[Kharon]

Drowning – not waving.

AMROBA : Some of the blame lies with an aviation Act that nobody wants to change because of the political situation in the Senate. Without doubt, CASA’s approach can be partially blamed on an ageing out of date Civil Aviation Act but CASA must also accept blame as it does not comply with the Act.

CASA has never promulgated "clear and concise civil aviation safety standards" under the Act because, in their mind, they would have trouble enforcing.

So they have created complicated and over regulated standards under the Regulations which have had the criminal code applied to the regulation.

There’s a very strong rumour floating about the place that Ken has been informed by ‘those who would know’ that there is not a cat in hells chance of the Act being changed.  Just isn’t going to happen.  This due the minister ignoring all calls for reform and taking the advice which best suits the powers that be.

We can’t know just yet just how much the Senators and the CASA board know about what is really occurring and happening, right now to industry; but there are some shockers coming down the pipeline which indicate a reversion to the stone age. Like:-

The regression to Australian design standards with quiet little amendments being quietly implemented.  Unique Australian mods which must be stripped out when the aircraft is returned (or sold) to an overseas operator.  Big bucks for CASA – approvals; bigger bucks for operators – modification on purchase – de modification for sale.

Unique Part B for the COM, serial number specific and a checklist to match – all need ‘acceptance’ or approval – more time and money.   This lunacy extends to the reissue of the AOC for each individual aircraft.  Buy two of the same aircraft; one with a lead acid battery and no ADF; the other with a Ni-cad and an ADF – two serial number specific Part B’s, two serial number specific checklists, then add the acceptance costs and the time delay to revenue generation the overall costs.  Crazy.  Do not forget to add the cost of a proficiency in each individual aircraft, for each pilot, twice a year to the cost.  Madness.

There’s lots of other prime examples, lets just hope that Boyd and his board can get a rope on the runaway, before it’s just too late – anytime from now would be great.

Toot toot.