Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) board reported the independent review team studying the fatigue rules for operators and pilots in Australia confirmed the need to modernise the country's fatigue rules for air operators and pilots, under its final report delivered to the CASA in Mar-2018. The final report includes 24 recommendations to improve and implement the fatigue rules contained. Key recommendations include:
- Revising flight duty period limitations by adopting limits more closely aligned with international averages;
- Increasing the flexibility of the fatigue risk management system (FRMS) option to enhance scalability through additional risk-based tiers;
- Introducing a standardised approval process (other than an FRMS) to offer limited flexibility for operators to operate beyond the prescriptive limits with specific fatigue risk mitigation measures in place;
- Removing Part 137 aerial application operations from Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 48.1 or adopting limits from CASR Sub part 137.Q due to lower public risk exposures;
- A freeze on transition dates until changes flowing from the review are finalised in CAO 48.1 and material to support industry is ready;
- Allocating appropriate resources to plan a detailed, coordinated implementation for finalising the reform of CAO 48.1;
- A staggered approach to the next phase of change-addressing the highest risk areas first.
CASA will now proceed with industry engagement to help shape the next stage. The Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) is the primary advisory body through which CASA directs its engagement with industry. CASA anticipates the ASAP will establish a technical working group to help review industry input on implementing the review recommendations. Comments from the industry are required by 17-Apr-2018. [more - original PR]