[Peetwo]

Performance of ASA - Take two.


Well today is either D-day for Airservices Australia or a further thumbing of noses by the silver-tailed, un-elected, bureaucratic, trough-swillers of the Senate, & in particular the now aviation savvy members of the RRAT Committee. Will some of the parasitic ASA executive team walk the green mile or will the RRAT Committee (& the Senate) be relegated forever to obscurity as the wet lettuce crew unable to live up to the Senate remit of the House of review, transparency & public accountability...

To begin there has been a last minute change to the agenda with Dick Smith appearing to give evidence:

Performance of Airservices Australia

PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Committee Room 2S3

Parliament House, Canberra

5.00 pm Airservices Australia

Mr Jason Harfield, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mr Paul Logan, Acting Chief Financial Officer
Ms Mairi Barton, Executive General Manager, Corporate and Industry Affairs
Mrs Michelle Bennetts, Executive General Manager, Aviation Rescue and Fire
Fighting
Mr Andrew Boyd, Executive General Manager, People and Culture
Mr Greg Hood, Executive General Manager, Air Traffic Control
Mr Mark Rodwell, Executive General Manager, Projects and Engineering
Dr Rob Weaver, Executive General Manager, Safety Environment and Assurance

7.00 pm Mr Dick Smith AC

8.00 pm Adjournment of hearing
       

Here is a link for Dick's submission - sub2_Dick Smith

Conclusion

In a letter I sent to Minister Warren Truss, on 5 August 2015 (Attachment 8), I lamented the languishing of our aviation industry in Australia and the unquantifiable loss to our country of the opportunities that an otherwise viable, prosperous and growing aviation industry would provide to present and future generations.

Airservices’ determination to pursue policies that provide an economic benefit to their organisation and to the major airlines in this country to the detriment of the general aviation industry in Australia is an abject failure by Airservices to meet its obligations to these stakeholders. The result of such policies will inevitably be the diminishing of, and the very substantial damage to, the viability of our general aviation industry.

Yours faithfully

Dick Smith AC


Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 14 July 2015 (1 page)

Attachment 2 – ADS-B Regulation Impact Statement (“RIS”) (27 pages)

Attachment 3 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 27 August 2014 (1 page)

Attachment 4 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 28 August 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 5 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 1 July 2014 (1 page)

Attachment 6 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 28 August 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 7 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 19 December 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 8 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 5 August 2015 (1 page)

So for those interested please tune in from 17:00 EST today.. - Watch Parliament

MTF...P2

[Peetwo]

Performance of ASA - Take two.


Well today is either D-day for Airservices Australia or a further thumbing of noses by the silver-tailed, un-elected, bureaucratic, trough-swillers of the Senate, & in particular the now aviation savvy members of the RRAT Committee. Will some of the parasitic ASA executive team walk the green mile or will the RRAT Committee (& the Senate) be relegated forever to obscurity as the wet lettuce crew unable to live up to the Senate remit of the House of review, transparency & public accountability...

To begin there has been a last minute change to the agenda with Dick Smith appearing to give evidence:

Performance of Airservices Australia

PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Committee Room 2S3

Parliament House, Canberra

5.00 pm Airservices Australia

Mr Jason Harfield, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mr Paul Logan, Acting Chief Financial Officer
Ms Mairi Barton, Executive General Manager, Corporate and Industry Affairs
Mrs Michelle Bennetts, Executive General Manager, Aviation Rescue and Fire
Fighting
Mr Andrew Boyd, Executive General Manager, People and Culture
Mr Greg Hood, Executive General Manager, Air Traffic Control
Mr Mark Rodwell, Executive General Manager, Projects and Engineering
Dr Rob Weaver, Executive General Manager, Safety Environment and Assurance

7.00 pm Mr Dick Smith AC

8.00 pm Adjournment of hearing
       

Here is a link for Dick's submission - sub2_Dick Smith

Conclusion

In a letter I sent to Minister Warren Truss, on 5 August 2015 (Attachment 8), I lamented the languishing of our aviation industry in Australia and the unquantifiable loss to our country of the opportunities that an otherwise viable, prosperous and growing aviation industry would provide to present and future generations.

Airservices’ determination to pursue policies that provide an economic benefit to their organisation and to the major airlines in this country to the detriment of the general aviation industry in Australia is an abject failure by Airservices to meet its obligations to these stakeholders. The result of such policies will inevitably be the diminishing of, and the very substantial damage to, the viability of our general aviation industry.

