CASA Briefing Newsletter - December 2012

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From the Director of Aviation Safety

 

John McCormick

 

With the Christmas-New Year celebrations and holidays almost upon us, let me wish everyone an enjoyable break and a safe and prosperous 2013. As I look back on aviation in 2012, I see a year with many achievements, some tribulations and lots of hard work. Australia’s enviable safety record is testament to the commitment of people across aviation to strive as hard as possible to meet the highest standards. In CASA we are committed to updating and improving the safety standards through new regulations, while undertaking comprehensive surveillance to ensure everyone meets their safety obligations. Hand in hand with this goes effective safety education to give aviation people the knowledge and support they need to achieve the appropriate standards. I do not pretend for one minute that achieving these goals is always easy - for us in CASA or you in the aviation industry. In CASA we have to use risk assessment to determine our priorities and actions. If a risk to aviation safety becomes unacceptable we need to act by improving the standards or by intervening to alter the way operations are being conducted. Not everyone may agree with every action we take, but I can assure you we think long and hard about the outcomes we are seeking on behalf of the Australian community before we act.

 

Looking ahead to 2013, there is change on the horizon. As most people will know significant suites of new rules are being developed and implemented to complete the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. While I understand the process of transitioning to these new rules will require some additional effort by aviation organisations and individuals, I can assure you CASA will strive to make the process as smooth as possible. We will provide education, training and support. Of course, the introduction of modern, technologically up-to-date and internationally aligned new rules should not distract us from the day-to-day business of maintaining, as well as striving to improve, the nation’s aviation safety performance. This is our common goal and I can assure you CASA will continue to do everything possible to support all aviation people to do the best possible job.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all aviation people, their families and friends.

 

Best regards

 

John F McCormick

 

Choose your electronic flight bag carefully

 

Pilots wanting to use electronic flight bags are being advised to be careful about their choice of device. The recommended minimum size is A5 - 210 x 148mm. This is because a device being used as an electronic flight bag needs to be able to display information in a comparable way to the paper aeronautical charts and documents it is replacing. Devices should be large enough to allow images to be shown without excessive scrolling. Smart phones, for example, are not appropriate as the screen is too small. At the same time pilots need to think about the device most suited to their aircraft. While a laptop might be appropriate in a large aircraft, it may be cumbersome and difficult to operate in a smaller aircraft. The new rules covering the use of electronic flight bags do not set out which devices should be used in various aircraft, rather allowing flexibility for pilots and operators to choose devices most suited to their operations. Amendments to the Civil Aviation Orders setting requirements for the use of electronic flight bags in commercial operations came into effect in November 2012. They are based on the latest international standards.

 

A Civil Aviation Advisory Publication has been published to provide guidance to both commercial operators and private pilots about the use of electronic flight bags. It says documents that have already been approved under the regulations do not need any additional approval if they are stored in an electronic flight bag in essentially the same form as the original. Cables required for a device must not present a hazard and a stowage area should be available for devices that are not mounted to an aircraft or by a kneeboard. Electronic flight bags have to be able to operate in a wide range of temperatures, low humidity and at altitude and these performance capabilities must be confirmed before a device is selected. Power sources and battery life also need to be considered, as well as air flow around devices to maintain cooling. The new regulations require the holders of air operator’s certificates to establish a support infrastructure, with appropriate documented procedures, to ensure the ongoing integrity and currency of the hardware and software being used as electronic flight bags. These requirements are set out in Civil Aviation Orders 82.0, 82.3 and 82.5.

 

Read the electronic flight bag Civil Aviation Advisory Publication.

 

Comment now on options for new maintenance regulations

 

Everyone in the non-regular public transport sectors of aviation is being encouraged to look at and respond to a series of discussion papers on the next stage of the development of new maintenance regulations. CASA has released five discussion papers setting out a series of options for revised maintenance regulations for aircraft used in charter, aerial work and private operations. The discussion papers cover maintenance providers, continuing airworthiness management, maintenance programs, airworthiness reviews and maintenance personnel licensing for small aircraft. An objective of the development of the new maintenance regulations is for the maximum devolution of responsibility to the aviation industry. An extended comment period, until 1 March 2013, has been set for the discussion papers to give everyone the opportunity to look carefully at the options and provide considered responses. CASA will take no action in relation to the proposals until all responses and submissions have been considered. The publication of the discussion papers is the first stage of consultation on the development of new maintenance regulations for the charter, aerial work and private sectors.

