Originally Posted by
Mach E Avelli
Indeed CASA provides no assistance in the AOC application process; more like they drag it out by having a caste of thousands peruse every statement in every document submitted. This perusal goes well beyond mere ticking of boxes, with individuals within CASA rejecting words, paragraphs and chapters in order that their own 'pet' versions be incorporated.
Having been involved in a start-up high capacity jet AOC where we were careful to cross reference everything against the regulations, it still took a team of us 8 months to get the paperwork passed. Fortunately, we got through with just one proving flight. Then CASA wised up and made other even better resourced applicants who followed do several proving flights.
REX is starting with some advantage in that they have an AOC, so this would be a variation application, but even so it is quite likely that CASA will drag out any approval to next year. A September 2020 start date would be highly fanciful, Christmas 2020 would be barely feasible if the application was made next month with manual suite attached, postholders nominated and aircraft identified by serial number.
And the favourite CASA chestnut is the use and definition of the word ‘intent’ (Lead Balloon should be along shortly, he loves the legal jargon). I can only picture you Mach, diligently writing manuals and procedures, cross checking them against the Regs only to be trumped by CASA when they decide to apply their own version of intent to whatever you have submitted. I feel your pain my friend.
Regardless, REX will get a couple of free goals due to who is managing the ‘sharp end’ of their company. Would just be nice to see pilots flying and aircraft burning Avgas and Jet A1 again.