AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

General stuff that gets thrown about when Helicopter Pilots shoot the Breeze.
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AUSTHIA
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AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby AUSTHIA » Thu Feb 23 2017, 23:22

To the helicopter Industry.

We note the unfortunate discontent with the AHIA on this forum caused by lack of communication and understanding of what work has been done by the Association for the industry.

We understand it is difficult to accept the time being taken to rectify the problems with Part 61. The AHIA as a volunteer group has been working for the good of the Industry. Peter Crook President and Ray Cronin Vice President, have been representing the Industry on committees and forums, at personal cost, such as The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF), Part 61 Solutions Task Force, Directors Advisory Panel (DAP), Aviation Industry Consultative Council (AICC) and others.

The meeting with the Acting Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, was an introductory meeting with no fixed agenda. It was an opportunity to discuss the focus areas for the AHIA for 2017 with general industry issues. A report was forwarded to all AHIA members subsequent to the meeting.

There is comment about the perceived lack of progress with Part 61. The Presidents Report to the 2016 AGM, forwarded to all members, outlined the activities undertaken and achievements made by the AHIA in 2016. The changes we have been able to make are substantial and will save the helicopter industry of millions of dollars per year. A brief summary is,

• Low Level proficiency checks now biennial, not yearly
• Low Level recency requirements - removed
• One single engine helicopter flight review only
• One twin engine helicopter flight review only
• One single engine IPC
• One twin engine IPC
• Part 141 School, 105 hours CPL(H) course reinstated
• Fire fighting endorsement requirement delayed 24 months to establish standardised course content
• Establishment of standardised helicopter ATPL(H) flight test

The AHIA was acknowledged as the most proactive Association in these regulatory changes. This was due to the perseverance of VP Ray Cronin in these negotiations and his continued communication with senior CASA personnel and various industry sector leaders.

During 2016, the AHIA executive identified an internal restructure was required to better represent the interests of the industry and to take the AHIA to a new level. This restructure together with the enormous workload presented by the regulatory reform participation has left a void in communication.

The restructure of the AHIA was formalised at the AGM, 25th November 2016, to which all members were invited. The following nominations were made,

• President………………………....…Peter Crook
• Vice President……………….…..…Ray Cronin
• Secretary/Treasurer……………….Bridgette Hasting
• Chairman Regulatory Reform….…Peter Howe

Peter Howe was the former Head of Operations/Chief Pilot for CHC. Peter brings extensive knowledge and experience on offshore operations as well as business and management qualifications and an in depth understanding of the Regulations.

On 16 February 2017, Myles Tomkins joined the AHIA Executive. Myles has a wealth of experience in the helicopter mustering and agricultural sectors. Myles will head up the Mustering and Agricultural Sub Committee and will assist VP Ray Cronin with helicopter training regulatory reform. A Media Release.

The group we have gathered has the necessary experience to represent the industry professionally. Systems have been put in place to ensure the continued financial integrity of the association. Our discussions with a number of organisations, including government departments, have indicated that a single representative of the helicopter industry is important. To be truly representative of our helicopter industry, we must be able to reach out to each company and pilot and have their support. It is our intention to conduct a membership recruiting drive in the near future to encourage all industry partners to join the AHIA. We hope you will support us.

The industry needs to be united and we would encourage industry participants to support the new AHIA and its dedicated volunteer executive.

The AHIA is currently negotiating with a potential long term sponsor. If successful we will have much improved communications through vastly increased Media, PR and administrative resources.

From your “posts”and our experience there are obvious problems in the industry. The AHIA has the means to communicate these issue with the relevant authority. As an example, last week we called for submissions from pilots who have experienced difficulty with AVMED, we have one month to provide a detailed submission.
At this stage we have only received two very good responses but surely the manner in which AVMED is working in isolation without respect for the welfare and well being of individuals rights to earn a living in aviation must be rectified. Please get in touch with us either by phone or email and tell us your story, we only get one chance at this important issue.

We are doing good things but we work under pressure with limited resources, we have taken every phone call from industry and responded to each issue. If you have the time and would like to be part of our team, please let us know.

We are working and achieving results for the Industry.

Peter Crook
President
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby godfather007 » Sat Feb 25 2017, 08:06

Thanks Peter and the team at AHIA.
Great work!!
There is always an option.
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby Bedouin Prince » Sun Feb 26 2017, 02:21

Hi Peter,

I do appreciate the hard and unthanked work you chaps are doing for the industry.

I do have a question relating to the work you have done regarding part 61.
In your post you mention the reinstatement of the 105 hour course for 141 schools as one of the substantial changes you have made. Like a lot of people the I view this as great news. Do you have any links or literature that can be viewed regarding this, as the current regs and flight test forms still state the 150 hour course, and with CASR 202.277A and B expiring on the 31 of August this year a lot of our clients are looking down the barrel of the 150 hour course. Or is CASR 202.277 the solution you where referring to? If so is there a move to make the 105 hour course permanent?

