Capt Manuvar,
Great stuff, many thanks for your input.
The regulator's ability to provide the effective oversight function is the basis of the FAA international aviation safety assessment (IASA). On the logic that a bad regulator has no chance of producing a safe system.
In addition to autonomy the regulator is expected to have evidence of:
- laws or regulations necessary to support the certification and oversight of air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards;
- technical expertise, resources, and organization to license or oversee air carrier operations;
- adequately trained and qualified technical personnel;
- adequate inspector guidance to ensure enforcement of, and compliance with, minimum international standards; and
- sufficient documentation and records of certification and adequate continuing oversight and surveillance of air carrier operations.
I think a major missing part of the framework is the lack of collective commitment of regional (AFI) governments towards improving safety standards by implementing policies that will tackle the source of the problems rather than the symptoms.