CASA Briefing Newsletter - September 2018

[Admin]

From CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody

 

Cheaper ADS-B on the way

 

CASA has listened to the aviation community and will be developing rule changes aimed at making it cheaper and easier for automatic dependent surveillance—broadcast (ADS-B) technology to be voluntarily fitted to visual flight rules aircraft. This action follows consultation which showed broad support for the voluntary adoption of ADS-B across general aviation. The consultation made it clear the installation of ADS-B in the visual flight rules aircraft fleet should remain voluntary and CASA accepts this position. The challenge has been to find the right solutions and incentives that will encourage the fitting of ADS-B while maintaining an acceptable level of safety. CASA is proposing to adjust the equipment and installation standards to achieve these outcomes.

 

A mechanism will be established to classify the installation of ADS-B equipment in smaller type-certificated aircraft as a minor modification – not requiring an approval. For non-type certificated aircraft - including amateur home-built and sports aviation aircraft - owners and operators will be able to install ADS-B avionics that is compliant with a relevant ADS-B technical standard, but without necessarily being authorised under that standard. Installation of this equipment would be allowable under self-administration arrangements.

 

The solutions we are proposing genuinely reflect the preferences and ideas from the aviation community, including avionics manufacturers and installers. We see this as a sensible and practical solution for the visual flight rules community to ensure technology that makes the skies safer is available and more affordable. There will be further consultation on the detail of the proposed rule changes before they are finalised and implemented.

 

Read the feedback on the ADS-B consultation at CASA’s consultation hub.

 

Best wishes

 

Shane Carmody

 

Latest news

 

Staged transition to new fatigue rules

 

A staged approach is being taken to the transition to new fatigue rules for Australian aviation. High capacity regular public transport operators will transition to the new fatigue rules by 30 September 2019. All other air operators will need to move to the new fatigue requirements by 26 March 2020. This follows the adoption by CASA of most of the recommendations made in an independent review of the fatigue rules. CASA accepted the recommendations after extensive public consultation, as well as consideration of advice from the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel and an industry technical working group. The review and subsequent consultation have also resulted in a number of changes to the fatigue requirements and the way they are to be implemented. These include a revision of flight duty periods to align more closely to international averages, a better approach to approving and monitoring fatigue risk management systems, improved guidance on flight and duty time limits and fatigue risk management systems, a sample fatigue risk management system manual and examples of acceptable means of compliance. CASA has committed to ongoing monitoring of fatigue data and international practices to inform any future changes and will scrutinise the transition to the new rules to determine if any further improvements are needed. CASA’s Board is satisfied the fatigue changes strike an appropriate balance between safety and impact on the aviation community.

 

Find out more about the fatigue changes.

 

We listen to flight rules feedback

 

A number of changes are being made to the proposed general operating and flight rules following an analysis of responses to consultation. CASA issued the proposed Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations in March 2018 for broad consultation and received 116 responses. There was majority support for the proposed package of regulations, with feedback on specific items indicating a need for some amendments. CASA intends to make Part 91 in the fourth quarter of 2018, followed by the making of the Part 91 manual of standards in early 2019. The rules will commence in March 2021. Changes are now being made to a range of proposed provisions. The fitness-for-duty rule is being amended to reinstate the eight-hour rule and add a prescriptive blood alcohol level requirement. Amendments are being made to the cruising level requirements from 1000 ft to 1500 ft above ground level to provide appropriate alleviation in the reduction of the above mean sea level height from the current 5000 ft to 3000 ft above mean sea level. The requirements for taking off and landing into the wind at non-controlled aerodromes are being changed to permit cross wind training. Existing requirements for the carriage of passengers in experimental amateur-built aircraft will continue without the need for further approval. The flight instrument equipment requirements for experimental amateur-built aircraft are being changed to clarify the approval process so it is not more onerous or complex. It is also being made clear aircraft operated under the visual flight rules are not required to be fitted with or display anti-collision lights or navigation lights.

 

Get full details on Part 91 consultation responses.

