Comment on Firearm Safety Recommended Practice

The good folk over at the Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (AAWHG) have released their first Recommended Practice. It's still in draft form and comments are welcome. First off the block is a draft RP 3.2.1 - Firearm Safety. The document outlines a range of "shoulds" and is a great start, if not an end, for airport operators to get their own processes and procedures up to an industry standard - perhaps even, best practice.

I applaud the AAWHG for going down this route. Industry standards are a great way for us to lift our own performance in a cooperative, intelligent and context-driven way. I can't wait to see more RPs from the AAWHG and perhaps some more from other industry groups.

If you want to comment on RP 3.2.1, you have until the 16th September to send them through to rp@aawhg.org.

HazMat AC Comments Close Soon

Here's a friendly reminder that comments on the recently resealed draft advisory circular regarding hazardous materials handling must be in by 3 October 2011. Submissions to Matt Windebank by then will be duly regarded - after that date, not so much.

Draft AC 139 - HazMat Handling - Open for Comment

Here is another chance to have your say - this time it's a revision of the old CAAP 89I-1(2) to match the more modern CASR Part 139 and associated advisory circular format. Draft AC 139-12(0) - Handling of Hazardous Materials on an Aerodrome "provides guidance to Aerodrome Operators on aerodrome administration andoperating procedures for the handling of hazardous materials on the aerodrome" as required by CASR 139.095.

Send your comments to Matt Windebank by 3 October 2011.

New Advisory Circular - Aerodrome Staff Training

A reformatted and revised CAAP 89C-1 has been released under the current regulatory regime as AC 139-13(0) - Training of Aerodrome Reporting Officers & Works Safety Officers. Overall, the new AC outlines CASA expectations with respect to aerodrome staff training with nationally-recognised training featuring heavily. While Registered Training Organisations were included in previous advisory material, this material was published prior to the development of the Aviation Training Package (AVI08). This package supersedes the Australian Airport's Association's competency standards - although these are still available on the CASA website.

What's New

There are some new recommendations to be found inside the AC. Training should take at least five days and students with no prior experience should undertake an extra two days of practical field experience. Plus refresher training should be conducted at least every five years although two is recommended.

More to Come

There are quite a few active aerodrome regulatory projects in progress - stay tuned for more releases.

New Advisory Circular - Wildlife Hazard Management

After a great deal of hard work by a dedicated aerodrome inspector (not me) - CASA has just released an advisory circular on Wildlife Hazard Management at Aerodromes.

Reminder - Draft AC Comments Closing Soon

Remember your comments on the Draft AC 139-13(0) Training of Aerodrome Reporting Officers and Works Safety Officers closes on 3 June 2011. Send them into Matt Windebank by Friday.

Draft AC Open for Comment

Draft AC 139-13(0) Training of Aerodrome Reporting Officers and Works Safety Officers was released for comment today. Submissions to Matt Windebank by the 3^rd June 2011.