Yours faithfully

Dick Smith AC


Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 14 July 2015 (1 page)

Attachment 2 – ADS-B Regulation Impact Statement (“RIS”) (27 pages)

Attachment 3 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 27 August 2014 (1 page)

Attachment 4 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 28 August 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 5 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 1 July 2014 (1 page)

Attachment 6 – Dick Smith Letter to Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston dated 28 August 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 7 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 19 December 2014 (2 pages)

Attachment 8 – Dick Smith Letter to Minister Warren Truss dated 5 August 2015 (1 page)

So for those interested please tune in from 17:00 EST today.. - Watch Parliament

MTF...P2

A blast from the past on some of the issues to be discussed this evening: Hansard - RURAL AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - 28/05/2009 - Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Senator HEFFERNAN —We will get to that. Just for background, in the first half of 2007 the government moved the responsibility of airspace allocation and regulation from Airservices Australia to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Do you agree with that?

Mr Cromarty —We took the power from Airservices on 1 July.

Senator HEFFERNAN —This was under the Airspace Act 2007. This act says:
As provided for by Section 11A of the Civil Aviation Act—

Do you know what it says?

Mr Cromarty —Section 11A of the Civil Aviation Act deals with the safety aspects of—

Senator HEFFERNAN —It says that:
… CASA must exercise its powers and perform its functions in a manner consistent with this Policy.Statement.

Correct?

Mr Cromarty —Yes.

Senator HEFFERNAN —The policy statement attached, which you have, signed by Mark Vaile on 28 June 2007, on page 5 clearly states:

The National Airspace System

In 2002 the Australian Government instituted a reform process where Australian airspace management would be modelled on the US National Airspace System (NAS). This was to align our airspace classification system with the ICAO system and also to model our system on the proven US system.

The National Airspace System changes have brought benefits to aviation in Australia, and the Government remains committed to its reform objectives, particularly greater flexibility and the allocation of air traffic management services on the basis of risk.

Are you happy with that?

Mr Cromarty —Yes.

Senator HEFFERNAN —In the Australian airspace policy document, on page 19, which lists the safety priorities of the government, which was given to you nearly two years ago, it says:

NAS The National Airspace System used in the United States and which has been adopted as the model for reform of the Australian airspace system since 2002.

Could you confirm that that is still the government’s policy?

Mr Cromarty —That is correct, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN —I refer to the Australian Airspace Policy Statement, 28 June 2007, under the signature of Mark Vaile. Is the NAS policy as listed in this document still the policy CASA is acting on?

Mr Cromarty —Senator, can I just clarify that? Are you talking about this particular document?

Senator HEFFERNAN —The 2007 Mark Vaile document.

Mr Cromarty —Sorry, what is your question?

Senator HEFFERNAN —Is the National Airspace System as listed in that document still the policy CASA is operating on?

Mr Cromarty —Yes, that is correct.

Senator HEFFERNAN —Which is the US system?

Mr Cromarty —It depends how you—

Senator HEFFERNAN —The US system, I am aware, is changing to satellite from ground.

Mr McCormick —I am new to this position—but that is not to say I am not responsible for it. This document does say it will be modelled on the US system; it does not say we will adopt the US system. There are a few other issues, I think, particularly on page 15 of the document to which you refer—the airspace policy statement signed by the Hon. Mark Vaile—which says:

5.5 How major changes to airspace will be made

… These steps will include:

• risk management analysis consistent with the CASA Risk Management System and the Common Risk Management Framework (see below);
  
  

And there are further references to that common risk management framework. My own inquiries have discovered that that common risk management framework has never reached a final version.

Senator HEFFERNAN —This document has, by and large, been ignored. Paragraph 5.4 on page 15 of the policy statement says:

The Government expects CASA to establish a work programme that is inclusive of the Government’s priorities for airspace reform to progress NAS implementation as outlined in this Statement.

Is that fair enough? CASA established this work program and is it clearly to progress the NAS reforms?

Mr McCormick —Yes, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN —Can we have a copy of those documents?

Mr Cromarty —Yes, Senator. We have supplied them to the minister as well.

Senator HEFFERNAN —So you can supply them to us?
Mr Cromarty —Yes.

Senator HEFFERNAN —When is it planned to have the NAS reforms completed?

Mr Cromarty —Senator, the airspace policy statement, as Mr McCormick has just pointed out, is not, ‘Do NAS; copy the United States system.’ It is, ‘Do NAS, subject to analytical process and cost-benefit analysis.’ And I would draw your attention to paragraph 5.2 on page 14, where it says:
Future stages of the NAS will be implemented subject to the results of an enhanced analytical process, including cost-benefit …

That is what we have been doing.

