EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Introduction of US-style procedures, plus lower costs, expected to attract more students
Implementation of a new national airspace system (NAS) in Australia, begun late last year, is expected to boost the country's flight training businesses as US-style procedures and operations are introduced.
Australia will complete the first stage of its NAS implementation project next month. The programme will see a major reform of airspace procedures and charting in the country and will culminate next year in the implementation of an airspace system modelled on that of the USA in a bid to simplify procedures, improve safety and reduce costs to operators.
"This offers enormous potential for flight training in Australia. We want to encourage people to come here instead of the USA to train," says Mike Smith, executive director of the NAS Implementation Group. The introduction of standardised global airspace procedures and regulations, coupled with the lower price of training in Australia and increased security in the US flight-training sector after 11 September, are expected to make Australia more attractive as a training centre.
The new procedures are also intended to reduce costs for general aviation and airlines, with operators paying only for the type of airspace they use. This in turn is expected to boost the country's general aviation sector, activity in which has been falling in recent years. A cost-benefit analysis of the programme is due to be released in late March, and is expected to show "significant industry savings", says Smith.
The programme is a result of more than 10 years of attempts to reform the Australian airspace system which has involved extensive industry consultation, says Smith. The plan was approved by the Australian cabinet last May.
Implementation is in four stages, with the first stage introduced from late last November and due to be completed next month. The first stage introduces three of the project's 40 airspace characteristics, including changes to altimetry procedures, says Smith.
The next stage, the bulk of which will be introduced this year, will feature service enhancements, such as simplifying charting by removing unnecessary information. The changes are designed to lead to a simpler and more standardised operating environment, says Smith. "One of the goals is to simplify procedures to allow higher levels of participation and compliance," he says.
Stages three and four will introduce the final elements, with US rules and operations largely in place next year. "The US system is structured to get pilots as quickly and efficiently as possible from where they start to where they want to go," says Smith.
Source: Flight International
