CASA: Pilots To Benefit From Better Security Processing

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority tells ANN that it is making a range of improvements to the systems being used to issue pilots with Aviation Security Identification Cards. The improvements will help to speed up the time it takes for ASIC applications to be processed by CASA and security agencies.

CASA will also be sending pilots a letter acknowledging ASIC applications have been received and advising how they can collect their card when it is issued. The acknowledgement letter will help pilots who are eligible for the extension of time the Federal Government has announced for some ASIC applications.

Transport and Regional Services Minister Warren Truss has approved a new deadline of 31 March 2006 for pilots who need ASICs for regional aerodromes. The extended ASIC deadline only applies to pilots who operate at 141 regional aerodromes that have only recently been included in the security program.

The 28 larger aerodromes that were part of the security program prior to March 2005, plus 10 additional aerodromes, still have an ASIC requirement deadline of 31 December 2005.

Pilots without an ASIC cannot access security controlled areas of these aerodromes after the end of this year. Pilots without an ASIC operating at the 141 regional aerodromes will not be able to access security controlled areas where regular public transport flights are operating after 31 March 2006. For pilots who do not wish to operate at any security controlled aerodromes there are still security requirements.

These pilots do not need an ASIC, but they must still apply for a background security check before 31 December 2005. They will be issued with an Aviation Identification Card (AVID), subject to successful security checking.

FMI: www.casa.au