 

Licensing regulations transition complete

 

The four-year transition period for the new flight crew licensing and training regulations was completed at the end of August 2018. This means old flight crew licences and authorisations are no longer valid and all active pilots have converted their licences to new Part 61 Civil Aviation Safety Regulation licences. Pilots who have not been active can still convert their licence at any time when required. Flight training organisations have moved to Part 141 and 142 approvals. On 1 September 2018 there were 242 flying training organisations with these approvals. CASA’s CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, said despite the challenges of transition an enormous amount of work was been delivered on time. “It is a remarkable achievement that couldn’t have happened without the efforts of the aviation community. I appreciate the commitment to the transition by flying training organisations who were asked to do this work on top of their usual business. I particularly want to thank people who contributed through participation in the Part 61 solutions taskforce and the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel. Issues with the new regulations were addressed and improvements made where appropriate. We will continue to work on improvements to the flight crew licensing regulations and the Part 61 manual of standards, including incorporating the intent of current exemptions and approvals.”

 

Find out more about the licensing regulations.

 

Wet season safety for top end pilots

 

It’s time to focus on the coming wet season across the top end of the nation. To help pilots stay safe during the wet CASA is holding a special safety seminar in Darwin in October 2018. The free seminar will focus on pilot decision making relevant to flying in the wet season across northern Australia. There will be discussion about key issues such as aircraft and pilot limitations, weather forecasts and air traffic control services. CASA subject matter experts will be joined by representatives from the Bureau of Metrology and Defence air traffic control. The ‘Weather to fly – wet season decision making’ seminar will help pilots of all qualifications and levels of experience operate safely during the coming months. The seminar is an ideal opportunity to learn, ask questions of CASA and discuss local aviation safety issues. It is being held on Wednesday 24 October 2018 from 18:30 to 20:30 at the Novotel Darwin Airport, 2 Sir Norman Brearley Drive, Darwin Airport. CASA is planning to release an online video presentation based on the seminar for pilots who cannot attend the Darwin event.

 

Book your place now at the Darwin wet season safety seminar.

 

Lithium battery cabin safety

 

Advice for air operators and cabin crew on managing lithium battery risks has been released. It is estimated the average Australian passenger travels with up to six electronic devices powered by lithium batteries during each flight. A new cabin safety bulletin covers the management of an in-flight lithium battery fire, including the actions to be taken by cabin crew. Lithium batteries can overheat, ignite and release noxious gases. Problems can be caused by electrical shorting, rapid discharge, overcharging, a manufacturing defect, poor design or damage such as crushing or dropping. Overheating results in a process called “thermal runaway”, which is a reaction within the battery causing internal temperatures and pressure to rise at a quicker rate than can be dissipated. While the carriage and use of electronic devices with lithium batteries is not an overwhelming risk to flight safety there are potential risks, particularly if devices cannot be easily and quickly accessed. The cabin safety bulletin says appropriate crew training is an important mitigating factor in preventing lithium battery incidents. Operators should also have documented procedures in their operations manuals available to flight, cabin and ground personnel. Every effort should be made to ensure passengers are aware of the requirements for the carriage of batteries in their cabin or checked baggage.

 

Read the lithium battery cabin safety bulletin.

 

Prop governor warning

 

A warning has been issued about a potential problem with McCauley propeller governors. The issue relates to suspected unapproved parts that may not conform to the approved design. Checks should be made in relation to any McCauley propeller governor with an idler gear bearing part number A-20028, marked “BA-59”. The bearing is installed within the oil pump idler gear of the governor to boost engine oil pressure to facilitate propeller blade control. Problems with the bearing can cause the governor to lose some or all control. In a single-engine aircraft this will show as the RPM being too high, with an inability of the governor to keep the RPM down. In twin-engine aircraft the RPM will be too low, with an inability to bring the RPM up to the set speed or may result in the propeller going into uncommanded feather. Bearing deterioration or failure may also cause metal contamination within the engine oil system, with consequential wear and damage to internal rotational and reciprocating assemblies requiring engine bulk-strip for repair. CASA recommends aircraft owners, operators, maintainers and parts distributors inspect their aircraft records and parts inventory for the identified suspected unapproved parts and take appropriate action. A McCauley Service Bulletin provides more information.

