How serious is Mr. Skidmore?
Reading his latest missive, November issue, a couple of points:-
“Pilots with a current licence only need to undertake an aviation English language proficiency assessment if they want to use their Australian licence overseas. However, a current aviation assessment is needed before applying for any flight test for a private, commercial, air transport or multi-crew pilot licence. People needing to find a language assessor should talk to their local flight training school.”
I would have thought that one’s language ability would be quite adequately dealt with during training and licence testing.
Wonder what extra costs are involved and how does CASA approve language assessors?
What is the practice in the US and NZ?
Is this another example of unnecessary and costly micro management ?
In regard to the last part of Mr Skidmore’s report, entitled
"Fatigue forum praised for practical answers”, reading this is most confusing.
Quote:-
"Fatigue forum praised for practical answers"
More than 80 people from 22 aviation organisations and CASA came together in Melbourne at a special forum in November 2015 to achieve a mutual understanding of fatigue risk management systems. Presenters with experience in the development and operation of specific aspects of a fatigue risk management system provided practical, best-practice advice. There were many opportunities for everyone to ask questions of both the presenters and CASA, triggering useful discussions. Feedback from those who attended was very positive. There was support for the format, the standard of presenters, the quality of information and the opportunities to get practical answers to questions. CASA would like to thank everyone who participated including: Dr David Powell, senior lecturer and specialist in Aviation Medicine with the University of Otago in New Zealand and previously the chief medical officer at Air New Zealand; Mal Christie of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau; Jenny Allcock of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator; Adam Fletcher and Richard Yates of Integrated Safety Support; Ben Cook of Human and Systems Excellence; Greg Fallow of the New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association and Captain James Boland of Express Freighters Australia. There was very strong support for another fatigue risk management forum to be held in 2016.
More than 40 people representing 22 aviation organisations attended a special fatigue risk management systems forum in November 2015. The aim of the forum was to ensure there is a mutual understanding between CASA and aviation organisations of the requirements and expected outcomes to be achieved prior to being approved for a trial of a fatigue risk management system. To achieve this mutual understanding 30 inspectors and staff from CASA took part in the forum held in Melbourne. Presenters with experience in the development and running or specific aspects of a fatigue risk management system provided practical, best-practice examples of what works. There were many opportunities for everyone to ask questions of both the presenters and CASA, triggering useful discussions. Feedback from those who attended was very positive. There was support for the format, the standard of presenters, the quality of information and the opportunities to get practical answers to questions. CASA would like to thank Dr David Powell, senior lecturer and specialist in Aviation Medicine with the University of Otago in New Zealand previously the Chief Medical Officer at Air New Zealand, where he led the FRMS for 15 years; Mal Christie of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau; Jenny Allcock of ONRSR; Adam Fletcher and Richard Yates of Integrated Safety Support; Ben Cook of Human and Systems Excellence; Greg Fallow of NZ ALPA and Captain James Boland of Express Freighters Australia. There has been very strong support for another fatigue risk management forum to be held in 2016."
It would seem that there were two forums held recently in Melbourne.
One with more than thirty FOIs and other CASA staff;
One with 40 attendees and one with 80 attendees are reported.
Both meetings (or was it only one meeting with a massaged message inadvertently posted together with the first draft) surely not at the same time. Will the real forum please stand up?
Wonder what the overall cost was? Would anyone from CASA be able to put a dollar cost on this or these forums? Were any of Mr. Skidmore's 26 member "Tiger Team" who are working full time to correct the hopelessly compromised Part 61 regs in attendance?
What details and costs about accomodation and meals can we be given?
No doubt many being flown in from Canberra and further afield.
It seems that a lovely time was had by all and of course they’ll all be back next year to have a wonderful conference all about the next tranche of changing regulations. Much more enjoyable than working for a living, our fuel levies bringing happiness and satisfaction to our masters.
Meanwhile back in the real world of what’s left of GA, it is gasping for air, struggling to pay the bills and struggling at the task of coping with a new suite of regs that will see many more aviation businesses close their doors.
What’s it all about? Not a single example or detail about any practical outcome in Mr. Skidmore's pat on back communique from the 'fatigue forum(s)'.
Bureaucracy unlimited, huge pay packets, lifestyle, ego and power might explain life on another planet. Meanwhile not a real reform in sight, fiddling with unworkable regs and granting exemptions is not reform, the situation is out of control.
Reform will not be simply returning to old regimes, the industry must demand policies to advance GA in growth, the need is immediate and urgent.
Independent instructors and LAMES like USA, moratorium on compulsory SIDs, car type PPL medicals like sport category. Change to the Act to include industry health.
Last edited by Sandy Reith; 28th Nov 2015 at 01:55.
Reason: More info the original CASA brief before they removed the offending section