CASA Briefing Newsletter - November 2013

[Admin]

From the Director of Aviation Safety

 

John McCormick

 

CASA was pleased to see the announcement by the Federal Government this month of the independent review of aviation safety in Australia. The review is an opportunity for everyone in aviation to think carefully about important issues, to put forward constructive ideas for change and to see how Australia compares with other leading aviation nations. It gives individuals and organisations the chance to have their say, including agencies such as CASA. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, told Parliament the Government is determined to ensure everything is done to make Australia’s aviation safety system even better. This is a goal CASA wholeheartedly supports and indeed works to every single day. When CASA develops new regulations, carries out surveillance, conducts an audit or delivers safety education our aim is to improve the outcomes of our aviation safety system. We are always striving to do this as effectively and efficiently as possible and the review will assist us by benchmarking our work and identifying opportunities for improvement.

 

Importantly, the review is looking at both the structures, effectiveness and processes of all the agencies involved in aviation safety, as well as the relationships and interactions of the agencies. CASA understands and values the importance of our relationship with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and we have processes in place to ensure the outcomes of the Bureau’s investigations are carefully analysed and appropriate regulatory and safety actions are taken. Any steps that can be taken to further develop our relationship with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and other aviation agencies, will be positive both for CASA and the aviation safety system. Another important area to be considered by the review is the burden and costs of regulation. Mr Truss told Parliament: “The Government has a clear policy of reducing the cost of regulation to business, and this goal will be part of the review. If there are ways to improve our safety outcomes and reduce the regulatory burden and the costs imposed on industry, then we can create a win-win outcome for the Australian economy overall.” CASA already takes the costs of regulation into account when developing and implementing safety standards and we welcome this aspect of the review. While achieving the best possible safety outcomes must always come first, CASA understands regulation must not be an unnecessary drag on aviation activity. The review is scheduled to report to Mr Truss by May 2014 and will be undertaking extensive industry and public consultation over the coming months.

 

Find out more about the independent review of aviation safety.

 

Best regards

 

John F McCormick

 

Licensing suite implementation changes

 

Changes have been made to the implementation schedule for the new licensing suite of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. The new commencement date for the licensing suite is now 1 September 2014. The main reason for the adjustment is to give CASA and aviation people and organisations more time to plan and prepare for the transition to the new rules. CASA has been receiving valuable feedback from people about both the new regulations and transition issues and more time was needed to consider this input. While CASA consulted widely over a lengthy period of time on the new licensing suite a significant level of feedback has been received this year. One outcome of this feedback has been the development of a package of amendments to clarify the intent of the regulations, correct a number of anomalies and to make improvements designed to benefit the aviation industry. Unfortunately, due to issues beyond CASA’s control—including the Federal election period when this kind of rule-making could not progress—it was not possible to make these amendments before the original licensing suite start date of 4 December 2013.

 

CASA delivered a substantial amount of education and information on the new licensing suite during the course of 2013. The 1 September 2014 commencement date allows more time for people and aviation organisations to absorb this information. This year CASA held around 80 AvSafety seminars at locations across the nation and made more than 350 visits to aviation organisations. In 2014, these education and information activities will be reinforced to ensure everyone has the knowledge they need to understand the new licensing regulations. The new licensing suite will bring important improvements to aviation safety while reducing red tape and devolving more licensing functions to the aviation industry. The new commencement date of 1 September 2014 means CASA and the aviation industry can be confident of a smooth and effective transition to the new regulations.

 

Get more information on the licensing suite.

 

Know the right size for your electronic flight bag

 

A minimum screen size for devices being used as electronic flight bags is now being recommended by CASA. The key issue is making sure the electronic device has a screen size and resolution able to display information in a comparable way to paper aeronautical charts and other documents. The recommendation is for a minimum screen size of 200 mm, measured diagonally across the active viewing area. Where the device is being used to display maps and charts they should be able to be viewed without excessive scrolling. In an updated advisory publication CASA says consideration needs to be given to ensuring devices being used as electronic flight bags are not cumbersome. Devices may be hand held or on temporary mounts such as Velcro, but must be stowed during phases of flight such as take-off and landing, an instrument approach, when less than 100 feet above terrain and in turbulent conditions. Permanent mounts to an aircraft for devices require an airworthiness approval and must not obstruct external vision and visual and physical access to displays or controls. Cables needed for the operation of electronic devices must also not present a hazard. Electrical power outlets that are not part of the original design of the aircraft will require an airworthiness approval.