Senator HEFFERNAN —On page 19 of the policy statement it states:
The Government has determined a number of NAS airspace reform priorities that it wishes CASA to pursue over the period 1 July 2007 to 31 December 2008.
Do you agree with that?

Mr Cromarty —Yes, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN —
In line with the Statement of Expectations issued to CASA on 12 March 2007, CASA is to develop a detailed implementation programme for these reform priorities for submission to the Minister by 30 September 2007.

Mr Cromarty —Yes, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN —Was this submission of a detailed implementation program given to the minister by 30 September 2007?

Mr Cromarty —It was, Senator, yes.

There was also a QON on this:

Question No.: CASA 03


Division/Agency: Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Topic: CASA Statement of Expectations

Hansard Page: 70 (28/05/09)

Senator Heffernan asked:

Senator HEFFERNAN—In line with the Statement of Expectations issued to CASA on
12 March 2007, CASA is to develop a detailed implementation programme for these reform
priorities for submission to the Minister by 30 September 2007.

Mr Cromarty—Yes, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN—Was this submission of a detailed implementation program given
to the Minister by 30 September 2007?

Mr Cromarty—It was, Senator, yes.

Senator HEFFERNAN—Can you provide the details of how and the fact that it was handed
over then?

Mr Cromarty—Yes, Senator.

Senator HEFFERNAN—Confirmation by way of paperwork.

Answer:

The Office of Airspace Regulation developed a work programme to address the Minister’s
Statement of Expectations. This was provided to Minister Vaile on 28 September 2007 by
way of Ministerial Submission.

CASA 02 (PDF 68KB) - OAR work programme to address the Minister’s SOE.
MTF...P2

[thorn bird]

"Future stages of the NAS will be implemented subject to the results of an enhanced analytical process, including cost-benefit …"

Dontcha luv the weasel words??
For "Enhanced" read...extended overseas sabbatical. (On full allowances of course)
For "Cost benefit" read...the costs all theirs the benefits all our's!!

[thorn bird]

Ohhh Jeeez,
talk about a target rich environment.senate estimates!!..p2 WHERE ARE YOU!!!Hey Aunty Stars!!!mentioned in dispatches!!
There were more a'holes sucking up leather than in a queue at the abattoirs!!
Well done that man Dick, well done!!

[Peetwo]

Ohhh Jeeez,
talk about a target rich environment.senate estimates!!..p2 WHERE ARE YOU!!!Hey Aunty Stars!!!mentioned in dispatches!!
There were more a'holes sucking up leather than in a queue at the abattoirs!!
Well done that man Dick, well done!!

Working on it thorny give us time and yes GOLD by Dick pure GOLD...

[Peetwo]

Ohhh Jeeez,
talk about a target rich environment.senate estimates!!..p2 WHERE ARE YOU!!!Hey Aunty Stars!!!mentioned in dispatches!!
There were more a'holes sucking up leather than in a queue at the abattoirs!!
Well done that man Dick, well done!!

Will take time to get the Dick segment to video but here is a couple of segments of interest...

First there was this golden moment from Senator Edwards who basically read the ASA Executive numb-nuts the riot Act...

Then there was the reference to Aunty Pru to which you referred thorny...

Who'd of thought, apparently we're a 'whistleblower' site...

Definitely MTF...P2

[Kharon]

Blood sports and leaky boats.

You know how the teams gallop onto the paddock, fireworks and nubile young ladies shaking their pom-poms as the warriors crash through the big banner to roar of the crowd.  Then part way through the game someone gets caught at the bottom of a ruck, where old scores are settled, the recipient lugged off the field on a golf cart.  Never though I’d see it in a civilised place like Parliament house, but I did.

This Harfie fellah pranced on, full of vim and brimming with confidence until about ten minutes in.  He started by trying to convince the Senators that he was the saviour of ASA and was the righteous choice for the ’big job’; he ain’t of course, just good at the brown nose some and bully others game which needs to be played if you want the top job.  Staib leaving and Clark ‘resigning’ left the scent of blood and guts in the water, enter the sharks.  The grandiose swaggering bully failed to impress the Senators. Heff summed it up best with ‘been at it’ 25 years’ quip; it was game on from then.  Got the feeling Harfie thought the ‘he’ should be allowed some latitude on account of being wonderful, all fresh and new.  Wrong.

The Senate forwards too strong for the pitiful opposition; hard to pick a man of the match but Edwards, Gallacher, Sterle had outstanding games, but there were some less obvious flashes of brilliance from the rest.  Man of the Match decision has been deferred until the third referee has seen all the replays.

Then we had the Dick Smith hour, during which more was accomplished in 60 short minutes for the cause of aviation than CASA have achieved in 25 long, tedious, risible years.  Bravo Dick, well done and thankyou.  

