CASA Briefing newsletter - May 2010

[Admin]

From the Director of Aviation Safety

 

John McCormick

 

[imgALIGN=left][ATTACH]10897.vB[/ATTACH][/imgALIGN]The response from the aviation community to the package of changes being made to operational procedures at a range of aerodromes has been fantastic. Over the course of this month many thousands of pilots have attended workshops to learn about the new class D and non-towered aerodrome procedures, as well as the re-classification of general aviation aerodrome procedures to class D. I want to thank everyone for their effort and for the support they have expressed for the changes. At the workshops I attended it was clear most pilots believed the new procedures are a positive move and do not impose any onerous requirements or create impediments to smooth operations. Naturally, some people had questions about the details and raised issues worthy of discussion. After the changes take effect from 3 June 2010 CASA will be out at class D and non-towered aerodromes observing operations to get a first hand view of the procedures in practice. Our observations, and feedback from pilots and air traffic controllers, will be examined by post implementation reviews of the changes. These reviews will identify any areas that may need fine-tuning to further improve procedures.

 

The increase in funding for CASA announced in this month’s Federal Budget is obviously very welcome news. CASA will be able to create a range of new positions as a result of the extra financial resources. Some of the new positions will be created in the division within CASA that develops new standards and regulations. This will allow us to complete existing regulatory projects in a timely fashion and to do more in areas such as the development of guidance material on standards and regulations. The funding will also allow CASA to expand its surveillance activities, which is a crucial component of safety oversight. In addition, we will invest further resources in staff education and training to ensure CASA has the best possible technically skilled and trained workforce.

 

Best regards

 

John F McCormick

 

 

New class D arrives on June 3

 

Pilots have only days to make sure they understand the new operational procedures that will apply to general aviation aerodrome procedures (GAAP) and class D aerodromes from 3 June 2010. From that date all current GAAP aerodromes become class D. This affects Bankstown, Camden, Moorabbin, Archerfield, Parafield and Jandakot. Pilots at these aerodromes and the 11 existing class D aerodromes will operate to new procedures, based on the International Civil Aviation Organization model and United States class D procedures. All pilots have been sent a package of material in the mail explaining the changes and workshops have been held at the locations of each of the GAAP and class D aerodromes.

 

To support the face-to-face teaching and printed material, CASA has now launched a new e-learning tutorial on the GAAP/class D changes. Pilots can access the e-learning through CASA’s web site by simply clicking on the front page 'e-learning - 3 June changes' link. The GAAP/class D module sets out the background to the changes, the new class D entry and exit procedures, new procedures for operating within class D, aircraft separation responsibilities and the available documentation.

 

Do the GAAP/class D e-learning tutorial now.

 

Big win for Australian parts manufacturers

 

Australia's general aviation parts manufacturing industry now has easier access to the lucrative United States market. This follows the signing in Washington this month of amendments to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Australia and the United States. The amendments mean Australian Parts Manufacturing Approvals for many general aviation aeroplanes are now recognised in the US. This simplifies the process for the export of these aviation parts to the US, as well as reducing costs. Australian general aviation parts manufacturers will no longer have to obtain an approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to sell their parts in the US.

 

The new agreement applies to replacement or modified parts for US and Australian certified aircraft. At this stage only the manufacturers of general aviation aeroplane parts can take advantage of the easy access to the US market. However, work is underway to extend the agreement to rotorcraft and air transport components. The Federal Aviation Administration carried out an extensive review of the Australian Parts Manufacturing Approvals process run by CASA before agreeing to amend the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement. This included looking at Australia’s aviation safety legislation, policies and procedures, as well as the oversight of parts design.

 

Read the new US agreement.

 

Get online to learn new procedures

 

There is a new and easy way for all pilots to make sure they are up-to-date with the changes being made to procedures at aerodromes without operational air traffic control services. From 3 June 2010 a range of changes are being made to aircraft circuit procedures, radio requirements and radio broadcasts. Every pilot needs to learn the new procedures, which are being introduced to improve safety through enhanced situational awareness. CASA has now released a non-towered aerodrome e-learning tutorial to help all pilots understand the changes. The tutorial supports the nearly 50 special workshops for pilots held at the locations of many non-towered aerodromes and the printed material mailed to all pilots.

 

By undertaking the tutorial pilots will learn all about the changes to Civil Aviation Regulations 166. The tutorial covers the legislative changes, radio communications, flight procedures, standard traffic procedures, non-standard approaches, hazards and see and avoid. Within the tutorial there are links to explanatory material, such as the new Civil Aviation Advisory Publications covering the new procedures and the responsibilities of pilots to avoid collisions. It sets out the new requirement for the mandatory carriage of a VHF radio in all aircraft that operate at registered, certified, military and other designated aerodromes. There are questions on each topic to test knowledge and contact information for further advice.

