By Emma Kelly in Perth
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is seeking industry feedback on proposals designed to overhaul the processes used, and cost of, medical certification for private and student pilots. The review follows concerns from general aviation pilots that the current system, under which they pay the same for medical certification as commercial and air transport pilots, is unfair.
The current system was introduced at the beginning of this year as part of CASA’s cost-recovery reforms. Private and student pilots pay A$130 ($100) for their Class 2 medical certification to cover the cost of CASA administration, in addition to A$80-250 for the cost of the medical check by a designated aviation medical examiner (DAME). In contrast, recreational pilots in the UK only need to have the same medical requirements as a car driver with no aviation authority input. The discussion paper proposes a number of options, including fees based on the time taken to assess each applicant or introduction of a new system delegating private pilot medical certification to DAMEs. Comments are invited before 23 June.
Source: Flight International