Episode 257: CASA, RA-AUS, Sport Pilot and Taipans

Several times each year, in cities all around the country, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) conducts open briefings for pilots and other interested parties which cover all the latest updates on rule changes, legislative changes, policies and so on. On the night of recording, Grant had just returned from one such briefing and brings us a report on what was covered. Of particular interest was the proposed changes to pilots licenses which, among many other things, will allow CASA to directly license “recreational” pilots with a license similar to the US sport pilot license. We discuss how this change might affect the current issuer of these licenses, the Recreational Aviation Association of Australia, which is in a poor state at present.In other news, Qantas has announced that it is looking very carefully at the latest fire related issues affecting the 787 fleet, with delivery of its own Dreamliner airframes not far away.Jetstar awaits probe into 787 Dreamliner fire at HeathrowThe Royal Australian Navy has formally commissioned the new fleet of of MRH90 “Taipan” helicopters, and reactivating 808 Squadron in the process.Navy commissions 808SQN and MRH 90 helicopter