Mid-air collisions force Australia to review aerodrome procedures

By Emma Kelly

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has launched a review of the country's general aviation aerodrome procedures (GAAP) following a number of mid-air collisions at some major flying training airports.

The review is focusing on training methods and materials used by all flying schools at or near Australia's six GAAP airports - Adelaide's Parafield, Brisbane's Archerfield, Melbourne's Moorabbin, Perth's Jandakot and Sydney's Bankstown and Camden.

CASA says its recently formed Flight Training and Testing Office is undertaking the review following recent mid-air collisions at Moorabbin, Bankstown and Parafield. CASA is conducting anonymous interviews with air traffic controllers, flying instructors and students, with targeted surveys used to compare student knowledge with various training procedures.

The authority is also seeking input from the Australian Association of Flight Instructors, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia.

In a separate review, CASA and local aviation consultants Ambidji Group are studying the most appropriate airspace class or procedures for GAAP aerodromes.

Meanwhile, Australian manufacturer Seabird Aviation is completing its first Seeker SB7L-360A surveillance aircraft equipped for the installation of the Cineflex V14 gyro-stabilised high-definition camera system. The Seeker, integrated with a Cineflex camera, makes it a "game-changer" in the world of cost-effective airborne observation, says managing director Peter Adams.

The latest development of the Seeker is in the final-assembly stage, with delivery to an unidentified, non-Australian customer scheduled this month.