 

Read the electronic flight bag advisory publication.

 

If you need CASA services over Christmas ask now

 

Christmas is only weeks away so it's time to think about any services you may need from CASA over the holiday period. CASA's offices will close from midday (AEST) Tuesday 24 December 2013 and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2014. All routine CASA services to the aviation industry will not be available between these dates. Anyone who may need CASA services during this holiday period must contact CASA well before the closure. That means it is now time to talk to your local regional office or the CASA Licensing and Registration Centre. Consider if you will need services such as the issue of a pilot medical, the issue or change of a licence, aircraft registration, variations to air operator’s certificates or the issuing of any other documentation. All these services will not be routinely available during the Christmas-New Year break.

 

Naturally if you need assistance with an urgent aviation safety issue CASA will have people on call to help, but please limit requests to matters that cannot wait until normal business resumes. For urgent assistance call CASA’s main telephone number - 131 757 - and follow the prompts. Foreign air operators who require assistance over the Christmas period are requested to visit the international operations section of the CASA web site for all general information. If urgent help is required for operations such as medical non-scheduled flights, CASA’s international operations can be contacted on +61 7 3144 7400. Anyone who needs to make an urgent or short notice request relating to airspace, such as the creation of temporary restricted airspace, should contact +61 2 6217 1177.

 

Get more information on the Christmas New Year closure.

 

Your guide to avoiding magneto failures

 

A new guide to preventing unnecessary and costly magneto failures has been published. This follows continuing reports of magneto problems caused by a range of factors. Over a two year period 45 per cent of aircraft ignition failures were attributed to magneto problems. The compilation of information and advice by CASA, published in an airworthiness bulletin, can be used to avoid magneto problems which lead to rough running engines, engine failures and engine overhauls. Reports of problems found during basic magneto maintenance and operations relate to both Champion Aerospace (Slick) and Teledyne Continental (Bendix) magnetos. Examples have been found of the installation of the wrong magneto for a particular engine and position. This can cause the possibility of destructive detonation. Magnetos must have the correct part number and model and installation must be verified against approved data. There is a warning that overhauled magnetos may contain parts which have been in service for many years, with the internal nylon gears suffering problems related to age such as cracking or hardening. Broken gear teeth may also be caused by prop strikes, kick back during starting, high temperatures, magneto locking devices left in the magneto and lightning strikes. CASA recommends magnetos operating in harsh environments should be overhauled more frequently than the recommended maintenance intervals.

 

Read the magneto maintenance airworthiness directive.

 

Milestone in Australian aviation in December 2013

 

The twelfth of December 2013 is an important date in the advancement of Australian aviation. That’s the start of the requirement for aircraft operating above flight level 290 to carry approved and serviceable automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment. Aircraft without approved automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment will not be cleared by air traffic control for flight at or above flight level 290, subject to a special exemption. Any aircraft not able to operate at or above flight level 290 will miss out on the benefits of operating at optimum cruising levels, such as fuel efficiencies. Aircraft without automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast will also miss out on benefits such as improved safety, air traffic control priority in some situations, continuous rather than stepped climbs and descents, greater ability to obtain requested routes or levels and the easier location of aircraft during search and rescue. CASA has provided a limited exemption to the new automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast requirements due to the operators of some business jets having difficulty obtaining and installing the equipment. A two year exemption period is available on application for airspace covered by the so called east coast radar J curve – airspace from 200 nautical miles north of Cairns to 220 nautical miles west of Adelaide – as well as some oceanic areas of Australian airspace. Operators must apply for an exemption at least 14 days before a flight takes place.

 

Find out more about automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast requirements.

