(a)   pilot experience requirements and the consequence of any reduction in flight hour  requirements on safety;

(b)   the United States of America's Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 which requires a minimum of 1 500 flight hours before a pilot is able to operate on regular public transport services and whether a similar mandatory requirement should be applied in Australia;

(c)   current industry practices to recruit pilots, including pay-for-training schemes and the impact such schemes may have on safety;

(d)   retention of experienced pilots;

(e)   type rating and recurrent training for pilots;

(f)     the capacity of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to appropriately oversee and update safety regulations given the ongoing and rapid development of new technologies and skills shortages in the aviation sector;

(g)   the need to provide legislative immunity to pilots and other flight crew who report on safety matters and whether the United States and European approaches would be appropriate in the Australian aviation environment;

(h)   reporting of incidents to aviation authorities by pilots, crew and operators and the handling of those reports by the authorities, including the following incidents:

(i)               the Jetstar incident at Melbourne airport on 21 June 2007, and
(ii)             the Tiger Airways incident, en route from Mackay to Melbourne, on 18 May 2009;

(i)     how reporting processes can be strengthened to improve safety and related training, including consideration of the Transport Safety Investigation Amendment (Incident Reports) Bill 2010; and

(j)     any other related matters.


Information about the bill

http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fs801%22


The reporting date for this inquiry was 17 November 2010.   On 17 November 2010, the Senate agreed to an extension of time to report.  

On  4  May 2011, the committee presented an interim report in which it requested additional time to  seek further evidence to the inquiry, and that the committee intends to present its final report by  15 June 2011.

On 15  June 2011, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until  22 June 2011.