– Steve Hitchen
CASA's figures released this week show that the RPL/PPL community is embracing the Class 5 medical despite the limited operations that are permitted under the self-declaration scheme. This isn't surprising given the number of years GA has been pursuing a self-declared medical, but its not an indication that the war is won, only the biggest battle. A true victory can only be (self) declared once we can fly with virtually zero restrictions and no GP involvement. But is that a bridge too far for CASA? None of the UK, USA or NZ have true self-declared medical standards; their equivalents all involve some form of medical examination or intervention, even if at GP level only. When the Class 4 goes live sometime in 2025, that will be a more equivalent standard to those other national authorities. That means CASA is already one step beyond with Class 5 and, given they can deliver a no-DAME medical with fewer restrictions in the form of Class 4 anyway, may be reluctant to take the final stride. Right now we're waiting for the 12-month review due in February, but in the meantime I expect the Class 5 numbers to increase as more and more Class 2 medicals expire.
REX going into voluntary administration has rocked the regional aviation industry and the communities the airline served. As the largest regional airline in Australia, they actually carry quite a bit on their shoulders. And that is why the Federal Government will be very keen to see them stay in the air, with financial backing probably forthcoming soon. But in the past fortnight, both Sharp Airlines and the Regional Aviation Association of Australia have come out and–whilst applauding support for REX–reminded the minister that there are more regional players in the game, and they are not immune from the same financial termites that are threatening the foundations of REX. Regional aviation is a tough industry, but so vital in linking Australia's remote communities (and we have a lot of those) to larger centres, and those larger centres to the capitals. Government support is already in place with subsidies for some of the REX services, but that wasn't enough to keep REX on a solid footing. So what of the small connector airlines that are running piston twins on routes so thin you could see through them, and doing it without government hand-outs? They also serve and I am sure could use some support similar to that likely to be extended to REX. The RAAA's call for a broader focus is on the money, but I am concerned that if something of this nature was not already included the the ALP's aviation white paper, then it's too late now for it to find a place.
There has been a general opinion in GA circles that recreational access to Class C and D controlled airspace (C/D access) has been delayed because of a tie-up with CASR Part 103, which has also been a long time coming and isn't even on the horizon yet. That opinion had a solid basis in logic, Now, CASA is saying that the two are not connected, which means the logic for the project's delay also falls away. CASA's GA Workplan had the C/D access project due to be delivered by Q4 2023, and despite that passing months ago, there's no update. I believe CASA met with some of the Approved Self-administering Aviation Organisations (ASAO) is June to thrash out some things, so there is movement at the station. What I am failing to nail down is why the regulator is still consulting on something that they were confident they could deliver seven months or more ago. Personally, I expected the C/D access to drop in right on top of the Class 5 medical for GA. Class 5 showed that CASA had done enough work on the risk side to give C/D access to pilots without a medical examination, and I presumed that work could also be leveraged over to RPC holders as well. So are there other weevils in this flour? Training standards or aeroplane standards perhaps? Whatever the obstacles, they need to be cleared with haste; the recreational community has waited long enough.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch