IFFR “Tango around the Outback” FLY IN- June 2023

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Article supplied by International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians.

After the RI Convention in Melbourne, 57 intrepid IFFR members, partners and friends set forth to discover the outback; the long-way around via Warrnambool, Mildura, Broken Hill, Echuca and returning safely to Melbourne. 

Reflecting the global nature of Rotary there were folk from Australia, Denmark, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States travelling on the “Tango Round the Outback” in eight GA Aircraft, a twin-engine King Air, and a 50-seater luxury coach plus the odd mini-bus for the pilots and an SUV when the weather rained upon us!! 

And rained it did, with 4” or 100mm in and around Broken Hill the night we arrived!!!   

Our safety committee did well recommending the GA Aircraft remain in Mildura and avoid the unsavoury weather including heavy rain, low cloud and poor visibility. 

There were so many highlights experienced by our touring group on the “Tango” for brevity’s sake they included: 

  • A fabulous pre-Tango shared platter styled dinner at the Longrain Restaurant in Melbourne; 
  • Flying above and around the 12 Apostles, then seeing them at ground level; 
  • Walking the Otway Treetops on the way to the Great Ocean Road; 
  • Coaching to the Ansett Air Museum in Hamilton; 
  • Visiting the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum by day and by night; 
  • Experiencing a campsite-oven dinner hosted by Pres Nardia and the Rotary Club of Mildura Deakin; 
  • The amazing flora of the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens; 
  • Enjoying local wines and fine produce at Trentham Estate, Mildura and Balgownie Estates, Bendigo; 
  • Broken Hill Royal Flying Doctors, the Broken Hill Aero club lunch and cocktails at the Sculptures on sunset; 
  • Local touring in Broken Hill with the Big Picture, the Line of Load arranged by our IFFR member Bruce Church; 
  • Dining with the Rotary Club of Broken Hill during its weekly meeting at the Musician’s Club; 
  • Sight-seeing the highlights of “Mad Max”, the art and food in Silverton including lunch at the Silverton pub; 
  • Plying the Murray River on the PV “Rothbury” in Mildura & the oldest Paddle Steamer “Adelaide” in Echuca; 
  • Echuca attractions including the National Holden Museum and the Great Aussie Beer Shed; 
  • Showing off Australia’s unique “Silo Art” heading to Warracknabeal, Mildura plus returning thru Rochester; 
  • Accommodation was very comfortable, providing the best available locally during our extensive travels; 
  • Traditional Aussie food and a selection of drinks kept the inner man or woman happy in readiness for experiencing the next day’s adventure; 
  • Finally our “Tango Reflections” dinner at Element Hotel with great wine, fine food, and fellowship to finish. 

Thanks to the many “Tango” organisers, all the hotel staff, the various GA Aircraft providers, Kirkhope Aviation providing the King Air with our caring and very personable pilot Rob; lastly, but definitely not the least, our wonderful, exceedingly popular and very careful coach driver Ellen in our big Grey Alston Coach. 

To view the full article and photos head to the IFFR website

Applying for an ASIC

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Article supplied by AIDA

Apply for an ASIC is an easy straightforward process with Aviation ID Australia!

Before applying for Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), simply contact the airport/s you are likely to attend to check if you need an ASIC.

Applying online with us is simple, we will prompt you to upload documents and a current passport style photo. It’s best to have these documents on-hand before you start, but you can always email us later with any missing documents.  You can find a list of usable documents on our website: FAQs Everything you need to know about ASIC Cards (aviationidaustralia.net.au)

You will also be asked to provide your ‘operational need’. If you’re a pilot, your pilot’s licence is perfect. Or, if you need an ASIC for your job, a letter from your employer. As you complete the online application, we provide pop-ups to help you, like how to take your own passport-style photograph.

Once we have processed your application, we will email you the details of where to complete your In-Person ID Check, including a list of the original documents you need to take with you. The In-Person ID Check only takes a few minutes.

When the background is completed by AusCheck and approval is received, we will print and post your ASIC providing you with tracking details. It’s that simple!

