From the regions

Back in the day, CASA would provide flight examiners to conduct all flight test examinations. As the industry matured and grew, CASA simply didn’t have the resources available to conduct this activity in a timely and cost efficient manner. Senior grade 1 instructors were then identified and Approved Testing Officers were created to provide this service for and on behalf of CASA. As these delegates were performing this role on behalf of CASA, the Australian government provided the necessary Professional Indemnity insurance cover. Fair enough as the ATOs were providing a service on behalf of the Australian government. In recent months the government have sought to withdraw this cover and impose this cost on the industry. In spite of protestations to the contrary, an adequate insurance cover costs upwards of $8,000. This is the true and actual cost incurred by several of our ATO members. This of course means that the $8,000 needs to be recouped by the ATO. As most regionally based ATOs only provide around 8 test flights per year, then clearly the cost of each flight has to be $1000 extra. Given that there has never been a successful claim on the Australian government resulting from an ATO in the performance of their duties, one could reasonably ask what is the risk to the Australian government in continuing to provide cover for its own delegates? One also needs to imagine what would happen to the industry should the ATO numbers plummet do to the cost of the service become non-viable. CASA have been asked to provide the number of ATOs approvals that have been granted to the industry and the number of ATO approvals that have either been surrendered or no longer being used. Staggeringly, CASA are not able to provide the answer.

What would happen to the industry should the ATO numbers plummet?

FTAG

Following on from the success of three Flying Training Action Group (FTAG) workshops held in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide, the RAAA has been encouraged to continue the momentum with further workshops around the country. This initiative encourages all flying training organisations (FTOs) across the country to participate by identifying the key issues inhibiting the efficiency or effectiveness of their operations. Together we have begun to distil the common issues addressed at the three workshops thus far into two key points to develop a targeted plan with detailed steps to address those challenges. The key issues raised at all our workshops so far include: a shortage of experienced instructors and the lack of a clear career pathway for potential students. The RAAA will be advocating for re-entry into the instructional workforce by experienced airline pilots who are no longer able to hold a Class 1 medical. We also have some very successful example of partnerships between some of our Flying Training Organisations and Regional Airlines where a direct and clear pathway is established as early as possible. This model will be promoted as far as we can. We strongly encourage all Flying Training Organisations to attend the next round of consultations in your area. Come along to voice your issues and concerns.

Convention

The 2017 RAAA Convention will feature an excellent variety of speakers to align with this year’s theme of ‘Change is in the Air’. There will be ‘something for everyone’! With the official speaking schedule now published on our website, we can announce the broad cross-section of industry knowledge, experience and wisdom that will present at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. Alongside keynote Industry speakers, Shane Carmody (CASA), Jason Harfield (AsA) and Greg Hood (ATSB) we will be hosting Lee De Winton (CEO of Bankstown/Camden Airports), Professor Rico Merkert (University of Sydney) and Samantha Freebairn (Squadron Leader RAAF). We also have a very limited amount of sponsorship and exhibitor booths available. To access the full list of speakers or to register please visit our website: https://raaa.com.au/convention/2017-national-convention/

For further information on any of the topics, please contact the RAAA office at [email protected]