For me, the three hours were well spent.  My only complaint is that there are not two more sequels, one for ATSB and one for CASA.  The public can now see how badly the ASA have treated their ‘their’ money. I wonder what will they make of the dreadful way their safety is treated and of the terrible waste and carnage inflicted on aviation enterprise.

PS. Glen, Aunty is not a whistle blower; the noise you here is that of the Houseboat fog horn as she leaves the dock and steams off to work.

Toot toot.

(Has Hoody been crook? Not his usual self, perhaps a bad Mochito at the toga party).

[Gobbledock]

Of top 10 clients, pineapples and red ties

Indeed some interesting snippets starting to eek out from tonight's senate party in Can'tberra. I can't wait to see the journalistic style breakdown from P2, Ben and 'that man' over the coming days  

Firstly, Mr Harfields 'power tie' failed! The red tie didn't help him ooze power and authority. Oh no, it was more like a red rag to a bull. The good Senators were the bull, and they charged him and gouged him with skill. In fact it was more like Spain's running with the bulls because there were a few of the ASA crew on the run, trying to escape the Senators gouging, Logan included. In fact Harfield and Logan stammered and stuttered like our super sleuth Beaker does! Perhaps the three of them will bring out a Muppet Xmas album in December?

Secondly, I've never heard a bigger load of shite in all my life from a CEO. If that is the best ASA can do then we are truly in deep shit (no, not dipshit, I said deep shit). Mad ramblings about CAPEX, world class safety, transparency blah blah puke blah. Total folly. And watch out ASA workforce, your new boss wants to squeeze an extra pint of blood out of you in an effort to stem the organisations profit dip! Perhaps he should start with overpaid consultants, executive salaries and obscene bonuses within an organisation that can't manage it's money even though it is a monopoly!

Thirdly, then came the waffle we were all expecting in regards to those 'classified' documents. Herr Harfield came out with the old chestnut - 'they were DRAFT Board minutes', not the final document. Of course they were Jason, no doubt  you will produce a final version that is completely different to the draft version, yes? And where was Frau Staib? What about An(g)us, where was he, off flogging water to Canadians or conducting an orchestral symphony with Andrea Rieu or perhaps Metallica? No big surprise in the fact that An(g)us was hiding as usual, it's what he does best!

Fourthly, "top 10 clients"! Harfield seemed a little stuck with that one and attempted to throw to Mr Logan's Run. They all stumbled along and didn't know how to answer because their top 10 clients are in fact their own executives salaries and bonuses! Priorities boys and girls priorities!

And finally we had the mention of AuntyPru and the 'draft Board document', we shall call this 'AuntyPru-gate'. If the document was just a silly draft and not the finished product, why bother calling in Officer Plod to investigate? Aren't the AFP also operating on a shoestring budget? Is the investigation a wise use of taxpayer money considering the perilous state of the Australian economy, so they keep telling us? Haven't the AFP got better things to do such as chasing down rogue towel heads like Man Monis, drinking coffee in our international terminal coffee shops or nailing naughty ASA Managers for fraudulent activities?
I believe the excitement around the AuntyPru document is easily explained - During an apple bobbing session in a taxpayer trough one of ASA's execs left the document beside the trough. So many trough delights were consumed that a bloated executive passed some turgid rectal gas and the force of the emission blew the paperwork down the isle from Row 1A to the cattle class section on the business class flight to Montreal. An off duty Journo, or perhaps a mascara wearing male flight attendant then mailed said document to the offices of AuntyPru, disguised as toilet paper! Eventually said paper was used appropriately! 

Anyway, will leave it at that for now, we haven't even started discussing Dick's superb work, utterly priceless!
Can't wait to see the rest of the notes from Hands-hard once it has been transcribed!  

Gobbles

Addendum for 'K';

(Has Hoody been crook? Not his usual self, perhaps a bad Mochito at the toga party).

Quite possibly yes in regards to the mochito, but old mate had a heart operation a few weeks ago so that might explain why his spark was missing. Most likely he has a sick note from the doctor which says 'no robust debate with Senators, no toga parties and no looking at firemen calendars for 12 weeks'.

Rest up Hoody and get well soon. Gobbles and the boys are rooting for you, so to speak.

[Peetwo]

Dick Smith breaks down the MOAS... (MOAS - mystique of aviation safety)

kharon: ..Then we had the Dick Smith hour, during which more was accomplished in 60 short minutes for the cause of aviation than CASA have achieved in 25 long, tedious, risible years.  Bravo Dick, well done and thankyou..

