning and sound airmanship can avert disastrous outcomes. The close call stories cover ballooning, gyroplanes, recreational aircraft, hang gliding, gliding, paragliding and parachuting.
Order a copy of sport aviation close calls.
Horizontal situation indicator belt failure
A warning has been issued about the premature failure of drive belts in a horizontal situation indicator. Belts are reported to have failed in the Century Flight Systems horizontal situation indicator model number NSD360. The criticality of these belts failing in service is considered major if the instrument is the primary source of directional information. Failure of this instrument is considered hazardous if there is an undetected accuracy error of more than 10°. The failures are not associated with a failure flag. The drive belts, with part number 30B437, are currently lasting between 3 to 12 months in service before failing. After approximately 60-100 hours the belts are starting to fray and weaken, resulting in failure soon after. The belt is comprised of a number of load carrying tensile cords and the construction of the belt has changed. CASA has been in correspondence with the US Federal Aviation Administration office which oversights Century Flight Systems and will provide more information as it is available.
Go to the horizontal situation indicator drive belt airworthiness bulletin.
Revamped training course for flight examiners
A revamped training course has been released for people who want to gain a flight examiner rating or flight examiner endorsement. The flight examiner rating course now provides better support for flight examiner applicants by combining eLearning, a classroom workshop, industry mentoring, an interview and a flight test conducted by CASA. The course is competency based and prepares flight examiner applicants to conduct flight tests and proficiency checks under Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 - the flight crew licensing suite. It provides training and assessment for the 11 flight examiner rating endorsements, covering both aeroplane and helicopter categories. The course recognises existing flight examiner qualifications. In conjunction with the new course the flight examiner handbook and all flight test and proficiency check forms have been updated. The revised handbook has been designed so that each flight test and proficiency check chapter stands alone and can be used as a practical guide. The chapters are presented according to a chronological template on how to plan, conduct and complete a flight test and proficiency check. The flight test and proficiency check forms have been redesigned into a plain English checklist style.
Get more on the new flight examiner rating course.
Training module for performance-based navigation
Satellite based navigation is now the corner stone of instrument flight rules aircraft operations across Australia. This means it is important for many pilots to have an understanding of the requirements and benefits of this technology, known as performance based navigation or PBN. All instrument flight rules aircraft operating in Australian airspace must be fitted with global navigation satellite system receivers for performance based navigation. To help pilots better understand performance based navigation CASA has released a new on-line eLearning tool which covers key elements of the technology and regulatory requirements. The tool has information on aircraft equipment, pilot licensing, operational requirements and continuing airworthiness. It also covers navigation specification requirements, deeming provisions and CASA approvals. There are links to the relevant regulations. The eLearning does not replace the formal training pilots must undertake to use performance based navigation but it provides an overview of the requirements of on-board navigation equipment and the navigation specifications that must be included in flight plans.
Go to the performance based navigation eLearning now.
Regulatory philosophy explained
There's an easy and quick way to get a solid understanding of CASA's regulatory philosophy. The key elements of the regulatory philosophy have been captured in a short video on CASA's YouTube channel. There are ten principles in the regulatory philosophy that underpin the way CASA will perform its functions, exercise its powers and engage with the aviation community. The updated regulatory philosophy was developed in response to a recommendation in the Aviation Safety Regulation Review. The regulatory philosophy covers issues such as trust and respect, risk-based action and decision making, consultation and collaboration, consistency and flexibility and regulatory costs. CASA's general manager Legal Affairs, Regulatory Policy and International Strategy presents the video on the regulatory philosophy. He says CASA must set an example to the aviation community by demonstrating what it means to be a responsible regulator. The video also looks at what is meant by just culture and how the regulatory philosophy dovetails with safety management.
Watch the regulatory philosophy video now.
Perth, Pilbara, Wellcamp airspace reviews
Three airspace reviews have been completed - at Perth, Pilbara and Brisbane West Wellcamp. The reviews found the airspace arrangements at the three locations were suitable and safe, although improvements could be made to enhance efficiency and awareness. The Perth review found there had been a reduction in airspace incidents over the last five years and most issues were not safety related but about airspace access and clearance delays. A need for more targeted education of pilots was identified following training incidents at Jandakot and failures to comply with air traffic control instructions. There should also be more consultation to determine the cause of airspace infringements and possible mitigation options. The Pilbara review looked at airspace 125 nautical miles around the Paraburdoo radar. While aircraft movements in the area have been decreasing after a period of rapid growth, traffic could increase if mining activity changes. Very high frequency radio coverage at lower levels remains an issue, with communication with the Melbourne air traffic services centre a concern. It was recommended that Airservices should investigate the introduction of a chart to cover the major mining aerodromes in the Pilbara region. The Brisbane West Wellcamp and Oakey airspace review found the airspace is fit for purpose and can accommodate forecast future growth. Ten recommendations were made, including a further detailed review to be conducted no later than 2020.
Read the airspace reviews:
- Brisbane West Wellcamp
- Perth
- Pilbara
Seminars on now for pilots
Twelve of the popular AvSafety seminars for pilots are being held in August 2017. They are at: Bendigo, Parkes, Katherine, Orange, Taree, Ballina, Gove, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Yarrawonga, Aldinga and Albury. The seminars will get pilots talking about key safety issues by looking at previous accidents and incidents where the outcomes were both good and bad. They will focus on pilot decision making and look at flying within your limits, making the right decisions in-flight and hazards on arrival. Case studies of accidents and incidents covering each phase of flight will be set out, with a mix of fixed wing and helicopter events to be examined. CASA's safety advisers will ensure the seminars are interactive and open, with pilots encouraged to talk about their own experiences and offer lessons learned. The seminars have been developed with the support of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Airservices Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Book your place at an AvSafety seminar for pilots now.
Engineers - seminars for you
Five engineering safety seminars are being held in August 2017. Seminars will be held at: Darwin, Launceston, Hobart, Moorabbin and Gove. These seminars are aimed at people in airworthiness roles such as engineers, the head of aircraft airworthiness and maintenance, continuing airworthiness management, air operators and training organisations. CASA aims to support the professional development of people in these safety critical roles by providing access to the latest best practice, information and resources. Importantly the seminars will also provide the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues with CASA. Topics to be covered will include the maintenance responsibilities of the registered operator, registration holder, responsible manager, aircraft owner and licensed aircraft maintenance engineer; defect reporting; tool control; and the maintenance licence examples.
Book your place at an engineering seminar.
Drone flyers fined for safety breaches
Three people flying recreational drones in breach of the safety regulations have been fined a total of $3240. Penalties were issued for operating a drone over an Easter egg hunt, a wedding and for flying in Sydney Harbour restricted airspace. The operator of the drone at Sydney Harbour was also fined for flying within 30 metres of people not involved in the operation. The fines are the latest in penalties imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for breaching the drone safety rules. A group of children at a Canberra Easter egg hunt were put at risk by a drone flown at a height from which if the drone malfunctioned it would not have been able to clear the area. The drone pilot was fined $900. A $900 fine was also issued for hazardous flying at and near guests at a wedding in regional NSW. All three drone pilots paid the penalties issued by CASA. CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, said fines will continue to be issued where people break the drone safety rules. "The rules protect people, property and aircraft from drones," Mr Carmody said. "If you fly a drone it is your responsibility to fly by the rules and stay safe at all times. "Every drone pilot should download CASA's drone safety app, which will help them fly safely."