Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Mark Binskin has been re-appointed as Chair of the CASA board for another three years, the Federal Government announced yesterday.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts Catherine King said Binskin brought considerable experience to the CASA board, and has been hands-on when it comes to the regulator.
"During his time already served as CASA Board Chair, ACM Binskin has focused on implementing the Statement of Expectations issued last year, revamping the board for better performance and improving CASA’s technical capability," King said.
"These skills and his leadership experience will continue to be valuable in his reappointment as Chair of the CASA Board.
"His qualifications and experience will continue to help shape and govern CASA as it navigates future opportunities and challenges."
Binskin, a former Chief of the Defence Force, was appointed three years ago after the departure of Tony Mathews from the role. His appointment coincided with the arrival of Pip Spence as Director of Aviation Safety and CEO.
"Under Mark Binskin's leadership, I've never seen a CASA board so actively engaged in trying to understand what industry is going through and so committed to providing transparency to industry on the matters it considers," Spence told Australian Flying recently.
"And we're lucky to have a Chair that understands how the GA industry operates and the stresses they are facing."
Binksin began his defence career in the Royal Australian Navy as a Skyhawk pilot and was qualified on Mirages via an exchange with the air force.
After the Navy disbanded its fixed-wing capability, he transferred to the RAAF full time, later serving as CO 77 SQN at Williamtown and Air Commander Australia. Binskin also held senior command positions during operations in Iraq.
Currently, he is a member of the Temora Historic Flight Club and regularly flies the English Electric Canberra on behalf of 100 SQN RAAF at displays and air shows.
He currently owns three GA aircraft: A Cessna Birddog, a C182T and an amateur-built F1 Rocket.