We sought industry feedback over the 2-week period 4-17 April 2022.
We are proposing to exempt operators and maintainers of Cessna aircraft in the broader private and aerial work sectors from the requirements to carry out Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents (SIDs).
Cessna SIDS are significant documents for managing continued airworthiness of ageing Cessna aircraft. The new instrument provides flexibility for registered operators of aircraft in the private and aerial work sectors to consider relevant SIDs and take appropriate action to maintain their aircraft. We encourage operators to continue to apply SIDs but recognise not all SIDs are necessary in all cases.
About this consultation
We received 30 responses. Most responses received were from aircraft owners/operators, pilots, maintainers and maintenance organisations. Three responses represented the view of type club, flying school or aero club. One response from design engineer Part 21.M and 1 response from IOA holder/CASA delegate. Four responses provided no comments for the free text question of "How will the proposed instrument work in practice?".
The consultation survey asked respondents their views on "How the proposed instrument will work in practice".
Fourteen responses were clearly in favour of the proposed exemption instrument. In the free text these were voiced as a blend of:
Ten responses indicated they are not in favour of the proposed instrument. Extracting from the free text responses these can be aggregated as a blend of:
Four responses provided no comments for the free text question and two responses provided comments that were unable to be as assessed as in favour or not in favour. Therefore, these six we are not able to gauge their submission as 'for' or 'against' the proposed exemption instrument.
Summary of feedback
The majority of respondents who commented were in favour of exempting private and aerial work operators from the current CASA mandate for Cessna SIDs compliance.
Comments were mixed, with the majority favouring the change but others raising concerns about safety and others observing it was 'too little, too late' or 'about time'.
Respondents also raised several important issues and concerns.
The common issues, questions or suggestions were:
Next steps
The consultation showed that there is the majority who are in favour of CASA relaxing the compliance rules around Cessna SID compliance for private and aerial work operations. Therefore, the exemption will be issued as consulted and will be in place by the end of April 2022.
This policy will bring forward corresponding outcomes from the proposed general aviation maintenance regulations (Part 43 of CASR). It brings us into line with global practices and only the specific SIDs elements required by an airworthiness directive will be mandatory.
Under Part 43 of CASR aircraft will be inspected at regular intervals and if action is needed, we will require it to be taken.
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
We are proposing to exempt operators and maintainers of Cessna aircraft in the broader private and aerial work sectors from the requirements to carry out Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents (SIDs).
The exemption will be in place by the end of April 2022.
This will bring forward corresponding outcomes from the proposed general aviation maintenance regulations (Part 43). It brings us into line with global practices and only the specific SIDs elements required by an airworthiness directive will be mandatory.
Under Part 43, aircraft will be inspected at regular intervals and if action is needed, we will require it to be taken.
The proposed instrument would also maintain the intent of the previous instrument (CASA EX67/21) for aircraft in the non-scheduled air transport sector (previously charter) – originally issued as a targeted relief measure for specific SIDs.
SIDS are significant documents for managing continued airworthiness of ageing Cessna aircraft. The new instrument provides flexibility for registered operators of aircraft in the private and aerial work sectors to consider relevant SIDs and take appropriate action to maintain their aircraft. We encourage operators to continue to apply SIDs but recognise not all SIDs are necessary in all cases.
If you would like to provide comment on the advanced copy of the proposed instrument CASA EX32/22 – Cessna Aircraft (Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents Requirements) Exemption 2022 you can do so through the online response form.
We want to ensure that it and the additional guidance provided in AWB 02-048 Issue 8: Compliance with Cessna Supplemental Inspection Documents clearly articulates who the instrument will apply to and how it will work in practice.
All relevant documentation are attached in the ‘related’ section at the bottom of the page.
At the end of the response period, we will:
All comments received on the proposed instrument will be considered. Relevant feedback that improves upon the proposed instrumentsand amendments to the AWB will be incorporated into the final instrument and AWB.
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