CASA will soon release a package of discussion papers relating to the new CASR Part 145 maintenance regulations.
The new regulations have caused great consternation in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry through fears that rules designed for heavy commercial aircraft would be rolled-out across smaller MROs working on charter aircraft.
"This is the start of an extensive process of consultation with the aviation community about what the updated maintenance regulations for these sectors should look like," said CASA Director of Aviation Safety John McCormick in his monthy briefing.
"Everyone will be given plenty of time to read the discussion papers and send comment to CASA on the various options. While the discussion papers indicate CASA’s preferred options, nothing is locked in and all comments will be carefully considered before the regulatory development process moves forward."
Concerns over Part 145 has frustrated McCormick, who has constantly maintained that nothing is set in stone.
"I hope the publication of these discussion papers puts an end to the spurious claims that CASA is intending simply to extend the new maintenance regulations which have already been introduced for regular public transport operations to the charter, aerial work and private sectors," he said. "The content of the discussion papers will show that this is not the case."
The discussion papers are the first step in the process, and after submission are taken into consideration, a Notice of Proposed Rule Makiing (NPRM) will be released, enabling the industry to make further comments.