More to come?

Another challenge for the DASR is the mooted CASA restructure. As in any organisational restructure the temptation no doubt will be to focus on the actual organisational reporting lines and disposition of functional areas, as this is the easiest stage. But this is only half the job. The next step is to identify and appoint the best person for each functional role.

Clearly this challenge would be made manifestly easier if CASA could identify those officers who might be happier pursuing other employment opportunities. The hardest aspect of this stage is to remove incumbents while still working within the public service constraints. However, this is the only way left to instigate the much-needed cultural change. Ideally we would see some managers replaced by those who have industry management experience, who understand the ramifications of the impact of the proposed regulations and can maintain a sober approach to risk assessment. Indications are that the director has the full support of the board in this endeavour and surely, together, they can complete the job.

The RAAA urges CASA to increase the pace of change.

The industry continues to call for a review of the progress of the implementation of the Aviation Safety Regulatory Review (ASRR). An outside observer may be led to believe that reasonable progress has been made. However, there remains a degree of reluctance by CASA in having that assertion tested by independent analysis. Perhaps some comfort could be gained by one of the three ASRR authors taking a closer look? During this period of restructure it is imperative to benchmark the new plans against the ASRR to ensure a successful and complete assimilation of all the government recommendations.

The most significant issue by a long way, and one that remains at the forefront of the RAAA priority list, is flight and duty time rules found in Civil Aviation Order 48. 1. If Directive 01/2015 were applied, it would require CASA to examine empirical evidence gathered and monitored over the years through safety management systems that clearly demonstrate how operators have successfully been identifying the hazard and managing the risk of fatigue. CASA requires operators to analyse and respond to such data and yet CASA has only at the eleventh hour made an effort to obtain/discuss or analyse this objective evidence.

This data is like gold as it has been gathered from Australian operators operating in the Australian context. CASA has been asserting that there is a safety risk in this area that is not being managed by operators. The disconcerting thing is that its assertions are based on overseas studies, some of which were not even conducted in the aviation environment. Perhaps the most telling fact is that not only the operators, but the Australian Federation of Air Pilots are also warning that the new rules are unacceptable.

So it is therefore hardly surprising to hear that a major regional airline is considering moving offshore to where the legislative framework is simpler, and more pragmatic.

The importance of training

The regional aviation industry relies totally on the continual supply of suitably qualified and competent engineers and pilots. Training organisations are a fundamental and integral part of the regional aviation industry and their ongoing performance is a renewed focus of the RAAA.

Recent efforts have seen a number of highly respected training organisations become members. One of the benefits of RAAA membership includes opportunities to establish and maintain strong networks with end users within the regional aviation industry. This helps to produce engineers and pilots who can more effectively and efficiently ‘hit the ground running’ when they move into their first job, as the training organisation can understand more fully exactly what the employer requires of their new staff.

Another key benefit is having a solid and unified voice when working with the legislators in developing emerging regulations. Working with the RAAA ensures that key people from the training organisations have a strong and clear voice around the regulation development table.

This is the only way left to instigate the much-needed cultural change.