A Word or Two from Keith Manch - Director and CEO, CAA - What does CAA do?

We met Keith at the last Flying NZ Conference and after hearing him speak we asked if he could contribute an article for us to publish for you. He accepted with a smile.

We often hear grumbles about CAA, especially as they are a regulatory authority. However, whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, CAA is essential for all our safety in aviation. Essentially, they save us from ourselves. Too many people (and companies) feel they know better and will try to do things ‘their way’ - as if they know better than the rest of us. Often with deadly or tragic results.

When you are in control of a passenger aircraft that can have a closing speed of up to 2000kph when encountering a similarly powerful aircraft, it is more than comforting to know that both crews know what should be happening. It is also comforting to know that the maintenance of said aircraft is up to the job at hand - and as recent events have shown, that the design of the aircraft and its systems are also up to the job.

Equally, thinking of those same events, we have seen what happens when a regulatory body steps back from its responsibilities and leaves aviation participants to their own devices…putting far too much faith and trust in those who are out to make a profit.

Keith joined the Authority from Maritime NZ, and brings strong experience as a regulator to the Authority, along with considerable experience as a Chief Executive, and in leading culture change programmes.

Keith brings a robust understanding of regulating complex systems, and keenly appreciates the importance of maintaining safety and security in New Zealand’s aviation system.

Over to you, Keith 👍

Keith Manch

When you search Pauwels Flying Scholarship Blog it comes up with this statement:
“A series of entertaining stories from some of our crew contributors. Just the thing to make a chilly day warmer and set your mood alight!”

As the Director of Civil Aviation - the industry regulator - you might question whether what I write will be entertaining, make a chilly day warmer, or set your mood alight – in a positive way at least!

If you can get past those initial thoughts, please do read on. The aviation regulatory system is like the air you breathe as an aviation participant. It’s all around you and you literally can’t escape it, and neither I venture to suggest, would you want to.

It goes without saying that aviation has risks – yet it’s one of the safest forms of transport. That’s a product of years of regulation, built on years of human endeavour, trial and error – and times when it wouldn’t have been possible to claim that aviation was one of the safest forms of transport.

While aviation has evolved, so has societal expectation. Experimentation and the evolution of aviation is generally subject to more scrutiny and less tolerance for the error part of ‘trial and error’. Regulation has taken on even more prominence in this context.

While regulation is a political activity – in the sense that the amount and style of regulation is finally determined by the people we elect into Parliament – in aviation it’s even more so a product of the work of people who’ve worked in aviation who themselves have a high expectation of safe operation.

Aviation regulation is highly technical and as such needs experienced aviation people involved in designing and implementing it. You can see this if you attend a meeting at the International Civil Aviation Organization where the international standards are set, or if you walk into an aviation authority anywhere in the world. Sure, there are many non-aviators who bring a range of skills necessary to achieve the overall safety and security outcomes of regulation – like policy analysts, lawyers, communications people; and people who make organisations work like property specialists, accountants, reception people, and human resources practitioners.

But the core of aviation regulation, both at the design and operational level, is very much influenced and delivered by aviation people.

So we all get to live another day.

Why am I writing about this – apart from the fact that as a regulator, I’m short of entertaining stories? The answer is that, if you’re starting your aviation career, pay attention to what the regulator does – at some stage down the track you might find it interesting to bring your knowledge and experience into the regulatory dimension of aviation. It’s a different way of applying hard won skills and experience that makes a difference.

If you happen to meet a ‘regulator’ – whether that’s one of our Aviation Safety Advisors or an Airworthiness Inspector – have a chat. Find out where they came from, what drives them and why they’ve chosen to ‘switch sides’ from industry to the regulator. You’ll find some amazing stories, and highly likely some entertaining anecdotes, and you’ll recognise a sense of purpose greater than doing a specific aviation role well.

Our people have an unerring commitment to aviation safety because they’re committed to aviation as part of their life – not just as a job. Being a regulator is often about giving back to an industry that has given you so much.

Of course, I’m not an aviator – I’m a regulator. But my connection is similar in that context. I’ve worked in a wide range of regulatory domains - including consumer protection, product safety, gambling, real estate, maritime and now aviation - and found a rewarding life in doing so.

I’m privileged to now ply my craft in aviation, which is one of the most exciting areas I’ve worked in, and one that’s both traditional and incredibly dynamic at the same time.

I love the challenge and opportunity of influencing behaviour to reduce risks – which is the essence of regulatory activity. It literally saves lives. The decision-making that’s required to make sure regulators choose the ‘right tool’ to influence behaviour, ensure lessons are learned and hold people accountable where that’s necessary –
all with an eye to the principles of just culture – is demanding.

This is especially the case when everyone has a view about what the right decision should have been!

Thanks for reading this – and while a time when you might want to try a different aspect of aviation from the one that got you reading this blog, might be a long time away – keep the regulatory domain in mind as a place where you can ‘give back’ at the right time in your career.