Week in brief March 2 2012

CASA is once reminding pilots of the benefits and importance of getting along to one of its many AvSafety seminars. CASA has already slated 50 seminars to take place around the country the first half of 2012. This month seminars will take place in regional towns and cities in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. In 2012 the seminars will mainly focus on two key topics - human factors in aviation, and aviation resources on the internet. The human factors presentation and discussion explains how an understanding of human performance is important to the safety of all aspects of aviation operations. It is based on CASA's publication Safety Behaviours - Human Factors for Pilots. During the presentation on aviation resources on the internet, there will be a focus on where to find the official information pilots need. A step through of web sites including CASA, Airservices Australia, Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be undertaken and detailed explanations will be provided on how to find training materials, information, advice and regulations, as well as how to lodge reports and forms. The importance of the new focus on web-based resources for pilots was highlighted by one of our readers who recently explained how difficult it was to find what he was looking for on the newly redesigned CASA website. To book your place at the closest AvSafety seminar near you, click here.


AirServices Australia is making a significant upgrade to the NDB at Bankstown Airport, commencing May 20. The upgrade is expected to take six weeks to complete; during that period the NDB will not be operational. If this will affect you, keep an eye out for the relevant NOTAM in due course. And while we’re on YSBK, a NOTAM is currently in place regrading Flying Fox activity in the vicinity of the airport. This stems from a recent which caused substantial damage to an aircraft whilst on final approach. We’ve heard of bird strikes, but flying fox strikes? That’s bats!


CASA is introducing changes to how we process payment for pilot medical certificates as of Monday March 19. CASA will no longer accept payments over the telephone for medicals. Instead, pilots will need to complete a payment slip, which will be attached to the medical application form. The documentation can then be lodged by email, fax or mail. Payment can be made by credit card or cheque. DAMEs will give pilots the payment slip, along with the application form. The payment slip will need to be sent to one of these addresses:
F: 02 6217 1640; E: avmed@casa.gov.au; or snail mail: Aviation Medicine, CASA, GPO Box 1544, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.


The Royal Aeronautical Society is inviting nominations for its 2012 medals and awards, which are described as "the most prestigious and long-standing in global aerospace, honouring achievements, innovation and excellence". For more information and nomination forms click here.