Mike (and others)
I believe there has been a change in CASA probably commenced by the now Director John McCormick. While fundamentally I believe there has been little change in the basic intent of the legislation (although there has been some) that we operate under, there has been an attention to "burden of proof" (for want of a better term) that the GFA can administer its segment of aviation. It is the administrative process that CASA is concentrating on in order to "assure" itself that the GFA can administer the sport. Personally I can see little in the administration process that directly impacts, for example, safety, but, from CASA's point of view, the existence of these systems and processes is evidence to them that the administration function is being carried out appropriately. One of the focuses of the GFA Safety Seminars is to explain and describe the administrative changes that the GFA has had to implement to assure CASA of our administrative capabilities. Individual pilots would gain an understanding of why some of these changes are being implemented and other changes that will affect how we fly today and continuing ability to fly in the future. Below is an extract from the "Sport Aviation Self-Administration Handbook 2010", page 2 under Introduction: http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/pilots/download/sport.pdf The acronym RAAO stands for Recreational Aviation Administration Organisation - for us this means GFA I have highlighted what I think are the significant portions and the language that CASA is using to make its point. I think there is also a change (more emphasis) in the "oversighting" of activities. What is self-administration? The differences within sport aviation activities have led to the existence of special oversight rules within Australian aviation legislation. Australian sport aviation operates under self-administration. This means that CASA sets the regulations and then works in close cooperation with the RAAOs, to make sure the regulations are applied and enforced. The RAAOs provide CASA with specialist knowledge and insight into the sport aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 were not intended to regulate this class of aircraft or activities. Currently, RAAOs overseeing these activities do so under exemptions and delegations. This set of rules allows specialised craft such as balloons and aircraft that don't meet certification standards to operate through a series of exemptions from the regulations applying to broader aviation activities. These exemptions are conditional. The main condition is that if participants want to undertake one of the exempted activities they have to belong to a specified organisation. Without full membership people are not legally allowed to take part in these activities. The organisations exist to oversee members' activities and assure CASA that activities are being conducted safely. CASA needs to be fully confident that RAAOs have the capacity to provide the safety outcomes required. If organisations can't assure CASA of this, then CASA can't allow the organisation to continue to administer its activities under the exemption. Without the exemption, the activities allowed by it can't occur. That is, if the organisation doesn't assure CASA that it is meeting safety outcomes and oversighting activities, people wanting to fly under the exemption can't. Without the exemption then, people wanting to fly need to meet the regulations that apply to other aviation activities. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Borgelt Sent: Thursday, 12 August 2010 11:10 AM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] GFA Safety Seminar - VSA Region - last opportunity At 12:25 PM 11/08/2010, you wrote: > Of specific interest is the new CASA imperatives and how they > affect our flying and continuing ability to fly in the future. I guess CASA could require gliders to be certified, have a C of A, a C of R and a maintenance release.... oh wait! Mike Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments since 1978 phone Int'l + 61 746 355784 fax Int'l + 61 746 358796 cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784 email: [email protected] website: www.borgeltinstruments.com _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3065 - Release Date: 08/12/10 04:34:00
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