In approximately 1 page (less than 400 words) per question, answer the following questions (25% each). Do not include references or quotations. Where applicable, use examples from the class State research reports.
Please submit these via blackboard or by email no later than noon on 9 December 2019.
- For a small country, what are the advantages and disadvantages for regulatory compliance by having the accident investigation organization as a department within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)?
- A small country sells its national flag airline to an outside investor who over time does not comply with government oversight directives. Even worse, the CAA now does not have the income stream from the airline to sustain its oversight program and finds itself on the European Blacklist. What should the CAA do to get out of this situation?
- A small country receives aid from ICAO in the form of training for air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance personnel. Unfortunately as soon as these people are trained they are hired by other countries in part because the CAA will not make openings to hire these newly qualified staff and because the salaries are higher in other locations. ICAO says this is the last time it will provide the training unless the CAA can retain these new people. However, the current staff, which are unqualified, protests because they do not want to lose their jobs or have to work for younger but more qualified people. What can the CAA do to resolve this challenge?
- The CAA has recently mandated the implementation of Safety Management System in compliance with ICAO Annex 19, including a required voluntary reporting system for all airlines, airports and air traffic control facilities. However, at the same time the CAA realizes that these voluntary reports are a great way to identify who is doing things incorrectly. The CAA wants to use the voluntary reports for administrative and regulatory compliance sanctions. Why is this a good or bad idea and what could be some responses from the industry?
- The Republic of Homanistan does not have a general aviation program and relies on retirees from the military to fly its national civil airline. There is no competition and over time this national airline has far too many employees to cover its modest income. At the same time the military has excess aircraft and their pilots would greatly appreciate more experience. The Minister of Defence has proposed to allow military aircraft to conduct revenue flights in order to give his pilots more experience, to provide funding for the military and to provide competition for the national airline. What are the problems for aviation regulatory compliance with this proposal?
- A well-established airline is seeking authority to purchase several new aircraft that have never operated in its country of registry. The CAA is reluctant to allow this purchase and registration because they have no one trained on this aircraft to provide adequate safety oversight. What options are available to the airline and the CAA?
- Several countries form a Regional Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) for regulatory compliance inspections of their airlines, airports and air traffic control programs. How is it then possible for ICAO (or another organization such as EASA or FAA) to determine if each country is complying with its regulatory oversight obligations during a USOAP or other aviation safety audit?
- ICAO standards only apply to civil aviation. Thus, there are no ICAO documents related to military operations. How can an airport comply with ICAO standards and at the same time support joint civil-military airport operations such as firefighting, aircraft ordnance, arresting gear and other unique military activities?