From the Regions

The initial meeting was held in Bankstown earlier this month. We will be running further workshops as the FTAG membership grows and we strongly encourage you to come along with any relevant colleagues, peers and guests to vocalise your specific issues and address them to us.

The independent review on the CASA fatigue rules is underway and we welcome opportunity this presents for all parties to take an objective examination of the data. The RAAA and its members recognise the significance of managing fatigue, however, due to the diversity of operational requirements across regional aviation sectors we acknowledge, and have always understood, how a ‘one size fits all’ policy would be inadequate. The RAAA is hopeful that the review will be cognisant of this reality.

The RAAA and its members recognise the importance of managing fatigue.

The RAAA is seeking to obtain and provide objective, data driven evidence to illustrate that different industry sectors require an individualised approach to managing fatigue in their organisations. In order to gather this evidence, the RAAA is proposing to undertake a trial utilising the accelerometer wristbands and CIRCADIAN Australia tracking software to monitor, collate and analyse the data sets from a variety of RAAA member operators with varying fatigue management needs. CIRCADIAN Australia has over 30 years of experience in developing and implementing fatigue risk management systems (FRMS) and this exercise will enable the RAAA to develop a position, based strictly on data, as to the safest and most appropriate way in which FRMS should be managed by RAAA members in the Australian Regional aviation context. Notably, CASA has agreed to sponsor the trial through the RAAA so that we can work together to both inform the independent fatigue regulation review and ultimately provide effective, evidence based legislation.

The Australian Indigenous Aviation Foundation (AIAF) held another board meeting recently. The foundation is now formally registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. We expect a formal announcement and launch this month. Senator Nigel Scullion has expressed full support for the initiative, so we can expect a high profile public launch of the Foundation soon. RAAA FTOs can expect to be invited to tender for training students from ab-initio to CPL. Some RAAA members have already expressed a keenness to place successful graduates.

The Aerospace Industry Reference Committee (IRC) deals with the Developing national training package qualifications relevant to aircraft and aircraft parts manufacturing, civilian aircraft repair and maintenance and military aircraft repair and maintenance. The RAAA has now been officially appointed to this important body. We will be helping to shape the new engineering training packages to ensure they are fit for purpose.

The Aviation Industry Reference Committee (IRC) deals with the national training package qualifications relevant to Aerodrome Operations, Airport Safety, Ground Operations, Cargo Services, Customer Service, Aviation Transport Protection, Aviation Search and Rescue, Management and Supervision, Air Traffic Control, Flight Operations (Pilots – aeroplane, helicopter, commercial, military, remote and pilot in command) and Flight Instruction. The RAAA represents members on this committee and welcome any relevant input from members.

For both the Aviation and Aerospace IRC details, including membership names and the Operating Framework, simply google either ‘Aviation IRC’ or ‘Aerospace IRC’.

The 2017 RAAA Convention continues to draw closer with excitement and anticipation as our theme of ‘Change is in the Air’ brings us this year’s keynote speaker – Jessica Watson OAM. Alongside Jessica, we will host a variety of speakers from industry, government and members allowing for a broad and varied opportunity for discussion and networking. There are still a few exhibitor and Sponsorship packages available, so get in touch with the RAAA office to find out how you can get involved in what is set to be a fantastic event.