 

Update your non-towered aerodromes knowledge by doing the e-learning tutorial now.

 

Policy for mandatory simulators flagged

 

A proposed policy on the mandatory use of flight simulators for pilot training in high risk exercises has been flagged by CASA. The proposed policy would mean any non-normal exercises in a range of passenger-carrying aircraft could not be carried out in an actual aircraft, unless CASA gave a specific approval. A non-normal exercise would be a simulated system failure which affects the flying performance or handling characteristics of an aircraft beyond the parameters of normal operation – such as a simulated engine failure. CASA will soon propose rules detailing the requirements for mandatory simulator training. These draft rules will be based on a policy which proposes that simulator training will be required for aircraft certified to carry more than 20 passengers, or with a maximum take off weight of more than 8618 kg, where a simulator is available in Australia or any recognised foreign state. For multi-engine aircraft certified to carry between ten and 19 passengers, it is proposed non-normal exercises will be mandatory in a simulator where a device is available in Australia. Non-normal training exercises in an actual aircraft will only be allowed with CASA approval, based on certain conditions.

 

CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, has written to Australian air operators setting out details of the proposed approach to mandatory simulator training. Mr McCormick said the practice of simulating engine failures is fundamental to safety, but there is potential for significant increased risk where this is done without careful management in an aircraft. "After careful consideration, CASA will soon propose rules detailing the requirements for mandatory simulator training," Mr McCormick said. "These rules would require operators to conduct certain training and checking activities only in simulators and prevent high-risk exercises being conducted in actual aircraft." A notice of proposed rule making will be published within the next few months, providing the aviation industry with an opportunity to consider and respond to the proposed rules.

 

New instrument navigation is coming

 

A wide range of changes and improvements will be made to instrument flight rules operations over the next six years. The changes will be driven by the global harmonisation of instrument flight rules navigation specifications and the introduction of aircraft approaches with vertical guidance. The International Civil Aviation Organization has made this package of changes its highest priority, with benefits for safety, efficiency and the environment. Australia now has a detailed plan setting out the implementation of performance based navigation and approaches with vertical guidance. The plan should be read by aircraft and airport owners and operators as it explains the technologies to be adopted and required infrastructure investments.

 

Instrument approaches with vertical guidance will provide an important improvement in safety, as they are eight times safer than an approach that provides only lateral guidance. Currently in Australia only about ten per cent of aerodromes have vertical guidance in the form of an instrument landing system. Australia will adopt barometric vertical navigation – this uses satellite-based navigation for lateral guidance and barometric navigation for vertical guidance. These new approaches will be introduced at about 200 aerodromes over the next six years, with additional infrastructure required at many locations.

 

Read Australia’s performance based navigation plan.

 

How we regulate – outcomes or prescription?

 

The debate about an outcome-based or prescriptive approach to aviation safety regulation has been canvassed by CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick. In a recent speech Mr McCormick set out a range of principles that should be considered when looking at how to deliver safety regulation. He told the Queensland branch of the Aviation Law Association these principles need to be examined where the aviation legislation allows for a choice between an outcome-based or prescriptive approach. He said the International Civil Aviation Organization has made it clear that compliance with standards and recommended practices will continue to be a cornerstone of international civil aviation safety. However it was also clear ICAO believes international civil aviation faces challenges in basing the management of safety exclusively on prescriptive compliance.

 

The Director said a sufficient level of trust between the regulator and regulated aviation organisations was one of the most important factors in determining the approach to regulation. "The regulatory authority must be confident that the organisation can and will effectively and meaningfully take on what amounts to a degree of 'self-regulatory' responsibility," Mr McCormick said. "The corollary to this proposition, of course, is that the organisations involved in such arrangements need to be confident that the regulatory authority will be fair and reasonable in assessing the organisation's efforts to comply with broadly-framed obligations and expectations – that the regulator will not be arbitrary, capricious, pedantic or inconsistent in its assessments. In other words, operators must be confident that the regulator will not resort to inappropriately prescriptive forms of assessment and analysis, after having invited or allowed an operator to approach its obligations in an outcome or performance based manner." Mr McCormick said a prudent mix of outcome-based and prescriptive regulation will "almost certainly be the most appropriate course".

 

Read the Director’s speech on safety regulation.

 

Budget boost for aviation safety oversight

 

The Federal Government has provided a big budget boost to aviation safety, with an extra $89.9 million in new funding allocated over four years. Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the unprecedented increase in CASA’s budget will strengthen safety oversight of the aviation industry. Mr Albanese said the extra funding will be used for a range of purposes. This includes employing additional safety specialists, safety analysts, airworthiness inspectors and other staff. The additional funding will also support expanded and ongoing staff training and make permanent random alcohol and drug testing, as well as a number of other programs which until now had been funded on a temporary or ad hoc basis. The Office of Airspace Regulation will continue to have the resources to properly regulate Australia's airspace.

