Pacific Aviation Specialists

Avlaw provided consultancy services to PASO to support PASO stakeholders in enhancing their knowledge of regional and international aviation in relation to their roles at PASO. The development and curation of Training and Induction Plans for the different stakeholders were engendered by:

• Conducting a Training Needs Analysis for relevant PASO stakeholders;
• Creating technical and non-technical induction packages for new PASO staff members and consultants;
• Reviewing the Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS) for PASO Inspectors and creating a PASO Inspector Training Plan;
• Reviewing the PASO Civil Aviation Authority Strengthening Program (CAASP) and the Pacific Inspector Development Program and provide recommendations for improvement; and
• Identify and secure training institutions and providers that best meet the needs of the States and PASO.

This resulted in the development of training modules on the platform EdApp that was distributed to PASO stakeholders.

Avlaw provided consultancy services to the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) to enable PASO and its member States to take a pro-active approach to RPAS management and regulation, in accordance with ICAO SARPs and stakeholder expectations. This included:

Conducting a review of the current RPAS use within the Pacific Islands and outlining findings and recommendations to the PASO Council for implementation;
• Developing model legislation and regulation for RPAS use for PASO Member States;
• Developing RPAS awareness material for PASO Member States; and
• Developing training modules for RPAS use for PASO Member States.

Avlaw attended workshops in-country to consult with key stakeholders and understand the best utilisation of RPAS within Pacific Island nations, including its role within Emergency Management and Humanitarian efforts. Promotional educational material on the use of RPAS was developed and distributed amongst key agencies within the Pacific Islands as well as training modules through the online platform EdApp, providing a regulatory overview of CASR Parts 101 and 102.

In 2022 Prof. Ron Bartsch AM was appointed as the PASO Training Coordinator during which time he developed a series of online training modules for PASO administrative staff and technical consultants. The training modules included both induction and recurrent training needs. As part of this assignment, PASO HR staff were trained to maintain, update and further enhance these programs by utilising advanced and fit-for-purpose smart device applications.

Avlaw’s Founder and Chairman Prof. Ron Bartsch AM acted as Lead consultant on this DFAT-funded project based out of Port Vila in Vanuatu that required the development of Technical Training Manuals for safety regulators in the disciplines of Flight Operations and Airworthiness for technical inspectors. Activities performed during the course of the project included the development of technical surveillance manuals.

This World Bank funded project formed part of the Pacific Aviation Investment Program was based out of the Kingdom of Tonga and sought to explore options for Regional Aviation Supply & Long-Term Sustainability of Regional Aviation Infrastructure. Prof Ron Bartsch AM fulfilled the responsibilities of Team Leader and aviation legal and regulatory specialist. The activities performed included a study of the options for the regional aviation market to consider including the current and future travel demand patterns in the region, for passengers and freight, and the types of aviation services that would be most appropriate to meet these demands.

This major Pacific Islands project involving six Avlaw consultants required the development of a consistent regulatory framework for RPAS (including legislation, policies and procedures) that is compliant with ICAO SARPs across all 10 PASO member states.

Avlaw’s Founder and Chairman Prof. Ron Bartsch AM was the legal and regulatory specialist on this IOS Partners project based out of Port Vila in Vanuatu. The Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy objective was to create a pathway to long-term safe and sustainable development of the aviation system. Ministers were invited to ‘agree in principle’ on a Vision, Goals, and initial priority areas to guide nominated Senior Officials, supported by PASO, to develop the Strategy.

Airline Safety and compliance audits have been conducted of Air Vanuatu, Nauru Airlines and Air Niugini and various general aviation fixed wing and helicopter operators. Audits have been conducted in accordance with various standards and legislative requirements including the Flight Safety Foundation’s BARS Program, local civil aviation law and Australian and New Zealand regulatory requirements.

This ICAO funded project involved Professor Ron Bartsch AM and two other specialists conducting a legal and technical review of the PASO Member States including in-country visits and meeting with Government Ministers and aviation regulators in Cook Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Vanuatu. The legal review included an assessment of each State’s capacity to administer a civil aviation system and their ability to comply with international ICAO standards. Essentially the technical review required a top-level assessment of the airlines, airports and air traffic control organisations in each State and assess the work required by PASO to assist each State to comply with their ICAO standards obligations.