Proposal to develop a tailored set of maintenance regulations for general aviation - (DP 1809SS)

Response 373037047

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Personal information

Last name?

Last name (Required)
Healy

Issues and opportunities

1. In regard to general aviation, have you experienced issues and/or challenges in any of the following areas? (Select all that apply).

Please select all that apply
Ticked Maintenance organisation requirements
Ticked Independent licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) privileges
Ticked Generic inspection schedule
Maintenance certifications
Maintenance release
Pilot maintenance
Maintenance records and logbook requirements
Modifications and repairs
Other

2. What kind of issues and/or challenges are you currently experiencing in regard to general aviation, and how have they impacted you?

Comments
I am a LAME and have undergone a lot of training, study and experience to get to the point of being able to sign for aircraft maintenance. The current system is extremely expensive for GA aircraft owners to get maintenance and a lot of the costs are uneccessary. For instance why should a LAME require a hangar and all the CASA stipulated equipment to carry out a 100 hrly on a very simple aircraft . I have worked in the airlines also and have changed engines in the rain on very complex aircraft working out of the back of a small van. As a LAME I believe I have enough training and experience to carry out aircraft maintenance on a tarmac without needing a certified hangar as is the case in the US and should I do something wrong I for sure would be penalised . A move toward the European systems will be further blow to GA. We should be more aligned with the US . More complex work such as a spar replacement should of course require a certified hangar but why can’t there be mobile LAMEs in Australia. This would save GA operators a lot of money. Be realistic GA aircraft are very simple machines. And regulate it through penalising heavily the people who are doing the wrong thing.

3. Can you think of any opportunities that would improve our regulatory system for general aviation maintenance? For example, ways to reduce costs and red tape while maintaining a high safety standard. Please provide detail.

Comments
Reduce costs by getting rid of SIDS making them optional , our planes in general are in very good condition unless the aircraft is based in northern humid environments. Allow mobile LAMEs to do servicing and repairs in the field out of their work vehicle and not force them to own a hangar and an unreasonable amount of tooling. Most companies work out in the field anyway on breakdowns there should be some trust put in the LAME and all the exams, training and experience they have.

Benefits and limitations of international models

1. United States – FAA

a) What would you see as the main benefits in adopting the United States’ model for regulating general aviation maintenance? Please detail.
Please do align us with the US keep away from Europe, they are an inefficient group of people not so focused on progression .
b) What could be some potential limitations if Australia adopted the United States’ model for regulating general aviation maintenance? Please detail.
Adopt the US system perhaps have a LAME inspect every 2 years if aircraft is pilot maintained or before aircraft sale .

2. New Zealand – CAA

a) What would you see as the main benefits in adopting the New Zealand model for regulating general aviation maintenance? Please detail.
Better than ours but not as good as US

3. Europe

a) What would you see as the main benefits in adopting the European model for regulating general aviation maintenance? Please detail.
Keep away from Europe

4. Canada

a) What would you see as the main benefits in adopting the Canadian model for regulating general aviation maintenance? Please detail.
Probably better than our system

International regulations

Have you worked in general aviation maintenance under the rules of any of the international models mentioned in this consultation (i.e. United States, New Zealand, Europe or Canada)?

Have you worked in general aviation maintenance under the rules of any of the international models mentioned in this consultation?
Please select one item
(Required)
Yes
Ticked No

Final Comments

Do you have any further comments or feedback?

Comments
Please avoid all the current red tape it’s killing the industry

Final question to assist analysis

Which of the following best describes your current primary role in the aviation sector? (please select one)

Please select one item
(Required)
Aerial work
Private flying
Business aviation
Sport aviation (including self-administered organisations)
Flight training (including recreational, private and commercial pilot training organisations, and multi-crew training organisations)
Recreational pilot/private pilot
Maintenance authority
Aircraft design/engineering/building
Maintenance organisation
Maintenance training organisation
Ticked Licensed aircraft maintenance engineer
Aircraft maintenance engineer
Consultant & other professional services
Chief engineer
Government organisation
Safety manager
CASA officer
Other (Specify)