The pain of inconsistency

The “keep it simple” method of running a business definitely has been a key success factor over the past 25 years. Whilst our sector of Aviation is no longer a business arena that fits into the “keep it simple” vogue and whilst the only constant over the past 25 years has been change, the changes moving forward are and will be the greatest challenge our industry has faced since Wilbur and Orville made their piece of aviation history.

Surprisingly, I am in favour of regulatory reform. Aviation regulations are a very important part of our industry, and most regulations have been introduced to ensure ongoing aviation safety.

Currently, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issue licenses and approvals to a wide range of aviation professional yet CASA need to also individually approve almost every decision that qualified and experienced aviation professionals make before any changes can be made within their businesses and areas of expertise, and in their time frame!

What this process means to the aviation community is that change takes time. To vary a certificate of approval with the slightest change, or to change a key team member can take several months. There are small businesses out there who currently cannot operate because they need a key person approved but CASA cannot schedule the approval process, and so the business just has to stop. I personally know of businesses that have been waiting more than five months for CASA to complete a Chief Pilot approval processes.

The industry wide key issue with the CASA is the lack of consistent standards across the regional offices. What is understood to be the regulation in one regional office is viewed completely differently by another office. What can be achieved for $1600 in one CASA regional office can be as much as $150,000 cost to an operator from another CASA regional office – and this I know from personal experience, not anecdotal reports.

CASA charge at least $160 per hour to consider an application to vary or add an approval. There are no set hours for a task, there are no set procedures for completing a task and it is up to an individual within CASA to determine how they interpret the regulations and the various Handbooks that allegedly guide CASA. All too often, the individual tasked to consider an application or approval may have no operational experience or any expertise in the area of the requested variation or new approval request.

“There are no set hours for a task, there are no set procedures.”

When you consider inconsistencies like these are normal day to day inconsistencies, you may begin wonder why I still have a fascination for aviation!

The Australian aviation industry requires urgent attention, not just in regulatory reform but in CASA having key standards set, measured by key performance indicators and those measurements reviewed and reported by an industry based watchdog to ensure that the CASA improves from the current nightmare to what should be a world leading example of how a National Aviation Authority should operate.

A recent CASA survey was carried out which showed the total disdain held by the industry for the regulator. This needs to change, and the only way that can happen is for independently monitored key performance indicators to be mandated for CASA. The Federal Government and the Minister need to act urgently to start this process.

The general aviation industry employs thousands of people and provides essential services including:
* Emergency services such as medical, fire and rescue services;
* Regional airline services connecting remote Australians with major centres;
* Freight services to ensure that regional business can continue to operate; and
* A range of other services that ensure the Australian economy continues to operate.

The cost of maintaining and operating aircraft is expensive. The cost of training and keeping personnel competent within their aviation roles is expensive. These costs are necessary. But the cost of continued incompetence by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority is an unacceptable and unnecessary burden on industry and all Australians.

Safety must remain the highest priority in Australian aviation. The regulations must support the ongoing safety of aviation is Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s role must be that of the Regulator ensuring a Safety First aviation industry. It should not be the meddling, inefficient and ineffective bureaucratic nightmare it currently is.