The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 61 Solutions Taskforce is due to wrap up its work on 30 September, with a new version of the regulation due out before the end of the year.
The taskforce was set-up in November last year with the aim of resolving issues with the new licensing and training regulations: CASR Parts 61, 64, 141 and 142. Initially, there were 26 people assigned to sort out approximately 100 tasks identified that made the new regulations difficult for the training industry to comply with.
Priorities for the work were agreed between CASA and an industry advisory panel that included initially The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Aviation Business Association of Australia (ABAA) and the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs Australia (RFACA).
Over the nearly 10 months of operation, the taskforce dealt with many issues, including problems with flight reviews, aircraft ratings, Flight Examiner ratings, instrument proficiency checks, the cost of complying with Parts 141 and 142, and the manual of standards itself.
The result of the work was a litany of information sheets and exemptions designed to keep the industry functioning until the first major amendment post-implementation could be made.
Specific tasks completed so far include:
- releasing a sample operations manual and related guidance material for Part 141 flying training organisations
- releasing of a sample exposition and related guidance material for Part 142 flying training organisations
- releasing sample flying training syllabuses and training plans for several licences, ratings and endorsements
- introducing alternative ways for pilots to meet relaxed flight review and instrument proficiency check requirements
- introducing more flexible ways for pilots to meet multi-crew cooperation training requirements
- clarifying standards for multi-crew cooperation training in aeroplanes
- relaxing some ATPL flight test requirements
- changing the instrument rating and air transport pilot licence flight test standards
- creating a pathway for aerial agriculture rating holders to conduct firefighting operations
- creating a new three-year window for CPL and ATPL aeronautical knowledge examinations for people who have passed
- extening arrangements allowing CAO 82 check pilots to conduct operator proficiency checks
- deferring implementation of flight examiner rating proficiency check and professional development requirements
- publishing new guidance and communication materials covering topics such as integrated training for PPL and CPL, changes to the flight review and instrument proficiency check requirements and transition requirements for Part 141 and 142 flying training organisations.
The taskforce is due to present a final closure report for the industry advisory panel to endorse at a meeting sometime in October. CASA has said that issues outstanding after that date will be dealt with in the course of normal business.