CASA has issued new rules that mandate some training sequences to be done in simulators rather than in actual aircraft.
In response to an ATSB report covering two major accidents in 2007 and 2010, CASA has amended CAOs 40 and 82 to make it compulsory to train in sims noting “any non-normal exercise must not be performed in the actual aircraft.”
“Non-normal” has been defined as “an aircraft operation for flight crew training, checking or testing, which involves a simulated system failure of a kind that affects, or would be likely to affect, the flying performance or handling characteristics of the aircraft beyond the parameters of normal operation.”
Both the incidents that forced the changes were in Brasilia 120s, and both related to engine failure after take-off (EFATO) routines. The second incident at Darwin in 2010 cost the lives of both on board.
Training for endorsements and ratings must now be done in a qualified simulator if:
- for a multi-engine aeroplane with a passenger seating capacity of not less than 10, and not more than 19, seats—a qualified STD (synthetic training device) is available in Australia;
- for an aeroplane with a passenger seating capacity of not less than 20 seats—a qualified STD is available in Australia or a recognised foreign State; and
- for an aeroplane with a MTOW exceeding 8 618 kg—a qualified STD is available in Australia or a recognised foreign State.
The new rules become effective on April 1 2013. You can read the entire Notice of Final Rule Making (NFRM) on the CASA website.