ASIC Renewal – ASIC Card – Aviation ID Australia

CASA to work with aviation sector on 5G

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Article supplied by CASA. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority will work with the aviation industry and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on the introduction of expanded 5G services in Australia.

CASA has worked closely with ACMA to ensure that the roll-out of wireless broadband services, including 5G, in the 3.7 – 4.0 GHz band (mid-band) can be done in a way that ensures the safety of aircraft and acknowledges the importance of Australian aviation.

This includes measures mitigating against potential interference by 5G to radio altimeters (radalts) used in aircraft to determine height above terrain. Information from radalts is displayed to pilots and used by other safety systems.

Radio altimeters operate in the 4.2 – 4.4 GHz range and mid-band 5G transmissions have been introduced without issue in several jurisdictions. However, the introduction of 5G transmissions in 3.7 – 3.98 GHz range in the United States raised concerns about possible interference with radio altimeters, particularly during low altitude operations during take-off and landing near airports.

After introducing measures to mitigate the possibility of interference, the US Federal Aviation Administration now requires operators to upgrade or replace radalts failing to meet a minimum performance level for aircraft landing procedures that are reliant on this equipment.

Australia will see a range of mitigations on deployments above 3.7 GHz until 31 March 2026. This is designed to protect against the risk of 5G interfering with radio altimeters and minimise disruptions to aviation operations.

The mitigations will restrict wireless broadband deployments in the 3.7-4.0 GHz band around runways and approaches identified by CASA at 21 airports nationally where landings using radio altimeters are permitted. There will also be limits on power and unwanted emissions.

We do not expect to impose operational limits on air operators during this interim period. However, operators will need to upgrade radalts that do not meet minimum performance levels before the interim period ends. We will liaise with industry about the applicable performance standards for radalts and available options for upgrading.

CASA is monitoring developments internationally as 5G is rolled out and we are confident the interim measures put in place by ACMA will ensure continued safe aviation operations.

Ongoing mitigations after 2026 will include a 200 MHz buffer between wireless broadband and radio altimeter frequencies as well as limits on power and unwanted emissions.

We encourage pilots to report any spurious radio altimeters incidents by using our defect reporting form or to the ATSB via their notification form.

CASA issued its latest airworthiness bulletin on the 5G issue on 4 March 2022 and a revised version is due out soon.

Further information is available on the ACMA 5G and aviation page.

Review of Southport airspace commences

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Article supplied by CASA. The review of Southport airspace commences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is reviewing the Gold Coast airspace in which two helicopters tragically collided in January.

CASA is seeking direct feedback from pilots and operators separate to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into the Sea World Helicopters accident on 2 January.

An initial review of the airspace has not indicated there are any safety issues relating to airspace arrangements, but this broader work will seek input from airspace users and operators.

‘While there’s no indication at this stage that airspace design played a part in this devastating accident, we want to make sure we’ve given all pilots and airspace users the opportunity to provide their views on airspace arrangements,’ CASA Branch Manager Air Navigation, Airspace and Aerodromes, Adrian Slootjes, said.

‘The first stage of this work involves collecting data to inform a formal airspace review.

‘We’ve had people on the ground last week observing operations and talking to operators. This will be used alongside information we receive through our broader consultation activities.

‘We want all pilots and operators that fly in this area to let us know about their experiences.

‘We were greatly saddened by this tragedy and our condolences go to the families of all those involved.’

Data will be collected to help CASA analyse aircraft operations, aircraft landing areas, helicopter landing sites and the surrounding airspace. This will be used to inform a formal airspace review.

The accident is subject to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation that is anticipated to be completed in the second half of 2024.

‘We will also be cooperating with the ATSB as it continues its investigation,’ Mr Slootjes said.

‘Should any new or additional information become available through that investigation we will take immediate action and consider it alongside our own work.’

CASA approved a new Head of Flying Operations for Sea World Helicopters and worked closely with the operator to review procedures and operations in April 2023.

The ATSB investigation means it is inappropriate for CASA officials to comment further.

Editor’s note: Pre-recorded news grabs suitable for use on television and radio are available on Google Drive. The grabs are given by Anthony Nugent, section manager Office of Airspace Regulation, Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

What is the life of a flight nurse actually like?