 

Go to the propeller governor airworthiness bulletin.

 

In Brief

 

• Michael Bridge has been appointed to the CASA Board for a three-year term. Mr Bridge is a former chief executive of Airnorth and has more than 30 years experience as a pilot. He brings considerable aviation safety, management and corporate governance experience to the CASA Board.
   
   
  
• The dates for the 2019 Flight Examiner Rating course classroom workshops have been released. The workshops will be held from February to October 2019 in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Participants must enroll at least 21 days before each course.
   
   
  
• A new easy to use form is on the CASA web site to help members of the public and the aviation community report unsafe drone operations. The form captures the information CASA needs to investigate potential breaches of the drone safety regulations. CASA has issued nearly 50 infringement notices during 2018 to date for drone safety breaches.
   
   
  
• A summary of the feedback to consultation on the review of Part 145 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations has been released. A technical working group under the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel will be formed to analyze the issues identified and develop solutions.
   
   
  
• An Ayers Rock airspace review report has been released. The review found there were no risks that required changes to the existing Ayers Rock airspace. Stakeholder feedback focused on improving efficiency and shared use of the airspace.
   
   
  
• A proposed manual of standards to accompany the remotely piloted aircraft regulations has been released for comment. The proposed requirements create clear standards for remote pilot training and training organisations, create Australia’s first official syllabi for the remote pilot licence, clarify requirements for drone operations in controlled and prescribed non-controlled airspace, facilitate extended visual line of sight operations and formalise recordkeeping and notification requirements for drone operators.
   
   
  
• Comments are being sought on the manual of standards for Part 149 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. Part 149, which was made earlier in 2018, covers approved self-administering sport and recreational aviation organisations. Consultation is open until 21 October 2018.
   
   
  

 

 

Pilot seminars in October

 

The current series of AvSafety seminars provides support for developing pilot skills in three key areas - communication, situational awareness and threat and error management. The focus is on operations at non-controlled aerodromes, with a practical scenario used to explain the concepts of threat and error management. Pilots work through relevant defensive flying behaviours aimed at addressing human factors challenges encountered in single pilot operations. Discussion will look at how threat and error management techniques complement the technical aspects of flying an aircraft. At each seminar pilots will be given special cards with key information on communication, situational awareness and threat and error management. The cards can be kept in a new AvSafety resource folder to build a library of critical safety information. Cards and folders are only available to people who attend AvSafety seminars.

 

In October 2018 seminars are being held at:

 

• Albury
   
   
  
• Atherton
   
   
  
• Cairns
   
   
  
• Clare Valley
   
   
  
• Coffs Harbour
   
   
  
• Echuca
   
   
  
• Geraldton
   
   
  
• Horn Island
   
   
  
• Maryborough, Victoria
   
   
  
• Mt Isa
   
   
  
• Port Lincoln
   
   
  
• Port Macquarie
   
   
  
• Yarrawonga.
   
   
  

 

 

Book a place at your local AvSafety seminar.

 

October seminars for engineers

 

Seven engineering seminars are being held in October 2018. These seminars will cover a range of topics including leadership and mentoring for aviation maintenance engineers, specialist maintenance certification, Flight Safety Australia maintenance articles and a regulation review update. They are aimed at engineers, heads of airworthiness and maintenance, other people from airworthiness organisations and training personnel. The seminars are a great professional development opportunity and allow people to talk with CASA maintenance experts and ask questions. Engineering seminars are at:

 

• Adelaide
   
   
  
• Albury
   
   
  
• Geraldton
   
   
  
• Horn Island
   
   
  
• Jandakot
   
   
  
• Parafield
   
   
  
• Perth
   
   
  

 

 

Find out more and book a place at an engineering seminar.

 

 

[Yenn]

these words from the CEO always remind me of the words from RAAus leaders. Do they all wear the same rose tinted glasses? Or maybe it is catching if you work in Canberra.