Chuckles on the money as usual!
At the risk of sounding cynical I find it hard to believe that this sort of question and answer time and associated debate still exists in this day and age of Byronist aviation Nirvana.
The Great One is on record as having remedied all needs and deficiencies of 'grass roots' flying training to the Australian public in the CASA Annual Report of 2004/2005
Improved safety in flying training
Following analysis conducted within the Office of the Chief Executive Officer in early 2004 of General Aviation fatal accidents for the past decade, CASA identified the need to provide increased support for the flying training industry, particularly as a means of reducing the incidence of uncontrolled flight into terrain.
To address this need, CASA has formed a team of flying training specialist inspectors and created the Flying Training Industry Development Programme. In conjunction with the specialist inspectors, this programme will help the flying training industry identify issues adversely affecting flying training standards, and develop initiatives and programmes to address these issues.
CASA expects the following safety benefits will be achieved:
Training for and standardisation of Flying Operations Inspectors and Authorised Testing Officers will ensure appropriate pilot entry standards are understood and applied in a consistent manner on a national basis.
Industry will gain an enhanced understanding of the broader issues surrounding flying training standards and will demonstrate a greater acceptance of their responsibilities to maintain high standards in flying training.
By adopting a cooperative and collaborative approach, flying training industry participants will be encouraged to share concerns and issues with CASA and offer partnership-based solutions in a constructive manner.
Advice from the industry, combined with implementation of targeted programmes on a partnership basis, will deliver an enhanced overall safety climate in the flying training sector.
The Flying Training Role Specialists group was formed following announcements from CEO Bruce Byron that CASA is looking to improve our contribution to the flying training sector, and in the future will work closely with the Flying Training Industry Development Panel.
The CASA Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Mr Bruce Gemmell, has reported that the formation of the team and its role is a good example of a changed approach designed to achieve better aviation safety outcomes.
"CASA now has a clearly defined focus on passenger-carrying operations, with flying training a high priority. We can't expect safety at the top levels unless we ensure pilots are being trained and assessed properly right from the start."
Both students and experienced pilots rely on the quality of the training they receive to develop the skills and knowledge that keep them and their passengers safe, and making real improvements in this area is the group's major focus.
With specialists to be engaged in significant face-to-face contact with all subparts of the flying training industry, the training was designed to enable members to present a consistent, up to date and technically competent face to industry to ensure maximum credibility.
Flying training specialist group member Leonard Yates reported that the purpose of the week in Maitland was to standardise the group, ensure their flying skills were current and up to speed and look at how instructors should be trained and assessed.
"To do this we flew specific sequences in a Cessna 172, with specialists taking turns role-playing instructors and students.
"The ground component of the training involved looking at stalling and circuits in flying training assessment.
"We also received refresher training in emergency manoeuvre recovery on a Pitts Special aircraft, including inverted spins and other scenarios an authorised testing officer or flying instructor might find themselves in.
"For the group it was refresher training, making sure we are all current and confident in handling these situations.
"The outcome from the training was a united view about where we should be going in terms of projecting requirements for authorised testing officers and chief flying instructors.
"We worked solidly throughout the week finishing up around 10.30 each night with our laptops around the dinner table. I think I can speak for all of the group when I say that the training was invaluable and it gave us a terrific opportunity to bond as a team."
Surely you have seen and met these trained and capable Specialists out and about at your flying school or tarmac addressing all your questions and concerns jsmitty01? Or is this really a wind up Pete?