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Article supplied by RFDS. What is the life of a flight nurse actually like? Flight nurses are responsible for medical emergency response and delivery of primary healthcare services in the remotest parts of the country. They have to be professionally competent to deal with a wide range of medical emergencies and be able to care for severely ill patients, including infants, children, and the elderly. Flight nurses also have to maintain a good sense of humor and love and care for those they serve. 

Jacinta Jones, a flight nurse based out of Brisbane, is being interviewed in this podcast. She shares her childhood experience of living in different locations with her mother, who was a remote area nurse and witnessing RFDS clinics providing primary healthcare services and evacuations when patients were too unwell to stay in town. 

In this episode, we also discuss the work schedule of flight nurses in Australia. There are seven bases in Queensland, three of which have two 12-hour shifts: a day shift starting at 6 am and a night shift starting at 6 pm. Two bases in the coastal region also follow this schedule, while the other two bases, as well as bases in other states, may have slightly different shift patterns depending on the needs of the region. 

Jacinta shares a story of when they had to land at Dagworth station, where Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda, to help an unwell station worker. However, when they tried to take off again, they got bogged down in a green patch on the runway, and the station workers had to help them dig and tow the airplane out. She advises aspiring nurses who are interested in travel to consider flight nursing as a career.

Join us in this new episode of the #FlyingDoctorPodcast podcast as we chat with Jacinta about her world and adventures as a flight nurse.

BECOME AN RFDS FLIGHT NURSE

Australia Signs MoU with Tonga Civil Aviation Division

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Article supplied by CASA

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tonga Civil Aviation Division.

A hand holding a metalling pen, holding it over a stack of folded-over papers.

The MoU will see the 2 countries work more closely across technical, regulatory and safety matters.

CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence, said that the arrangement is one way in which Australia supports aviation safety in the Asia-Pacific.

Under the MoU, the Tonga Civil Aviation Division, Ministry Of Infrastructure may request, and CASA may provide, technical assistance or advice in relation to regulatory activities.

‘This MOU acknowledges Australia and Tonga’s roles as aviation safety regulators in the region and as participants in the Pacific Aviation Safety Office,’ Ms Spence said.

‘We are committed to promoting a positive and collaborative safety culture through our own aviation safety regulatory system as well as supporting the broader aviation community.’

‘I am pleased to have signed this agreement which acknowledges the importance of safety in the region and our support for the Pacific.’

The arrangement was announced by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, during a visit to Tonga last week.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service launches country bakeries awards

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Article supplied by RFDS

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RDFS) Victoria has proudly announced the recipients of its inaugural Flying Doctor Favourite Country Bakery awards.

These awards recognise the bakeries that Flying Doctor team members most enjoy visiting while driving across the state of Victoria to transport patients and deliver a multitude of primary health care services.

“Many people know the Flying Doctor for our rescue missions in the Outback, but here in Victoria, we don’t just take people to health care: we bring health care to people,” says Scott Chapman, RFDS Victoria Chief Executive. “We embed ourselves and our services in Victorian country towns, enabling people to access care in their own community. By doing this, we become part of rural Victorian communities, which means our teams have become familiar faces at many bakeries across the state–and a valued source of information regarding the whereabouts of Victoria’s best pies and baked treats.”

In addition to acknowledging the bakeries that keep Flying Doctor crews fuelled and well fed while out on the road, the purpose of these awards is to encourage people to undertake a country bakery road trip of their own and visit Victoria’s many rural and remote communities for themselves. 

“Our state has some incredibly diverse and unique communities, and while our people have the privilege of living and working across these areas, we want to inspire more people to hit the road and visit these country towns, meet their incredible locals and, of course, try their delicious pies for themselves,” says Mr Chapman.

For an unveiling of the full list of recipients, please head over to the Hangar here.

How did Andrew Conlon survive being swallowed by the earth?

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RFDS Andrew Conlon

Article supplied by RFDS

Flying Doctor Podcast #20:

Ten years ago, Andrew (pictured left) stepped backwards onto what appeared to be solid ground, to have a mineshaft open up beneath him. 

