FLIGHT

The HAA, formed in 1984, collapsed largely
because of a change in its business model,
with the association employing salaried staff,
and the global financial crisis. But with the
realisation the growing sector needed a body
to tackle a number of “pressure points obstructing
development”, says Rich, the AHIA
was set up to tackle skills shortages and training
and regulatory issues.
“Agencies such as CASA need
our help when planning to
regulate new technology”
ROB RICH
Founder, Australian Helicopter Industry Association
Skills shortages are particularly apparent in
instruction and maintenance, says AHIA inaugural
president and former Bell Helicopter
sales executive Peter Crook. The lack of instructors
is set to worsen, particularly with the
new Australian army and navy pilot training
programme – the Helicopter Aircrew Training
System – likely to draw on limited instructor
resources. A growing multi-engined fleet is
also likely to impact the skills shortages in engineering
fields, particularly licensed aircraft
maintenance engineers.
The helicopter sector also needs to be part of
regulatory changes and the AHIA aims to be
the sector’s voice and ensure regulations are
right for the local industry. “Agencies such as
CASA need our help when planning to regulate
new technology heading our way,” says
Rich. He points out there are about half a dozen
notices of proposed rulemaking which will impact
charter operations, crew rostering, performance
standards and helideck standards.
The AHIA aims to promote the local helicopter
industry by working with governments,
regulatory bodies and the community
to ensure it is a safe, efficient and viable industry
able to meet the needs of customers by
pursuing global best practice, says Rich.
CASA says there have been “notable improvements”
in helicopter safety during the
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past decade, but Australian Transport Safety
Bureau statistics show that, while accounting
for about 13% of the Australian civil
fleet, helicopters were involved in 36% of all
general aviation accidents in the past 10
years. Among the AHIA’s objectives are: promoting
safe helicopter operations; establishing
an open productive working relationship
with CASA; developing an exchange of information
among helicopter owners, users,
operators, pilots, engineers and support industries;
making representations to governments
at all levels; establishing an exchange
of information with other associations; and
promoting new helicopter services to the
public. The association also aims to promote
its capabilities to the wider international
community, particularly countries in the
Asia-Pacific region, where helicopter numbers
are increasing.
ROTORTECH CONFERENCE
Participation at the Avalon show will help it
achieve this. The AHIA, thanks to sponsorship
from Avalon organisers Aerospace Australia,
will hold a series of seminars and conferences
at the show to promote the local
helicopter industry.
The association will also hold a Rotortech
2013 conference at Sydney’s Darling Harbour
in October, focusing on helicopter marine
pilot transfer and offshore resource industry
activity, running alongside the Pacific International
Maritime Exposition. “This is a wonderful
opportunity to promote ourselves as
best we can,” says Rich.
Changes in the industry and technology mean
the AHIA will have a wider remit than the HAA,
which primarily represented pilots. Rich says:
“In the past, this suited the needs of an industry
then operating relatively unsophisticated rotorcraft,
where logistic and maintenance support
requirements were minimal. Today, more
expensive and technically advanced helicopters
are coming into service and the logistical and
technical support industry has developed substantially
due to the increasing number of civilian
and military heavy helicopters.” �
Heliwest
AUSTRALIA
SPECIAL REPORT
REGULATION
Air of
discontent
After decades of controversy, new
civil aviation regulations should
finally come into effect this year,
but not everyone is happy
EMMA KELLY PERTH
his year is set to be a particularly significant
Tone in the history of Australian civil aviation
regulations, with the country’s long-running
regulatory reform programme nearing a conclusion,
according to the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA). The completion of new safety
regulations, with comprehensive implementation
schedules developed for each part, should
go through in 2013 – or that is the plan at least.
Australia’s regulatory reform programme
has not been a happy tale, with the process
dating back more than 20 years. During that
time, it has been shrouded in controversy,
with industry concerns over delays and the
lack of consultation, harmonisation and simplification.
“While the need to reform Australia’s
aviation safety regulations is widely
supported, progress was often disrupted and
resources refocused on other activities,” says
CASA. The process has been put on hold numerous
times following “significant structural
and governance changes, changing circumstances,
and industry input and differing approaches
to reform”, it adds.
GAINING MOMENTUM
Since 2009, the programme has gained momentum,
with the government’s Aviation
White Paper released that year calling for the
reforms to be completed by 2011, with additional
resources provided to expedite the
drafting of new regulations, including the
creation of an aviation safety regulatory development
taskforce.
Obviously the 2011 target was not met, but
despite numerous promises, hurdles and false
starts, the authority believes the end is in sight.
“CASA remains particularly mindful that it
cannot ‘ram through’ these changes; the process
must take account of the capacity for industry
to take on these new standards and allow
for the legislative drafting and parliamentary
approval process. That said, CASA is dedicated
to maintaining its continued high level of
energy to see this process finalised,” it says.
Australia’s current Civil Aviation Regulations
are old and in some cases outdated, says CASA
director of aviation safety, John McCormick.
“Many were first drafted more than 30 years ago
and the origins of some go back even further. ���
19-25 February 2013 | Flight International | 39