Thank you for your effort and time.
I'm a pessimist, that way I'm either always being proven right, or pleasantly surprised.
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby Skywork » Mon Feb 27 2017, 01:32

With regard to the appointment of a person on a sub committee in relation to the Ag/Application, Is the AHIA in communication with the AAAA or is there two organisation going in seperate directions with helicopters on Ag/Application or on Pt 137. Helicopters are not under Pt 137 and the focus should be on getting them under Pt 137, as it would have benefits to all, even though CASA are fighting it, or say they do not have the time. In Pt 137 if aeroplane was changed to aircraft, that would sort a lot of the mess CASA have made in relation to helicopters and Ag/application and cover helicopters on most of it, then it could be tweaked. Where does the AHIA stands on this.
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby AUSTHIA » Mon Feb 27 2017, 01:54

Bedouin Prince wrote:Hi Peter,

I do appreciate the hard and unthanked work you chaps are doing for the industry.

I do have a question relating to the work you have done regarding part 61.
In your post you mention the reinstatement of the 105 hour course for 141 schools as one of the substantial changes you have made. Like a lot of people the I view this as great news. Do you have any links or literature that can be viewed regarding this, as the current regs and flight test forms still state the 150 hour course, and with CASR 202.277A and B expiring on the 31 of August this year a lot of our clients are looking down the barrel of the 150 hour course. Or is CASR 202.277 the solution you where referring to? If so is there a move to make the 105 hour course permanent?

Thank you for your effort and time.


Hi Bedouin Prince,

The transition period for from CAR 5 has been extended to 31 August 2018, so you still have plenty of time to work the 105 hour courses and prepare to transition to a Part 141 org.
The 105 hour course will remain and has been the result of a lot of negotiations with CASA senior management, however it will require a rewrite of Part 61 to include it as an optional pathway as it is now under the old CAR 5. At the moment there are other exemptions and amendments underway that are of highter prioritiy for industry and CASA and since there is currently an avenue under CAR 5 for the 105 hour coursse this amendment to Part 61 will occur we believe later in the year.
The ten hours of instrument training will not be part of the 105 hour course, it will remain essentially as it is with roughly the same limitations as it has under CAR 5.
If applicant want to be ICAO compliant they will have the option of conducting a ten hour instrument module that they will be able to submit to CASA and have their licence stamped accordingly, not a 100% sure what that will look like yet.

Hope that answers your question,

Kind regards,

Ray Cronin
VP AHIA
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby AUSTHIA » Mon Feb 27 2017, 02:04

Skywork wrote:With regard to the appointment of a person on a sub committee in relation to the Ag/Application, Is the AHIA in communication with the AAAA or is there two organisation going in seperate directions with helicopters on Ag/Application or on Pt 137. Helicopters are not under Pt 137 and the focus should be on getting them under Pt 137, as it would have benefits to all, even though CASA are fighting it, or say they do not have the time. In Pt 137 if aeroplane was changed to aircraft, that would sort a lot of the mess CASA have made in relation to helicopters and Ag/application and cover helicopters on most of it, then it could be tweaked. Where does the AHIA stands on this.


The AHIA are in constant consultation and discussions with the AAAA's and attended a meeting in Canberra last year with all stake holders, the AHIA's position with this is to support the dual pathway either Pt 137 or 138 depending on the category of helicotper used this was accepted by the majority of attendies. CASA certainly were not fighting for any particular position in our view rather trying to determine which was the most appropriate way to proceed, a large number of fire fighting heliocptes are transport category and do not fit within the Pt 137, therefore for company's at the lighter end of the market could that the option of Pt 137 and the heavy end Pt 138.

No doubt with the appointment of Myles there will be more discussion around this.

Kind regards,

Ray Cronin
VP AHIA
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby County » Mon Feb 27 2017, 05:32

Helicopter Ag.... we are in the forgotten land.
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Re: AHIA response to concerns raised on facebook site

Postby Bedouin Prince » Tue Mar 7 2017, 08:22

AUSTHIA wrote:
Bedouin Prince wrote:Hi Peter,

I do appreciate the hard and unthanked work you chaps are doing for the industry.

I do have a question relating to the work you have done regarding part 61.
In your post you mention the reinstatement of the 105 hour course for 141 schools as one of the substantial changes you have made. Like a lot of people the I view this as great news. Do you have any links or literature that can be viewed regarding this, as the current regs and flight test forms still state the 150 hour course, and with CASR 202.277A and B expiring on the 31 of August this year a lot of our clients are looking down the barrel of the 150 hour course. Or is CASR 202.277 the solution you where referring to? If so is there a move to make the 105 hour course permanent?

Thank you for your effort and time.


Hi Bedouin Prince,

The transition period for from CAR 5 has been extended to 31 August 2018, so you still have plenty of time to work the 105 hour courses and prepare to transition to a Part 141 org.
The 105 hour course will remain and has been the result of a lot of negotiations with CASA senior management, however it will require a rewrite of Part 61 to include it as an optional pathway as it is now under the old CAR 5. At the moment there are other exemptions and amendments underway that are of highter prioritiy for industry and CASA and since there is currently an avenue under CAR 5 for the 105 hour coursse this amendment to Part 61 will occur we believe later in the year.
The ten hours of instrument training will not be part of the 105 hour course, it will remain essentially as it is with roughly the same limitations as it has under CAR 5.
If applicant want to be ICAO compliant they will have the option of conducting a ten hour instrument module that they will be able to submit to CASA and have their licence stamped accordingly, not a 100% sure what that will look like yet.

Hope that answers your question,

Kind regards,

Ray Cronin
VP AHIA



Thanks very much for the reply Ray. That is a great outcome and I look forward with interest any continued developments and CASAs implementation.

BP.
I'm a pessimist, that way I'm either always being proven right, or pleasantly surprised.

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