Page 113 - AA 2018_09

FIRE & AG Simplify, simplify, simplify
PHIL HURST
CEO – AAAA
Aviation policy would benefit from going back to basics

ccomplished instructors help on the obvious risks and treatments, also simplify things. The Part already
their students by simplifying getting a genuine commitment to looks like a patched and bandaged tyre
AERIAL
APPLICATION tasks. When things are not going implementation would take longer. It to simply make it work – and getting
ASSOCIATION OF
AUSTRALIA LTD. Awell, they tell them to go back to is very pleasing that it appears this is back to basics would improve this
basics. now happening through recognition basket case of ‘reform’. For example,
This excellent advice is an important of the AAAA AIMS program and the putting rotary on the same regs as
touchstone for addressing devilishly imminent approval of the AAAA chief fixed-wing for proficiency checks would
complicated problems – including pilots course, although it is yet to be a start. Pushing operational training
intractable political and policy permeate reg reform. back to operators would also make a
challenges that resemble a Gordian The opportunities that fall out of a significant difference.
knot. sector risk profile include a meaningful The recent report from the
Aviation policy could certainly classification of operations that expert panel on aviation skills and
benefit from getting back to basics. A verbalises CASA’s different appetite for training (see taaaf.org) into the
clearer understanding of sectoral risk, risk across sectors. Without this, there shambles of aviation training and
matching that to a regulatory stance is little chance of securing improved inconsistent funding is another plea for
that doesn’t smother industry, and then regulations – or of getting back to simplification and fairness. Simplifying
monitoring for safety would be a start. basics. training and providing funding for
AAAA is working with CASA on CASA could easily remove specialised, low throughput ratings
‘CASA could reviewing the aerial application sector meaningless red tape – for example, the such as aerial application would be a
leap forward.
requirement to have all aircraft listed
risk profile which informs CASA’s
easily remove approach to risk management. on an AOC. CASA and AAAA did it in and a soft landing, you could do a lot
If you are chasing a stable approach
2007 to simplify Part 137 AOCs and it
As the first sector to help CASA
red tape.’ develop a sector risk profile, it was clear has worked perfectly ever since. worse than getting back to basics.
A rolling revision of Part 61 would
that while we could get agreement

Much-needed AHIA TORQUE

PAUL TYRRELL
Getting commercial aviation experience on board CEO – AHIA

ASA is taking very seriously much-needed resources to bear on a that its operations are fully funded by
issues with Robinson helicopter critical issue. Experienced operators industry, the skill mix on its board is
engines, particularly those from northern Australia and a number now far less than optimal.
Cmachines operating in the hot of helicopter engineers are applauded Government has responsibility for
environments of northern Australia. for their tenacity and commitment in these appointments and the shift to
Cylinder cracking and unusual trying to discover the root causes of commercial aviation experience on
valve guide wear is appearing in some these serious engine problems. the CASA board should be replicated
engines after a few hundred hours. While CASA appears to be beefing with urgency on the Airservices
The reasons are still unclear but have up its commercial aviation experience board. There are some very talented
been the subject of intense scrutiny (a new CASA board chairman was due and experienced people within our
across the industry. Operators have to be appointed as this magazine went industry. Why not use them?
been asking for more focus from CASA. to print), the same cannot be said for Finally, building on the considerable
Considerable data gathering and Airservices. success of Rotortech 2018, a significant
research work is underway in concert At the time of writing there is now national event aimed at the helicopter ‘CASA’s
with the fuel companies and the engine no-one with significant commercial industry in 2019 is under initial
manufacturer. aviation experience on the Airservices development. More updates will be involvement
There are no definitive conclusions board. Given that Airservices is rolling provided in this column as soon as
yet but CASA’s involvement will bring out the $1.7 billion OneSky project, and possible. Watch this space! will bring
much-needed

resources.’

SEPTEMBER 2018 113