CASA Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore has called for mutual respect to be shown by both the regulator's staff and members of the aviation community.
In his CASA Briefing Newsletter for January 2016, Skidmore noted the sometimes vitriolic relationship between CASA staff and operators and pilots.
" ... we need people and organisations that have problems and concerns to work with us towards a common understanding of the issues and to find workable solutions," Skidmore said.
"In other words, there needs to be a culture of mutual respect between the aviation community and CASA. Too often in the past some CASA people and some members of the aviation community have taken a defensive or ideological approach to matters on which reasonable people can and will differ.
"Trading hostile and provocative barbs across a barren space benefits no one, and certainly does little to advance our shared interests in aviation safety. Let’s all agree to take a mature and professional approach in what can and should be a concerted effort to achieve better relations and better outcomes."
Skidmore also acknowledged that respect had to be earned, linking it to CASA's obligations to implement the reforms demanded under the Aviation Safety Regulation Review.
"I have already seen feedback from people who are experiencing a real and positive change in the way CASA is working and in how our people are interacting with the aviation community. I will work tirelessly to ensure this kind of improvement continues and is maintained."
The full text of the CASA Briefing Newsletter is on the CASA website.