Mr Shane Carmody
Director of Aviation Safety, CASA
GPO BOX 2005
Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Mr Michael McCormack MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
PO Box 6022, House of Representatives
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600, Australia
CASA confirms and doubles down on private pilot medical double standards!
Dear Mr Carmody,
Further to our previous correspondence on self-certification private drivers licence medicals for government regulated Recreational Pilots Licence (RPL) and Private Pilots Licence (PPL) holders. In today’s Australian newspaper, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has gone on the record to state;
“…the authority had carefully assessed the safety issues and risks in determining the various classes of aviation medical certificates, taking into account things like other airspace users, aircraft passengers and people and property on the ground… CASA considers self-medical certification to be appropriate for recreational pilots operating in small aircraft with one passenger, and outside controlled airspace under licences issued by Recreational Aviation Australia.”
If CASA considers it safe for a private ‘recreational’ pilot to operate in small aircraft with one passenger outside of controlled airspace, then why has CASA denied all government regulated RPL and PPL holders of this risk-appropriate permission? Why has CASA implemented aviation medical safety standards that serve to force RPL and PPL holders into a private business (the Recreational Aviation Australia Limited) that exposes them to unregulated monopoly fees and charges? Why are Australia’s aviation safety regulations being used to benefit one specific private business, whilst denying all CASA RPL and PPL holders of their rights?
Could CASA please provide a copy of its ‘risk-assessment’ that details how the regulator arrived at the conclusion that it is safer for a pilot of a light aircraft with an MTOW of 600Kgs to be flown outside of controlled airspace by a member of the Recreational Aviation Australia Limited versus a CASA regulated RPL or PPL pilot?
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
BENJAMIN MORGAN
Executive Director
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia (AOPA Australia)
Hangar 600, Prentice Street, Bankstown Airport NSW 2200 Australia.
PO BOX 26, Georges Hall NSW 2198 Australia.
