She'll Not Be Right
CODY CALDER
Head of Safety
Cody has been with RAAus for 2 ½ years as an Innovation and Improvement Executive. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Transport Safety Investigation, Diploma in Aviation, Diploma in Business, Commercial Pilot Licence and a Multi-engine instrument rating. Cody is passionate about all aspects of aviation, with experience in skydiving and charter
operations (Fiji/NZ), gliding, aerobatics and warbirds.
cody.calder@raaus.com.au
As pilots, aircraft owners and maintainers, we have an obligation to operate in accordance with compliance requirements.
RAAus is built on the principle of informed participation, allowing a simple ruleset and privileges such as owner maintenance for aircraft
used solely for private use, and a self-declared medical. With this comes the acceptance from RAAus members that the aircraft and pilot are not required to adhere to the same standards, therefore requiring acceptance of the associated risks. Despite the simple ruleset, aircraft owners must ensure that their aircraft continues to be maintained in accordance with the mandatory maintenance standards, and requirements specified within the manufacturer's schedule of maintenance. There are also a number of compulsory requirements that pilots must comply with prior to each and every flight.
This reminder comes shortly following an announcement from the Australian
Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) that they have discontinued the investigation into a fatal accident involving a VH-registered, amateur-built Jodel D11 at Ball Bay, Queensland. The aircraft collided with terrain shortly after take-off. The passenger was fatally injured and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The ATSB found that the pilot did not hold the necessary qualifications to operate the aircraft and that
the aircraft did not hold a current maintenance release. The passenger’s seat belt was found to have completely failed in two locations and both aircraft seat belts had not been replaced in accordance with a CASA airworthiness directive.
comply with requirements may result in disciplinary action, invalidation of insurance, criminal prosecution, or even civil litigation if the occurrence involves a passenger or third party. These may lead to severe charges or even imprisonment for failing to comply with mandatory requirements.
RAAus actively advocates on behalf of members to ensure that our operations continue to be as simple and as cost-effective as possible. In saying this, aircraft maintenance requirements can be complex and aircraft owners are responsible for ensuring their aircraft continues to comply with all requirements. RAAus regularly encounters commonalities with regard to non-compliance and, where possible, will work with members to address such issues. It is, however, a mandatory reporting requirement that RAAus notifies CASA of such breaches and in the event that an individual no longer holds valid membership and aircraft registration, this matter will be sent to CASA for management as this falls outside the scope of our control as an RAAus member.
RAAus recommends members regularly review the following areas to ensure they are compliant:
MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION
Members have a legal requirement to track the expiry of their RAAus membership and aircraft
registration expiry dates. Operating without current membership or registratio