Andrew was retrieved by the RFDS who provided him with in-flight medical care while on the way to Perth to access specialist care. “I take a couple of steps back, and I’m turning around and talking to guys. All right, once we’ve done this, we’ll go and I took a step backward, and the ground opened up”, said Andrew. “And, yeah, I fell, all I remember there is, like, scrambling at the Earth with my hands, and I couldn’t get the purchase. Everything crumbled, and then it collapsed.”

As a way of giving back, Andrew and his mate Bosko have carefully curated a children’s book ‘Dwayne’s First Flight’ to help raise vital funds for the RFDS.

In the book, Dwayne has an important mission, but he’s never flown in the dark. Throughout the story, he overcomes fears, believes in himself, and makes new friends along the way. 

Listen to the full story shared by Andrew himself who considers it to be a life-altering experience for him and his family.

How CASA ensures safety with a new airline

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CASA ensures safety with new airlines

Article supplied by CASA

Last month saw Bonza Australia’s second aircraft, named ‘Bazza’, touching down at its Sunshine Coast base. It joins ‘Shazza’ as part of the Bonza’s new fleet.

Boeing cockpit

The arrival came as a specialised Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) team continued to review processes and documents to ensure Bonza meets the required aviation safety standards to obtain an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from CASA.

The process airlines go through to obtain a domestic AOC is complex and unique to each operator.

Factors include the size of the network, the number and type of aircraft involved as well as the level and maintenance of crew training.

While the CASA and Bonza teams work through the application process, here is some information about how CASA ensures that any new and existing operator flies safely in our skies.

Note that this information is general in nature. Any operators wishing to apply for an AOC should review our information for air operators.

How to get permission to fly

Operators conducting commercial operations in Australia must hold an AOC. This is a permission granted under the Civil Aviation Act. AOCs are issued for a specified period and initially for 1 year. An AOC will cover a specific commercial purpose, such as air transport operations.

The process

We treat the assessment of an AOC application as a project. We have a formal and structured method for managing all activities along with an agreed schedule and a definition of the roles and responsibilities of CASA staff.

The AOC certification process consists of 4 phases.

Phase 1: enquiry

This is where we help the applicant understand the process and requirements to make an application for an AOC There may be a number of pre-application meetings for initial issue AOCs and complex applications.

Phase 2: application

This is where the applicant will submit application forms and documentation to CASA. If suitable, the application will be formally accepted by CASA and it is at this point that the assessment process formally begins. A detailed estimate of fees will be provided to the applicant which must be paid prior to the assessment starting.

Phase 3: assessment

This is where all supporting documentation is assessed to determine if the applicant meets the legislative safety requirements. The first phase takes the form of a technical assessment of the documentation that describes how the applicant will operate safely, and to make sure Bonza meets the required aviation safety standards. This evaluation includes areas such as the applicant’s ‘exposition’ (operating manual) outlining how the airline will comply with legislative safety requirements. This includes:

  • maintenance procedures
  • safety management systems
  • pilot and cabin crew training systems.

During the documentation assessment, inspectors evaluate for completeness, adequacy, quality and adherence to the legislation requirements. We may also conduct a financial viability assessment at this stage, particularly where operators are planning passenger-carrying scheduled services.

The applicant also has a range of responsibilities in this process, including to make staff and facilities available to us to verify matters, providing us with information and evidence to show that all risks have been identified and mitigated.

Verification and testing is done to ensure that the applicant has the facilities, processes, and personnel to be able to comply with their exposition (operating manuals). We may also need to assess specific standards and procedures to grant the applicant certain approvals. We will conduct inspections of their proposed operations, facilities, aircraft and aerodromes. For large organisations, this might require a number of visits. Proving flights may also be required to complete an assessment.

Phase 4: certification

Where we are satisfied that the applicant is safe and meets the requirements, we issue an AOC.

Safety assurance

We conduct regular checks and surveillance on operators once they have an AOC.

We may cancel, suspend or vary the AOC if we are no longer satisfied that the holder meets the legislative safety requirements.