 

The discussion paper on the maintenance of non-regular public transport aircraft states the intent of the options presented is to improve on the systems aircraft operators currently use for carrying out maintenance of their aircraft. “This would be achieved through the creation of a set of standards for maintenance that are graduated in their application to a particular type of aircraft operation, based on the operational work environment and its associated level of risk,” the discussion paper says. “Pairing the different non-regular public transport flight operations to a particular graduated level for aircraft maintenance would result in appropriate safety outcomes. Higher operational regulatory classifications will require more robust legislative control, providing greater safety benefits to stakeholders. Lower operational regulatory classifications would attract less onerous regulation.”

 

Read the non-regular public transport maintenance discussion papers and have your say before 1 March 2013.

 

Plan encourages the use of flight simulators

 

CASA is actively taking steps to encourage the use of flight simulators across the aviation industry. A high-level plan has been released setting out six goals for flight simulation over the next two years. These goals and associated initiatives will enhance aviation safety by improving CASA’s regulation of flying training and testing conducted in simulators. The goals are: adopting the International Civil Aviation Organization simulator classification framework, mandating the use of simulators for training and checking of high risk emergency procedures in certain types of aircraft, amending relevant regulations to cover all simulation devices, improving safety oversight of organisations providing simulator training, encouraging the increased use of simulators and encouraging simulator operators to maintain and upgrade their devices. There are currently 34 full-flight simulators operating in Australia, five flight training devices with no motion and 91 instrument flight trainers. In the flight simulation operational plan CASA says simulators can provide more in-depth training than similar training in an aircraft, in a safe and suitable learning environment. The fidelity of modern simulators means there is an assurance the performance of pilots in a simulator will be transferred to flight in an aircraft. The mandatory use of simulators for training and testing emergency procedures will significantly reduce the risk of accidents.

 

Read the flight simulator operational plan 2012-14.

 

Learn more about defect reporting

 

Updated advice on the reporting of aircraft or aviation component defects is now available. A revised Civil Aviation Advisory Publication on defect reporting is essential reading for all aircraft operators, maintenance organisations and engineers. It is a requirement under the civil aviation regulations for a range of defects to be reported to CASA. Major defects - defined as causing primary structural, control cable and engine structural failure or a fire - must be reported immediately. Certain other defects must be reported within two working days. A failure to report defects could lead to administrative or prosecution action by CASA. Defect reports are entered into a database by CASA so the information can be analysed for trends in design and maintenance reliability. Where problems are identified this can lead to the issuing of airworthiness directives or bulletins, as well as general advice to the aviation industry. Information from the database also provides reliability statistics and trend monitoring of aircraft, engines, propellers, systems and components. It is in the interest of everyone in aviation to submit as much accurate information as possible on defects so a complete picture of potential problems and issues can be developed. In fact, CASA encourages people to report defects that are not covered by the mandatory reporting requirements if it is believed the information will be of value. Defect report information is published on the CASA web site and in the Flight Safety Australia online magazine so everyone can access the results of the defect reporting system.

 

Read the defect reporting advisory.

 

Finding out about fatigue is easy

 

There’s a new online source of comprehensive information about the management of fatigue in aviation. A set of pages has been developed on CASA’s web site to bring together a wide range of information on fatigue - including proposed regulatory changes, International Civil Aviation Organization guidance material and a fatigue management toolkit. In addition, there are 29 commonly asked questions and the answers. A key information page explains how to identify and avoid fatigue, how to be aware of the signs of fatigue and the obligations of individuals and air operators. The fatigue management toolkit contains a training and development workbook for aviation personnel, a trainer’s handbook, an employee’s training assessment log book and guidance on bio mathematical fatigue modelling. The frequently asked questions and answers cover the proposed new regulations for fatigue management for flight crew and the development and implementation of fatigue risk management systems. The information is relevant to both large and small air operators.

 

Go to the fatigue management online resource.

