– Steve Hitchen
LMH returns this week after a short lay-off. Since mid May, the website and newsletter have been in the custody of Kreisha Ballantyne, who did a sterling job of keeping us all up-to-date with the latest news from the world of general aviation. Thanks, Kreisha; you did a great job.
And now, straight back into it.
I am eagerly awaiting the next round of consultation documents on Part 67 (medicals). CASA has been promising what they have labeled Class 5, which is effectively a self-declared standard similar to that employed by RAAus. That means PPLs no longer need to go to DAMEs for a medical check every two or five years. But like everything aviation, it's not that simple. CASA has a bit of a perplexing issue to sort: access to CTA. A medical certificate of at least Class 2 has long been required for pilots to access controlled airspace, which is the main reason why Recreational Pilot Certificate (RPC) holders aren't permitted into CTA without obtaining an exemption ... that and the fact they've never been trained. RAAus is now pushing hard for its members to be allowed in CTA, without medicals, and they're pretty darned confident they'll get it. So will that privilege also be extended to PPLs who hold only the forth-coming Class 5? In the UK they have the Pilot Declared Medical (PMD) and in the USA BasicMed. Neither of these standards prevent holders from flying in CTA, and with the FAA recently issuing a report saying that BasicMed has had no impact on accident risks, it would seem that demanding medicals for CTA has been reduced to the status of a shibboleth. But that's my thinking, not CASA's. For that we will need to tap our toes for a bit longer until the Part 67 consultation papers arrive.
There seems to be much ado about something up in the Torres Strait, but bent facts are getting in the way of finding out exactly what that is. Here's what we know. CASA has stopped Skytrans from operating their RPT C208s into some island airstrips because runway safety factors can't be met. Senator Susan McDonald has asked in the chamber why CASA has closed the airports when those island communities desperately need the services. Some take-aways: this applies only to Cessna Caravans, not other types, and it applies only to RPT operations, not charter and not private ops. There are no "airport closures" as the aviation community understands that. It is also apparent that even Caravans can operate RPT into the impacted airports, just not at landing weights that make the service economically viable. CASA has dug in their heels and stated they won't compromise on the safety factors, but are working with Skytrans to see what can be done to restore the Caravan services. So am I wrong in saying this is not an airport issue, but rather an aeroplane issue? Cessna didn't design the Caravan as a specialist STOL aircraft, and at max weight has a reputation as being a bit of a runway hog. Other aircraft such as C206s and BN-2 Islanders can and do use those airports with aplomb, but the economics don't always stack up against C208 ops. I reckon what's needed is a turbine that is smaller and more economical to run than a Caravan, but will haul more than a C206. Where have I heard that before? Ah, yes, the GippsAero GA10. Except that it was nobbled badly by Mahindra, this machine would have been an ideal candidate for short haul RPT where runway safety factors are an issue. Alas, there is no GA10 (at the moment), so another solution will need to be crafted.
Aviation can take you to all sorts of remote places that can put you well out of reach of civilisation. But that doesn't mean you have to be out of touch. With a satellite communicator like Garmin's InReach Mini 2 you don't have to be out there on your own no matter where you find yourself. The best way to get your hands on one of those is via the May-June 2023 FlightStore competition. Australian Flying and FlightStore are giving away an InReach Mini 2 to one lucky reader. To enter this competition, all you need to do is fill out your contact details and answer one very easy question and an InReach Mini 2 could be yours. We're taking entries until 11:59 on 30 June, so there's time for you yet! Enter via the Australian Flying website.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch