CASA has published the closure report of the Part 61 Solutions Taskforce, which was set up to deal with the industry problems arising from the Part 61, 64, 141 and 142 regulations.
The taskforce of 34 people operated from November 2015 to September 2016, and tackled over 100 issues identified by the aviation industry, not all of which were resolved when the taskforce wrapped up.
Yesterday's closure report–dated December 2016–details the taskforce operations, issues to be dealt with and advisory panels set up to help with solutions.
The report highlights the taskforce as a new way of working for CASA, especially its co-operation with the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) that helped set the work priorities.
"Over 11 months, CASA has worked closely with IAP members to prioritise issues and find ways of making the transition to the new rules easier for the aviation community," the report states.
"The Taskforce was a new way of working that CASA had not previously used. It represented a tangible example of the power of collaboration and cross-functional cooperation to achieve a common corporate objective.
"The Taskforce’s collaborative approach in the prioritisation of issues requiring resolution and the formulation, drafting and implementation of policy solutions made it significantly different to CASA’s regulatory development consultation process.
Feedback from IAP members highlighted to CASA that the strong focus on consultation and collaboration was a major factor in the taskforce’s success.
The IAP went on to make eight recommendations for future regulatory change, saying that CASA should:
- consider more effective methods for its stakeholder engagement and consultation approach and work with the aviation community to find better ways to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of consultations
- take more time to develop the regulations (including a consultation process). The focus should be on getting it right rather than meeting targeted deadlines
- make regulations achievable with the provision of clear pathways
- develop regulations in plain language or, at the very least, the provision of plain language explanatory and advisory material
- engage with the aviation community in the implementation planning for future regulatory change.
- should take into consideration the human factor ramifications in implementation programs
- engage CASA’s Certificate Management Teams much earlier in the process
- leverage from established communication channels between CASA inspectors and the certificate holders and their key personnel.
The report also states that the taskforce leant quite a few lessons working with the IAP, leading it to make a series of recommendations for future work.
"Based on its experience and the lessons identified in the last 11 months, the Taskforce recommends the following methods of implementation for future regulatory changes:
- Conduct a review of CASA’s stakeholder engagement approach during the regulation development and implementation phases
- A model of collaboration and cross functional cooperation within CASA and with the aviation community
- The establishment of suitable, flexible teams to work on preparation activities
- In consultation with the aviation community establish a clear delivery framework right from the beginning, including the methodology and implementation approach
- Developing guidance material and acceptable means of compliance prior to implementation of regulations
- The development of guidance, resources and tools as solutions packages and the provision of training for all affected CASA staff and the establishment of an inspector helpline prior to the implementation of the regulations.
- Adoption of similar online applications delivered by the Taskforce – an online forum to facilitate aviation community/CASA staff consultation; an enquiries management tool to track and monitor industry enquiries; a knowledge base tool to help CASA staff answer enquiries; an issues register and a continuous improvement process as part of both the development and implementation phases."
Read the complete Part 61 Taskforce Closure Report on the link below. Part 61 Taskforce Closure Report