CASA seeks comment on proposed flight training changes

CASA is seeking comment from flight training operators on a raft of proposed changes as part of CASR Part 141.

CASR Part 141 will prescribe the requirements and standards for issuing flight training operating certificates and general operating rules applicable to holder of an operating certificate. It will specify requirements and standards for flight training, including those relating to training facilities, aircraft, procedures, standards/manuals, and ersonnel/safety operations.

CASA says Part 141 will affect current and future flying training organisations; current and future flying instructors and pilot examiners; and individuals undertaking flying training for the issue of a licence, rating or other flight crew authorisation.

The key proposals of CASR Part 141 are:

- Replace the AOC requirement issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 for flight training schools with a flight training operating certificate (OC);
- Make an OC a requirement for training for all pilot licences and ratings, including aircraft ratings; training for other authorisations can be provided without an OC;
- AOC and OC holders will be required to have a Part 141 OC to do training for licences, ratings and some endorsements – they will have to meet the criteria and conditions for issue and continued holding; and
- A Manual of Standards (MOS) to clarify CASA’s requirements for the issue of OCs and conduct of operations including the requirement for safety management and fatigue management.

While Part 141 incorporates a number of changes, CASA says the impact on the flight training industry is not considered to be significant.

“CASA believes the most effective way of achieving safety in aircraft operations is to ensure pilots receive organised and structured competency based training conducted by qualified and competent instructors,” the regulator explains. “A regulatory framework is necessary to underpin Australia’s reputation as a high quality flight training industry.

“Part 141 of CASR 1998 sets out a simple organisational and operational framework that CASA believes is necessary for operators to conduct flight training, other than integrated flight training, in aircraft or flight simulation training devices (FSTD) for the grant of Recreational, Private and Commercial pilot licences, ratings and endorsements granted under Part 61.”

Part 141 has been subject to extensive previous industry/public consultation since 2003, and this new draft is now open for industry and public comment before it proceeds to
rulemaking and the NFRM. The closing date for comments is February 17, 2012; all comments can be directed to project leader Mike Juelg by emailing michael.juelg@casa.gov.au.

Click here to read the Briefing Document - Consultation Draft to CASR Part 141.

Click here to read the full Consultation Draft to CASR Part 141.