The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has published a new timetable for changes to the nation’s aviation regulations in response to feedback from industry.
The timetable outlines the 20 regulatory change projects, including regulations covering general operating rules, air transport operations, aerial work, continuing airworthiness and maintenance for small aircraft, small aircraft maintenance licensing, sport and recreational operations and unmanned aircraft, that CASA is undertaking between now and 2020.
CASA director of aviation safety Mark Skidmore said the main aim of the timeline was to “avoid placing any unnecessary burdens on aviation organisations or individuals during the process of developing and implementing new and improved regulations”.
Further, it includes “realistic transition periods to give everyone adequate time to move across to the new regulations”.
“CASA has learnt from past mistakes made during the development and introduction of regulatory changes such as the flightcrew licensing suite,” Skidmore said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Consultation processes are being improved, regulations will be tested with the aviation community before introduction and information will be presented clearly and provided consistently.
“Our new approach to regulatory reform is consistent with the Federal Government’s response to the Aviation Safety Regulation Review, which stated time was needed for the aviation community and CASA to adjust to and successfully implement regulatory changes.”
In November, CASA set up a dedicated team of full-time staff to address issues raised by the suite of new licensing regulations, including Parts 61, 64, 141 and 142, as well as reviewed transition arrangements and determine what needed to be prioritised.
Meanwhile, the aviation safety regulator also held a series of community consultation sessions to get feedback from owners and operators over recent months.
In addition to the taskforce, CASA also invited representatives from the nation’s key aviation industry groups – The Australian Aviation Associations Forum, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, the Australian Helicopter Industry Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Australian Business Aviation Association, the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia and the Aerial Application Association of Australia – to join a new advisory panel.
The panel also included representatives from the regular public transport and mustering sectors, flying schools, and the tertiary education sector.
The new timeline can be found on the CASA website and is reproduced below.