 

Facts and figures: a snapshot of safety regulation

 

A total of 11,252 alcohol and drug tests were conducted by CASA during the 2012-13 financial year. From these tests there were only seven positive for alcohol and two positive for drugs. These facts are just some contained in CASA’s latest Annual Report, which provides a snapshot of aviation safety regulation and activities. Australia now has more than 36,900 people with current pilot licences, more than 15,100 registered aircraft and more than 7,700 licensed aircraft maintenance engineers. In addition there are more than 1000 air traffic controllers, 330 operators of certified and registered aerodromes, 701 maintenance organisations and 856 holders of air operator’s certificates. During the 2012-13 year CASA issued 25,470 medical certificates to pilots, air traffic controllers and flight engineers. CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, described 2012-13 as “a year of consolidation of the structural changes and key programs of work that I introduced earlier in my term. These are now embedded in our day-to-day work practices and are starting to deliver tangible dividends in our core regulatory, safety and support functions”. Mr McCormick said CASA faces a number of challenges which include a new air traffic control system, continuing growth in aviation to support the resource sector and growth in the remotely piloted aircraft sector. “As an organisation we are committed to updating and improving safety standards through the introduction of new regulations, and where necessary the enforcement of existing regulations, while continuing to undertake comprehensive surveillance to ensure all sectors of the aviation industry meet their safety obligations.”

 

Read CASA’s latest annual report.

 

Fair and open reporting a key to stopping fatigue

 

Aviation organisations have been urged to promote an open and fair reporting culture to safeguard Australia’s high level of air safety. The call was made by CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, in a speech focussing on flight crew fatigue management. Mr McCormick said the success of fatigue management is dependent on an open and fair reporting culture in the workplace. He said there is evidence pilot fatigue continues to be significantly under-reported, with one international study finding only 20 to 30 per cent of pilots filed a report when they felt unfit for duty. The importance of fatigue management is highlighted by Australian Transport Safety Bureau data that shows there were 78 incidents and accidents over ten years in which fatigue was likely to have been a contributing factor. CASA receives numerous confidential reports from pilots about current operations that in their opinion lead to excessive fatigue. In April 2013 new pilot fatigue management rules came into effect in Australia, with operators having three years to transition to a three tiered system. The new rules give operators a choice on how best to manage pilot fatigue according to their type of operation. Mr McCormick told the Regional Aviation Association of Australia annual meeting fatigue management must be a shared responsibility between the operator and pilots. He said CASA was now working with representatives from the aviation industry on developing fatigue management rules for cabin crew.

 

Read the Director's speech on fatigue management.

 

Time to learn about hypoxia

 

Hypoxia – where your body is deprived of oxygen - is a risk for many pilots and understanding what happens and why is an important safety issue. CASA's YouTube channel now features a short video setting out some of the key issues relating to hypoxia as well as explaining the benefits of hypoxia training. The video has two expert presenters – Dr Adrian Smith, an aerospace medicine specialist, and Dr Rod Westerman, an aviation consultant. One of the issues highlighted in the video is the importance of a range of other factors on hypoxia, beyond simply altitude and the length of exposure. A 20 packet a day smoker’s lungs are already working at an equivalent altitude of 5000 feet, where there is less oxygen than at ground level. So if a heavy smoker is at 8000 feet in an aircraft the effective level of oxygen being delivered to the brain is equivalent to about 13,000 feet, an altitude where people can get symptoms of hypoxia. Other factors relevant to hypoxia are fitness and cold. Lack of fitness and cold means a person’s body uses a lot more oxygen, leaving less available for the brain.

 

View the hypoxia video now.

 

Online resource centre helps public understand aviation

 

A new on-line aviation information resource centre has been set up to help people with questions or issues related to Australian air travel and aviation operations. The resource centre covers eight areas of aviation operations of most interest to air travellers and the general public. The areas covered are: aircraft noise, airline customer service, aviation security, airport curfews, aviation accidents and incidents, military flying activities, aviation safety and low flying aircraft. Each area has a dedicated web page which provides a snap-shot of the relevant issues, explains where to get additional information and sets out how to lodge an enquiry or complaint. The aviation information resource centre streamlines the process of lodging and responding to enquiries or complaints. For air travellers and the public it is an easy-to-use web site that helps people identify the right place to go to find aviation related information. The aviation resource centre also assists six government agencies to co-ordinate and manage responses to requests for information or complaints. The agencies involved are the federal Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Australian Defence Force, Airservices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Aircraft Noise Ombudsman.

 

Visit the aviation information resource centre.