The Titanic has finally hit the iceberg!
The Australian helicopter industry has been generally locked down with the COVID disaster; and CASA, in good faith, have asked for a review of two substantial legislative packages; Firstly, the Part 6 MOS aerial work operations, recently closed a week ago; secondly, another layer of legislation now being offered above all existing legislation known as the CATS regulatory suite; issued for comment on 2 Jun with replies by 30 June 2020.
The obvious problem is that industry is generally locked down with enormous COVID restrictions, and many companies are probably in hibernation with staff stood down. In particular, the largest group of operators are in the rural mustering industry and they are presently approaching the peak of the mustering season.
This means their staff are deployed in extremely remote areas away from base and of course unable to respond to the request for comments in a matter of weeks. For example, the MOS runs to 132 pages, according to media sources. The CATS is an overview or concept, but extremely complicated – this is an understatement! (About ten cups of coffee to process the magnitude of this proposed monumental regulatory reform process.
So, what is the answer? Perhaps we should turn to the various associations, including those involved in both flying operations and aircraft maintenance. Some are currently accepted by the regulator as advisers, and perhaps they could be asked to jointly work through the issues
I respectfully ask that meaningful comments are passed on this thread, so that we do not end up having an argument such as where the "deckchairs should be placed on the deck of the Titanic."
Best of luck, with this project; you advice is needed, I am a poor swimmer and the life boats are full!!
Your help is needed, any ideas?