Well, the last working day of 4th quarter 2006 (at least for CASA) has sailed by.
Output?
Noise: lots.
Product: nil.
Good news though! Lot’s of things will be done “soon”. Quotes from the November SCC talkfest draft ‘meeting record' here:
http://rrp.casa.gov.au/archive/meeti...rd_061121.pdf:
Airservices Australia have recently conducted a review of ARFFS. As part of this review Airservices have used the Directive 16 risk assessment model. A discussion paper has been published by DOTARS recently which seeks to address deficiencies in the current regulations. CASA is preparing a submission to this paper and that CASA will be registering a new Legislative Change Project shortly [really?] through the Airspace Users Group Sub-committee.
How many years has ARFFS been under review?
Graham Edkins advised that the CASA appointed Project Manager, Stephen Phillips is currently working on other projects. When available the Project Officer will review CAO 48, and further develop the partially completed guidance material as well as establish an industry working group.
How many years has the CAO 48 camel been under review? There are more exemptions from CAO 48 than compliances!
Grant Mazowita advised that a Draft paper will be posted to the Discussion forum very shortly [really?].
Of course it will. And then we’ll discuss it for a few years and decide nothing.
Grant advised that CASA is still awaiting a final settled legal draft of CASR Part 137; there have been some outstanding legal issues.
Who’d have thought – legal issues in regulations! Classification of operations has, of course, gone backwards and sideways. I won’t bore you with the blurb.
Those maintenance regulations projects are going gangbusters, though.
Hondo advised that incomplete drafting instructions for Part 42 have been sent to the Office of Legal Drafting and Publication (OLDP), in the hope these will assist OLDP with the drafting of Parts 66 and 147.
Such child-like naivety!
Hondo advised that policy work on Part 145 was well underway.
and was supposed to be finished years ago. But the camel that is the maintenance regulations now has 3 humps and two heads:
Hondo advised that the Draft CAO 100.66 was almost finished [really?], and will be provided to the Maintenance sub-committee for comment very shortly [really?]. He advised that it is equivalent to an EASA style licence system and uses a Maintenance authority to fill the gap between a normal and EASA licence. This system will be available voluntarily to industry early in 2007.
No it won’t. And I thought there weren’t going to be any CAOs under the new rules. Meanwhile, on Part 91:
Ron advised that the sub-committee established the Part 91 Control Board, which was to consist of Gavin Turner, Paul Middleton and Bill Hamilton, with Dick Thompson on standby, if required. The Control Board will be announced to the SCC on the discussion forum and plan to meet in March 2007 to review the AIP material as well as any proposed changes.
That’s at least another year’s talkfest. Meanwhile, we’re progressing backwards on FCL:
Roger advised that the sub-committee revisited the status of Parts 61 and 141. Members were advised that during March–May 2005 Directive 16 Working groups convened on both parts. The recommendations from the Part 61 working group have not been incorporated into the Part. Members identified issues on Part 61 which still require resolution …
But let’s not rush this; heaven’s no:
There was great discussion on the minimum regulated number of solo hours which was included in the CAR 5 amendment. A discussion took place on whether CASA should regulate or provide a flexible arrangement in the regulation. Members were reminded that CASA is aiming to regulate for the future. The meeting discussed competency issues which were included in the CAAP and how they would be measured. Concern was raised regarding undue haste, and the need for a controlled trial by CASA and the panel.
But we’re very close to nearly being a year from finishing!
Members were advised that there are quite a few number of CASR parts which are very close to being fully drafted [sure there are – there have been for years, or so we were told] and also a number which have high priority already placed on them [wow!]. Bruce advised that by placing a higher priority on this Part it would effectively have to take priority off another Part [oh no!]. Members were advised that unless additional drafting resources are provided it may take up to twelve months for legal drafting of Part 61, after drafting instructions were submitted to OLDP.
Cert standards are going nowhere:
Jim Coyne, acting Manager, MCANTO and CASA Co-Chair, advised that there has been very little activity with the sub-committee in the last quarter. Jim advised that Part 146 is still with OLDP and is being given low drafting priority.
Rec aviation standards will be out ‘soon’:
Joe advised that Parts 149 and 115B continue to develop. It is anticipated that Part 149 will be ready for NPRM early 2007 [really?], with 115B to follow.
That maintenance camel is coming soon!:
Hondo advised that the next MSC meeting will be held mid-December [did that meeting happen?] to discuss the comments received back on the NPRM, consultations on which close 27/11/2006. In the meantime Hondo advised that the CAO 100.66 is nearly complete [of course it is!] and will be pre-released to the sub-committee, prior to its release. Hondo advised that the consultation is going very well [of course it is!].
And as a final irony, the item ‘SCC efficiency’ action item was:
a) To make this an Agenda item at the next meeting. SCC members to consider prior to the SCC meeting, whether changes to the SCC are required to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. b) Pass ‘Future role of the SCC’ paper to Chair.
An action item to develop a plan on what the SCC should do to deal with its action items more efficiently.