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Output Number
R20060003
Approval Date
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Recommendation
Mode
Aviation
Date released

Safety Recommendation

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Civil
Aviation Safety Authority review the adequacy of current
legislation and regulations:

  • to assess the safety benefit that could be achieved from the
    fitment of a serviceable autopilot to all aircraft currently on the
    Australian civil aircraft register, engaged on scheduled air
    transport operations
  • with a view to ensuring that all aircraft placed on the
    Australian civil aircraft register after a specified date and
    intended to be engaged on scheduled air transport operations are
    equipped with a serviceable autopilot.
Organisation Response
Date Received
Organisation
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Response Status
Monitor
Response Text

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority advised the ATSB on 3 April
2006 that it is currently reviewing Civil Aviation Order (CAO)
20.18 and examining the history of changes as they relate to the
fitment of autopilot equipment. Additionally, a review of
international legislation (JAR, FAA, Transport Canada and NZ) is
being undertaken in order to determine whether or not Australia's
requirements are out of step with best practice.

CASA is also working to identify the 'population' of RPT
Operators and aircraft that are affected, by this recommendation,
looking particularly at which of those aircraft are NOT fitted with
an autopilot that satisfies CAO 20.18 Para 4.1A.

Date Received
Organisation
Civl Aviation Safety Athority
Response Text

CASA has conducted a preliminary review of Civil Aviation Order
(CAO) 20.18 and examined the history of changes as they relate to
fitment of autopilot equipment.  The relevant current
provisions in CAO 20.18 have existed since about 1960 and are
consistent with current provisions of the US Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities
(JAA).

A review of CASA data to identify the 'population' of RPT
Operators and aircraft that are affected revealed a total of 52
aircraft, 80% of which are the Metro SA227.  Some feedback
indicates that the standard autopilot approved for this aircraft
type is widely known within the aviation industry to be unreliable
old technology and expensive.  This may account for the fact
that few Metro SA227 aircraft are fitted with autopilots.  All
Australian aircraft operating in high capacity regular public
transport operations have approved autopilots fitted.

CASA will consult industry through the Standards Consultative
Committee (SCC) before deriving a conclusion on the matter.

Furthermore, CASA has extracted relevant Crew Resource
Management/training and Human Factors material out of draft Civil
Aviation Safety Regulation Part 121A and is developing a Civil
Aviation Advisory Publication.  This material is currently
with CASA senior managers for comment.

 

ATSB Response date