The Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) is concerned that new Part 61 regulations will make it hard for some operators to remain in the industry.
AHIA President Peter Crook said the deadline for comments on the Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR) was too close to the date Part 61 becomes effective.
“Although we are only a small segment of the aviation industry; we are facing enormous changes to ensure compliance with future rules now being developed by CASA," he said.
"The two main areas of immediate concern are training and passenger carrying activities. Some operators will have to re-equip their flight lines with modified or new machines to remain in the marketplace.
"The release of the ASRR by the Deputy Prime Minister is only the beginning of an anticipated long and slow process; comments from industry on the ASRR are due 30 June ’14.
"One problem were are monitoring closely is the new training regulations which come into force only four weeks after public comment on the ASRR finishes. The time lines for ‘soon to be implemented’ controversial new rules must be urgently reviewed to prevent further costly preparations in the face of a broader re-look at the unpopular regulatory reform process”.
Part 61 rules were initially due to commence on 4 December last year, but were delayed until 1 September this year because, according to CASA, the industry wasn't prepared.
In reality, it was CASA that was not prepared, a situation that was noted in the ASRR.