CASA is launching a major safety education and training campaign to ensure Australia’s aviation industry is ready for a package of changes to flying operations at a range of aerodromes.
From 3 June 2010 changes will be made to procedures at aerodromes currently designated as non-towered, Class D and General Aviation Aerodrome Procedures (GAAP). Pilots, flying schools and other members of the aviation industry need to ensure they fully understand the new procedures.
Formal aviation documentation including the new procedures will be published by CASA in late April and this will be supported by a communication campaign starting in early May. The campaign includes face-to-face workshops, online training, DVDs, brochures and information cards.
CASA is holding more than 60 workshops in capital city and regional locations to explain the changes and answer questions from pilots and other aviation industry personnel. These workshops begin in May and online bookings should be made now on the CASA website.
CASA’s Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, has emphasised the importance of all pilots attending a workshop and studying the online or other information.
“The changes being made to procedures at non-towered, Class D and GAAP aerodromes are not radical but they must be understood by all pilots,” McCormick said. “At non-towered aerodromes the changes relate to the carriage and use of radios, circuit procedures and maintaining separation.
“GAAP aerodromes will move to new Class D procedures and will no longer be known as GAAP. The new Class D procedures also apply to existing Class D aerodromes. These new procedures align with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and United States Federal Aviation Administration Class D procedures.
“Changes have been made after careful assessment and comparison to reduce risks to the safety of air operations. I urge all pilots and everyone else affected by these changes to get to a workshop, do the online training, watch the DVDs and read the brochures.”
The air traffic control tower at Moorabbin Airport.
