AHIA strongly protests CASA’s mismanaged regulatory reform process!
This thread has been started to keep our members and the helicopter industry abreast of the struggle the AHIA has had in attempting to release the stranglehold our regulator is having on any progress in our aviation industry. For example, there has been few ATPL (A) issued since September 2014 – and it is believed no ATPL (H) from the helicopter pilot segment. And of course, there are so many others, we cannot list them here.
After months of frustration resulting from the continuing delays by CASA with the release of Part 61 Flight Crew Licensing Manual of Standards (MOS); the AHIA has sought help from the aviation community; especially The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) and other leading aviation industry groups. The TAAAF was recently reinforced by several associations who have substantial memberships; and also suffering similar setbacks from the current regulatory reform processes now being imposed on industry.
By way of explanation, the helicopter industry has the second largest number of registered helicopters in the Western World, (mostly light to medium types). Unfortunately, the forced change to EASA based legislation does not fit the rotary wing industry in Australia; in fact, other countries are now complaining about the results to date – and some are deviating from the EASA standards to avoid a collapse of local industries.
Although helicopters make up only 14% of the CASA register; we have around 30% of AOCs. The latter reflects the scattered nature of our industry in rural areas, where aerial work is the dominate activity. We have no RPT operations and our fleet is predominately single engine day VFR equipped.
But what is the primary gripe? AHIA/CASA working groups were expecting the re-release of the troubled Part 61 MOS in September 2015, as mentioned at the Senate Enquiry held in May 2015.
It has been delayed well into 2016, according to CASA sources, due to several reviews underway.
Why bother with all this fuss? Although not identified when the new legislation was being written; the helicopter operators are effected more than their aeroplane cousins. The transitions for helicopter folks are very costly; especially with the introduction of Part 61, 141 and 142, etc.
Trigger action for public protest. The recent debacle where two of Australia’s leading helicopter schools had their Part 142 applications rejected cause sever angst in the Board Rooms of Australian operators. It has been alleged the cause was the issued CASA guidance material; claimed to be not suited for the task??. Despite the writing projects running for around twelve months and being assisted by capable CASA regional staff, the applications were rejected. Aeroplane operators are indicating to the AHIA that our problem is not unique and they are suffering too.
More to follow:
AHIA