By a co-operative partnership with CASA, the AHIA and other industry members, CASA is moving forward with legislative changes to streamline regulatory provisions as a result of the post-implementation review of part 61.

AHIA President Peter Crook see this as a positive step closer to the industry contributing at a high level to legislative content for the betterment of the Aviation industry.

Communication between CASA and the AHIA representatives has improved considerably following a landmark meeting held in Sydney  on Wednesday 6 May 2015 attended by the DAS Mark Skidmore and his senior Flight Standards and Flight Crew Licensing Management Team, AHIA President Peter Crook and AHIA Lead Part 61 Review Team member, Ray Cronin.

With other significant amendments in the pipe line these actions demonstrate industry input is now being taken seriously and it adds faith to those who want to contribute but may feel held back by the frustrations of the previous environment.

Positive gains have been made in the following areas:

Low level  recency and flight review requirements extended to 24 months.

Sling, Winch and Rappel endorsement certifications and flight review requirements.

Expansion of the 61.040 approvals for flight testing and flight reviews to include a broader spectrum of approved persons and instructor qualifications to place specialist operational assessments within the upper level experience for each activity.

Student pilot recency requirements have been relaxed from 15 days to 30.

Other issues receiving high priority are:

A pathway to allow an Australian ATPL(H) to be obtained.

Amendments to the Part 61 MoS.

The transition requirements for the issue of a firefighting endorsement for those who have previously been active in those operations.

The development of a multi-engine class rating for helicopters.

The input to the development of CASR Part 138 – Draft document now available for scrutiny via the joint CASA/Industry Part 138 working group

Of importance is the appointment of Ray Cronin, AHIA Leader of Part 61 Review Team, to the Joint CASA/Industry SCC Flight Crew Licensing Sub-committee and Peter Crook, AHIA President, to the Aviation Industry Consultative Council.