 

Make sure you inspect oil and oil filters

 

Owners, operators and maintainers of piston engine aircraft are being warned to carefully inspect all oil filters and screens at each oil change. Recent reports to CASA indicate catastrophic engine failures have occurred after a failure to look at or evaluate metal debris in oil filters and screens. Service difficulty reports also show potential in-flight engine failures have been avoided by the early detection of adverse internal engine wear or damage through careful examination of oil and oil filters. In an airworthiness bulletin CASA says there are a number of factors operators and maintainers must be aware of when assessing oil and oil filters. The engine oil itself should be visually checked for colour and any larger metal fragments. Both suction and pressure filters need to be inspected, with paper cartridge filters cut open to allow pleated elements to be unfolded and closely examined. The volume of debris must be evaluated and should be compared to previous oil changes, with the shape and size of metallic fragments identified. A mixture of small chunks of magnetic and non-magnetic material often indicates valve, ring or piston failure. Large amounts of non-metallic material may indicate problems with bearings or piston pin plugs.

 

Get all the details on piston engine oil and oil filter inspections in the airworthiness bulletin.

 

Beechcraft rudder pedal warning

 

The rudder pedal arm on some Beechcraft aircraft is failing due to wear at the brake pivot holes. Owners, operators and maintainers of all Beechcraft aircraft are being urged to check to see if their aircraft may be affected. The problem is occurring in aircraft with rudder arm part numbers 50-524326 and 002-524020. A number of service difficulty reports have been sent to CASA describing wear and sometimes failure of the rudder pedal arm at the brake pedal pivot holes. In an airworthiness bulletin CASA recommends owners, operators and maintainers of Beechcraft aircraft take three steps. The first is to check aircraft records to determine if the relevant rudder pedal arm parts are installed. If the parts are installed the aircraft’s maintenance manual should be consulted for inspection criteria and wear limitations. Where no inspection instructions are provided contact should be made with the local Beechcraft representative to obtain appropriate guidance. If the rudder pedal arm is replaced as a result of following these steps, this should be reported to CASA through the service difficulty reporting system so the issues can continue to be monitored.

 

Read the Beechcraft rudder pedal airworthiness directive.

 

Thousands went to safety seminars in 2012

 

Almost 4000 aviation people attended CASA’s AvSafety seminars during 2012. A total of 96 seminars were held in all states and territories, from remote locations such as Horn Island to the capital cities. During the year the focus was on educating pilots and other aviation people about the ‘official’ aviation resources available on the internet and on raising awareness about human factors. Feedback from people who attended the AvSafety seminars was very positive, with everyone keen to learn more to fly as safely as possible. Five forums were also held during the year targeting young pilots through tertiary educational institutions. These forums were run by CASA, Airservices Australia, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the Bureau of Meteorology and the RAAF. Again, feedback from the people who attended was constructive and appreciative. Over the course of 2012 CASA’s aviation safety advisers conducted more than 1000 on site visits to large and small aviation organisations to provide information and advice, as well as to listen to feedback. This program of visits will continue in 2013, with a focus on raising awareness and providing information on the introduction of new operational regulations.

 

Find out more about aviation safety advisers.

 

Remember CASA is closed for Christmas-New Year

 

There are only a few days left to finalise any regulatory services needed from CASA before the Christmas-New Year holidays. It is already too late for an application for a medical certificate renewal or issue to be processed before the holidays - any applications lodged now will be processed in early 2013. No regulatory services, such as aircraft registration or variations to air operator’s certificates, can be provided from the end of business on Friday, 21 December 2012 until the start of business on Wednesday, 2 January 2013. All offices, including the CASA Licensing and Registration Centre, are closed during the holidays. Naturally, CASA will have staff available over the holiday period to assist with urgent aviation safety matters. The best way to contact CASA will be through the switchboard telephone number - 131 757 - and then follow the prompts. Foreign air operators who require assistance over the Christmas period should contact CASA through Dean Robertson, team leader, international operations, by phone on + 61 7 3144 7400 or mobile +61 435 963 446 (mobile number 0435 963 446) or through the International Operations email address [email protected].

 

Get full details on the holiday arrangements