Story ID: 
Australia Issues Draft AC on Pilot Supervision
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: A new draft Advisory Circular from Australia's CASA delves into pilot supervision for certain aircraft operators.
Word Count: 208
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) recently published draft Advisory Circular (AC) 61-20 v1.0 as the first document of its kind addressing pilot supervision for aircraft operators that do not have a required check and training system in place.

Guidance is provided to operators for delivering “a structured supervision program to pilots operating in a new environment or after completing the regulatory requirements for a new qualification.” The intent of the supervision process is to ensure pilots can “continue to gain effective knowledge and operational experience, during and post, induction, or when operating in a new environment.”

CASA emphasized that this AC “does not replace the supervision required by the regulations to complete a qualification. However, all operators could adopt the supervision methodology for their operational safety-critical personnel.”

Comment deadline is November 7. Feedback is specifically requested on these questions: Should pilots who are flying for an operator without a training system have a period of supervision after joining an organization or obtaining new qualifications? Is the advice understood, complete and explained in enough detail? How realistic is the example? And whether you think operators to whom the AC applies will adopt pilot supervision as part of their training process?