Out-going Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore has said he believes industry co-operation is the key to a better relationship with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Skidmore made the remarks in his final CASA Briefing Newsletter released yesterday.
"There are many great people across the aviation community with a strong commitment to aviation safety who have deep knowledge and expertise in aviation operations," he said.
"It was a priority of mine from day one to seek out these people and listen to their views and ideas to enrich our approach to aviation safety regulation and drive further improvements in the safety system.
"I put a lot of effort into making it clear CASA is not the sole source of expertise on aviation safety and collaboration with the aviation community is essential. I believe many of the changes I have driven at CASA will embed this collaborative and co-operative approach in the years ahead as the relationship between the regulator and the aviation community matures and strengthens."
Skidmore, who officially started as DAS in January 2015, resigned in late August after only 20 months in the role. During that time, he made many changes including the structure of the regulator and establishing the Part 61 Taskforce. He did fail, however, to get the aviation community completely on-side, due partly to his stands on the ADS-B mandate and resistance to adopting regulations more in-line with those of the USA and New Zealand.
" ... there will always be points of tension between the regulator and the regulated," Skidmore said in his newsletter. "This is normal and a sign of a healthy relationship.
"As the safety relationship matures we all need to recognise these points of tension and work to address our differences in a positive way. Genuinely listening to each other is critical and sometimes both sides will have to accept there is no magical middle solution that satisfies everyone.
"What CASA and the aviation community must strive for are the right safety outcomes, reached through proper processes, real consultation and transparent decision making. We then must all respect the decisions that are taken in the best interests of the safety of the aviation and wider communities."
Skidmore is currently in the process of handing the reins of CASA to Acting Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, who will take over the role next month whilst the CASA board searches for a new DAS.
The full text of the September 2016 CASA Briefing Newsletter is available on the CASA website.