Fatigue Reg Enquiry to CASA
AFAP S&T has sought an official CASA determination regarding FDPs when initiated from a standby period. The catalyst to this enquiry was from members seeking clarification about their operator rostering very short standby periods at a strategic time of day with an aim to avoid the reg FDP discount requirement/calculation, which normally occurs due to a combined calculation of time spent on standby with the subsequent FDP.
We were guided to the definition of call-out and how this is critical to the official review:
- Call out means being required by an AOC holder to commence a duty period during a standby.
Thus, if the (call out) FDP, for which the FCM is to operate, doesn’t commence during the rostered standby period (or a continuation of it), then the FCM must still have the required ODP. S&T has been advised by CASA that (for most appendices of CAO 48.1) such call outs must limit the FDP to the combination calculation of STBY plus FDP found in the rules, otherwise the ODPs in between STBYs/FDPs etc must apply.
There is no “magic time” undefined between a call out from STBY to the activation of an FDP if that time doesn’t meet the minimum ODP requirements or is not calculated into the above-mentioned combination calculation. If there is a period of time between the end of the published STBY and the sign on time for the FDP, this must all be included in the overall calculation for the permissible duration of that resultant FDP, or there must be at least a min rest ODP in between. The rules for some 48.1 appendices may be different to this determination so you must refer to the regs in all circumstances.
VA Fatigue Protection EA Clause
Virgin Australia’s new EA introduces fatigue related pay protections that cover pilots’ pay when they remove themselves from duty due to operational fatigue. These provisions enable pilots to manage their fatigue without losing income, enable a greater provision of fatigue data to the company and help the use of sick leave to not be the most viable option. This is in alignment with the AusALPA Position Paper - Sick Leave and Fatigue Data.
Pilots have begun using these provisions under this agreement, especially when assigned consecutive long duties with minimal rest (cumulative fatigue, restricted recovery) or when facing sleep disruptions due to accommodation issues. The Virgin Council anticipates that these changes will help considerations for adjustments in rostering practices (albeit reactive adjustments), as the fatigue data and the operational implications (including financial costs) become more visible.
FRMS Forum - Santiago Chile, 17-19 March 2025
The AFAP sent fatigue reps and S&T staff Lachlan Gray to this year’s forum. The reps are drawn from existing FSAG reps and two council chairs, Matt Neilsen and Anthony Clouting (who is also an FSAG rep at NJS). Lachlan presented at the forum on behalf of IFALPA on the pilot view and experiences of FRMS. This included an overview of issues and why some of them can’t be resolved with the current approach to fatigue management. A key part of this presentation was the need to review the current approach to FM and to reflect if this is in alignment with what ICAO intended with the changes emanating from reform in 2011. Side discussions with IATA representatives on these points were fruitful and work has commenced to reform the ICAO FM manuals.
IFALPA FM Course
We again hosted the IFALPA Fatigue Management (FM) course in Brisbane (May 2025). One of the main aims was to train up our own FM reps however, it is important that operator safety/FM management can participate too and we had a number of operators send participants. CASA provided sponsorship to support this training event and we were privileged that they were able to send two of their FM officers to participate from their Human Performance Team.
Training and Skills Development - Industry Skills Australia (ISA)
ISA has started a project called “Defence Flight Instructor Transition to Civilian Airlines”. The project aims to identify the barriers to CASA recognising defence flight instructors’ skills and training and offer solutions to facilitate the transition to civilian world.
The AFAP has put forward two SME S&T reps to join this project.
PACDEFF
Will be held in SYD,16-17 of September and AFAP S&T Officer Lachlan Gray will be presenting. A report will be provided after the event.
Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS)
Resilient Pilot, AFAP (and RPAP) will attend APATS in Singapore in August. This conference is important exposure for AFAP/RPAP with our IFALPA APAC proximity and experience with Resilient Pilot. A report will be provided after the event.
Cabin Air Quality (Aero-toxicity)
Vale Susan Michaelis
A Distinguished Advocate and Researcher
Dr Susan Michaelis leaves a legacy as a pioneering advocate and researcher in the field of aviation health and safety, with a special focus on cabin air quality. Her relentless pursuit of truth and justice, grounded in medical evidence and scientific integrity, has shaped global awareness and standards for safer skies.
Career Highlights
Australian Flight Instructor & Airline Pilot: Susan accrued over 5,000 hours of flying experience, becoming a trailblazer for women in aviation. She flew for several Australian carriers before retiring due to ill health linked to cabin air contamination.
Medical and Aviation Scholar
Earning a PhD in Safety Science from the University of New South Wales, an MSc in Air Safety and Accident Investigation from Cranfield University, and multiple health and safety qualifications, Susan merged practical and academic expertise to advance flight safety.
Instrumental Inquiry Leadership
As a lead advocate, she played a central role in launching the 1999 Australian Senate enquiry into cabin air contamination, which uncovered widespread incidents of fume exposure affecting flight safety and crew health.
Founder of the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE)
GCAQE Establishment: In 2006, Susan was appointed Head of Research for the Global Cabin Air Quality Executive, a non-profit organisation she was key in founding. The GCAQE now unites many dedicated members, including her pilot union, the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), to drive improvements in global aviation standards.
Advocacy and Advisory Roles
Susan was a highly respected voice on international safety committees, including the European Committee for Standardization and SAE International. She addressed numerous global conferences and contributed to critical policy debates on aircraft air quality.
Major Achievements and Recognition
Seminal Publications: Susan authored the Aviation Contaminated Air Reference Manual (2007), a comprehensive and groundbreaking work used by industry regulators, scholars, and unions worldwide.
International Awards
She was recognised with multiple awards, including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Sir Donald Anderson Trophy and the prestigious British Citizen Award in 2023, the first Australian to receive this honour for her work on passenger and crew air safety.
Public and Media Engagement:
Susan’s work and personal journey were featured in documentaries such as Flying Sheilas, Angel without Wings, and Broken Wings, which spotlighted her unwavering commitment to aviation safety and justice
A recent press release (May) from the GCAQE announced three major milestones in the field of aircraft cabin air quality:
- A newly published scientific study by an American research team has identified physical biomarkers in the blood of airline crew members exposed to toxic oil fumes during flights.
- French oil manufacturer, NYCO, is set to introduce a new safer jet engine oil with less-toxic additives, intended to reduce the hazard of breathing the current toxic engine oil formulations that can contaminate the ventilation systems on aircraft.
- A new documentary premiered in June 2025. The film asserts ongoing issues with the way the aviation industry is reluctant to deal with these issues and progress to protect passengers and crew from oil-contaminated cabin air.
AFAP S&T offered to assist Virgin in CAQ responses, earlier in the year, after mishandled maintenance post fume event. We have also facilitated two video briefings with the Aeromed Director of American Pilots Association. Captain Rondeau Flynn CAPA Aeromedical Committee Chairman. The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations has supplied the AFAP with AA’s Fume Quick reference lists for pilots and engineers and their medical protocol for affected crew. He also remains engaged with us to help guide change in our industries cultural responses to fume events. He will brief the AFAP S&T Day before Convention this year.