 

Mr Albanese said: "While Australia has an enviable safety record, the Rudd Labor Government isn't taking future success as a given. The 100 million passengers that fly through our skies every year expect and deserve nothing less than our continued vigilance. Our large additional investment in CASA's highly professional workforce builds on the reforms we've made to the organisation's governance arrangements with the appointment of a small board of experts to oversee its strategic direction. This extra investment in safer skies will be funded via a small increase in the aviation fuel excise (from $0.02854 to $0.03556 per litre). The Government considers this to be a reasonable and responsible step considering the industry's continued growth depends on the public's ongoing confidence in its safety standards."

 

Read the Transport Minister’s statement in full.

 

Airwaves clear at Lake Eyre

 

An area broadcast frequency covering the Lake Eyre region has been activated. Pilots operating in the Lake Eyre region must use 127.8 MHz while flying in the designated airspace. The discrete frequency has been put in place to reduce congestion on the other four area frequencies surrounding Lake Eyre and the common traffic advisory frequencies at William Creek and Maree. An instrument requiring the use of the Lake Eyre area frequency came into effect at the start of May 2010 and will lapse at the end of October 2010. CASA has introduced the discrete frequency due to the larger than usual numbers of aircraft visiting Lake Eyre for sight seeing and tourism. With Lake Eyre rapidly filling with water visitors are expected to flock to the region right through the winter months. The region covered by the frequency centres on North and South Lake Eyre – from Lake Gregory in the east to Mt Margaret in the west and Lake Pantoowarinna in the north to Tarlton Knob mine in the south. It applies up to 5000 feet. Pilots must broadcast the aircraft’s callsign, position and level, as well as the intentions for the flight. Pilots taking off or landing from within the designated airspace must also use the new area frequency.

 

Read the Lake Eyre instrument.

 

Fresh advice for flying in volcanic ash

 

Australian air operators have been given new information on operations in airspace known or suspected of being contaminated with low levels of volcanic ash. Operators of turbine powered aircraft have been told to be vigilant when flying in volcanic ash conditions and to report any encounters with ash to CASA through the normal service difficulty reporting system. The actions recommended by a European safety information bulletin issued in late April 2010 following the eruption of a volcano in Iceland are also commended. The European Aviation Safety Agency says aircraft and engine manufacturers have been asked to develop instructions to cover pre and post flight inspections for exposure to low levels of volcanic ash. Where these instructions don’t currently exist, the safety information bulletin sets out recommended inspections. Systems sensitive to ash include engine compressors and turbines, engine oil systems, aircraft pitot and air data systems, aircraft environmental control systems and cooling air systems for computers. The International Civil Aviation Organization is working on setting global standards for the concentration of volcanic ash that could affect the flight safety of aircraft and engines.

 

Read the volcanic ash airworthiness bulletin.

 

More money for remote strip upgrades

 

Even more airstrips in remote parts of Australia will be upgraded and made safer. This follows the allocation of $5.9 million in this month’s Federal Budget to extend the Remote Aviation Infrastructure Fund for a further two years. Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the Rudd Labor Government is acting to give regional Australians access to the basic services city residents take for granted such as essential supplies, mail, passenger transport and medical care. "In fact, for remote communities whose road access is poor or disrupted for extended periods during the wet season, the local airstrip is a vital lifeline," Mr Albanese said. "If these Australians are to continue reaping the economic and social benefits of aviation, we need to continue investing in their airstrips."

 

The new funding will upgrade up to 19 airstrips from a 'charter' safety standard to the higher 'regular public transport' standard, with the likely work ranging from the laying of an all-weather runway to the relocation of the airstrip away from hilly terrain. The allocation of funding will be prioritised on the basis of need in consultation with CASA. The new money builds on last year's initial allocation of $3.0 million, with $3.9 million to be spent in 2010-11 and a further $2.0 million in the following financial year. This funding is in addition to the ongoing Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP), which helps local communities fund routine maintenance on and repairs to their airstrips.

 

Extra funding for Indonesian safety assistance

 

An extra $14.5 million has been allocated for Australian transport safety authorities to continue working with their Indonesian counterparts. Since 2008, Australia has been helping to strengthen the capacity of Indonesian authorities to regulate and enforce higher safety standards within their aviation and maritime sectors. This has involved the training of Indonesian safety inspectors and accident investigators, as well as joint search and rescue exercises. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced new funding for this work in this month’s Budget. Mr Albanese said: "The new funding in this year's Budget will build on the progress achieved to date, as well as help in the transfer of critical knowledge, skills and systems relating to transport safety. The new funding builds upon the $24 million allocated in 2008. Together these investments will continue improving safety standards within our region. This will benefit 1.3 million people who travel between Australia and Indonesia each year." CASA is one of the Australian agencies delivering support for Indonesia under the program.