The Australian Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee are due to release its report on March 17, 2022, having been allowed an extension from the original due date of November 30, 2021. This report will conclude a multi-year inquiry into the current state of Australia’s general aviation industry.

The inquiry has given particular attention to aviation in rural, regional, and remote Australia, considering the operations, effectiveness and impact of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as well as other similar agencies, such as the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

CASA and ATSB Under Scrutiny

For many years, CASA has been at the receiving end of much criticism from Australia’s aviation sector, with notable complaints toward its safety regulations as being excessive and leading to increasingly expensive costs that plague the industry. According to the Senate Committee website, the report will address the committee’s view of the effect CASA’s aviation safety framework is having on the Australian GA industry, including whether the regulations are fit for purpose, as well as the economic impacts on the sector.

The ATSB has also been receiving heavy criticism for perceived unfairness and biased outcomes.  Its investigation into the South Australia June 2017 fatal accident involving a charity Angel Flight SOCATA TB-10 Tobago was labeled “demonstrably wrong” by Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani after its report claimed that charity flights from the organization were up to seven times more likely to end in a fatality as compared to other private operators.

Ms. Pagani defended the charity stating “we had three experts look at this — two of Australia’s top statisticians and an analyst — all of who conclude that it is grossly, demonstrably wrong,” adding “they have counted less than half our flights in order to arrive at this statistical conclusion.”

The ATSB admitted to not interviewing any Australian pilots who have flown for Angel Flight, despite suggesting organizational pressure on pilots contributed to the accident. It relied solely on information obtained from the United States despite the differences in both regulations and operations of Angel Flight.

Australian Industry Disappointed with CASA

In Nov. 2020, a five hour public hearing on the state of Australian GA heard evidence from nine groups, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Australia, which portrayed CASA as failing to keep aviation in Australia safer than countries with simpler safety systems, such as the United States and Papua New Guinea, despite the heavy and complex regulations of CASA.

Additionally, during the same hearing, it was alleged that CASA’s liaison with the industry amounted to little more than show, with Phil Hurst, CEO of the Australian Aerial Application Association (AAAA) claiming the consultation process with CASA as an “appalling window-dressing”, adding “the consultation consists of CASA telling you what they’ve decided and then you trying to talk them down off the high building.”

An interim report released on December 10, 2020, released no comment on the inquiry, stating that due to the COVID-19 pandemic “the inquiry has not progressed as far as the committee had intended. The committee, therefore, submits this letter to satisfy the committee’s commitment to reporting back to the Senate”.

It is hoped by many in the industry that the final report, if not further delayed, will finally address the perceived shortcomings of CASA and begin a process of simplifying regulations, reducing maintenance and safety-related costs, thus making it easier for aviation in Australia to grow.

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Mike Mangano

Mike’s love affair with flight and mechanical objects in the sky began at an early age, fascinated by space documentaries and the vintage Flight Simulator ’95. He currently works as an instructor for UAVs and is training to receive his Private Pilot Licence with the goal of working in manned flight instruction. An avid reader of all things aviation and manned space flight, Mike stays close to developments in aerospace while reminiscing and sharing the rich history of flight with others. He loves writing, engineering and science.

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