President’s Opinion

As you know, our industry is gearing up for an important change when new maintenance regulations officially come into effect in less than three months’ time.  This licence transition from CAR31 licences to CASR Part 66 licences will affect all Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and needs to be managed very carefully if it is to go ahead without any hiccups.

CASA are currently conducting a roadshow around Australia, giving LAMEs an opportunity to attend meetings and hear what the changes mean, how CASA will implement them over the coming months, and manage continuing airworthiness into the future.

Unfortunately the feedback I have been getting from members who have attended these sessions is that CASA have not provided the in-depth information that LAMEs in Australia require at this time. Transition to the new CASR Part 66 licence is a serious change to our profession and the Association is doing all it can to ensure the consultation process is comprehensive and provides members with sufficient information. If this is not occurring it is not good enough and I will be relaying your comments directly to John McCormick himself.

In other news, outsourcing, outsourcing and more outsourcing remains a constant theme in aircraft maintenance. Qantas and Forstaff management’s decision to outsource the D checks for three 747-400 aircraft should hardly be surprising considering their recent announcements to cut jobs, but there it is. Despite assurances recently given to Forstaff Avalon employees about their workload, work that would have normally been carried out by them was once again sent overseas and I believe you all have good reason to feel let down by Forstaff and Qantas management.   

The Qantas LAME EA negotiations also continue and our number one priority is locking in binding job security clauses that are enforceable in courtrooms. We are presently undertaking a ballot of Qantas LAME members to see whether they authorise the taking of Protected Industrial Action in support of the new EA. It is a must that all Qantas LAMEs vote so the Federal Executive knows their feelings. As soon as you get your ballot, fill it in and mail it off.

Finally, in late March I attended the International Federation of Airworthiness ‘Continuing Airworthiness’ workshop and forum at the University of New South Wales. The two days covered such topics as outsourcing, apprentice training, continuous airworthiness, human factors and the vital communication between engineer and pilot.  Speakers from around the world spoke on these current and important topics to a group of up to 50 LAMEs from Virgin, Qantas and GA.
It is a pity that more LAMEs did not take advantage of this informative and free symposium and attend, as those who did participate did so enthusiastically and upon feedback thought it was well worthwhile.

Keep safe,

Paul Cousins,
President

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