Getting tired of it

Time to fix CAO 48.1

It is time CASA settled the fatigue risk management system (FRMS) debate once and for all. The current regulations embodied in CAO 48. 1 must be put on hold and CASA needs to carry out a comprehensive review of the new regulations. This should include a comparison with current fatigue risk management rules in overseas jurisdictions such as those in the US, Europe and New Zealand. The fatigue rules in 48. 1 pertaining to regional aviation are far more restrictive than in these countries and CASA has not provided any valid justification for such an unnecessary impost on the regional aviation industry.

The review must not be conducted on the CASA premise that fatigue is an unmitigated risk in the industry and simply examine whether or not CAO 48. 1 will fix ‘the fatigue issue’. It must examine whether or not there is any empirical evidence that justifies the new CAO 48. 1 rule set. It is ironic that Australian regional operators are faced with the most restrictive and costly rules in the world and yet operate in a far, far less fatigue-inducing environment than that of the US or in Europe.