Gobbles: ..Anyway, will leave it at that for now, we haven't even started discussing Dick's superb work, utterly priceless!

Can't wait to see the rest of the notes from Hands-hard once it has been transcribed!..  

  
Yes indeed Dick did himself proud and one can certainly see why it was that Dick Smith electronics was so successful, his marketability and oratory skills in delivering a message is formidable - God help Tony Abbott if Dick really does run against him in the next election.

Anyway the Hansard could take a while to be released, so in the meantime here is the Dick Smith session in pictures...

MTF...P2
  

[Cap'n Wannabe]

Now that made some *very* interesting viewing. I have to ask, though (and pardon my ignorance..) what is the expected outcome of these hearings? Will there be any pressure brought to bear on the minister, or any of the underlings running the show? Or is it all full of sound and music, but ultimately signifying nothing?

[Gobbledock]

Of dispensations, mates rates, 1930's systems and impact statements.....

Folks I watched Dicks performance live via streaming yesterday and it was magnificent. Well done that man!! Now I had trouble accessing the links to it again tonight on AuntyPru, so if you have any issues you can go directly to Poohtube and find it all uploaded there as well.

Dick raised many any valid points, most we will discuss over the coming weeks, but some salient points he highlighted were;

- The tail is wagging the dog. CAsA is pussy whipped by ASA and is powerless to stop it.

- OneSky is a ridiculous waste of money and ultimately it is a giant lemon under the current air service system.

- Dick highlighted how ex RAAF mentality is running CAsA and ASA to the detriment of the country and as a result is keeping us in the dark ages.

- Dick highlights the hypocrisy of how ASA have given dispensations to RAAF aircraft not to be fitted out with ADSB due to the onerous costs yet small operators are being forced out of business, going broke or mortgaging houses to pay for equipment upgrades to their aircraft to comply with the need to have a piece of equipment that adds no tangible benefits!!

- Impact statement. Dick highlighted how the report is complete bollocks and is stacked in a way that shows only benefits to users. The report doesn't highlight that GA is being driven into extinction and that the costs associated with ADSB compliance and increased costs due to OneSky charges is quite simply belting our GA sector out of the ball park.

My overall impression is that Dick did a brilliant job and is absolutely one of the best hands-on Ambassadors to Australian aviation that we have seen in decades. It is so so obvious that people like Skid-Mark, Houston, Pumpkin Head and others are completely out of touch, disconnected and disengaged from the real world. As a result of that they are contributing, perhaps by default, to the complete destruction of GA, the strangling of operators by way of regulation overload and the financial raping of businesses in fees, charges, applications, compliance costs etc etc.

How much longer til the bubble completely bursts? Tick tock

[Kharon]

Now that made some *very* interesting viewing.  I have to ask, though (and pardon my ignorance..) what is the expected outcome of these hearings?  Will there be any pressure brought to bear on the minister, or any of the underlings running the show?  Or is it all full of sound and music, but ultimately signifying nothing?

That is the $660,000,000 question ain’t it.   IMO it’s a foregone conclusion, somewhere in the PAIN library is a list of inquiries, reports, commissions etc. from the past quarter century.  All done by Senates of various stripe and colour; none of which have made the slightest bit of difference.  There have been brief flashes of hope, where rules and attitudes were, for brief periods, changed; short lived though they were.

In recent times we have seen CASA, ATSB and now ASA exposed and publicly humiliated, their collective aberrations clearly defined; we have even seen sensible reform proposed and sanctioned by a Minister.  All window dressing.

Meanwhile, in real life, Wodger, Beaker and most of the other bandits happily continue to reek havoc, create mayhem, ignore the law in favour of personal policy and preference.  Do exactly as they bloody well please, unhindered, unfettered, with total immunity.    

Jane Halton (from the excellent Mandarin) “So people decide that there is a particular requirement, a compliance requirement, which appears nowhere in any chief executive instructions or any piece of legislation, and then it becomes a matter of holy writ that you have to do something this particular way.”

“So whilst we are going to do things about the rules, and the red tape in the rules, [this is] one of the messages I’m giving my colleagues. And in fact I’m talking about this in my department, because I have found a number of examples of this in my department.”

CASA have taken this to ridiculous lengths – both ways – to ease the way for favourites and decimate those less liked.  

Is change coming? Probably, the but just to cover the tracks, there is no hope of reform, just better avoidance of criticism and arse covering tactics. 

I'll own that is was a very entertaining evening; the Senators know the answers to those questions, they are well briefed.  What happens next?  –well,  you pays your money and takes your chances; that’s what..

Toot toot  - Oh, and welcome to AP..... ...

[Peetwo]

Now that made some *very* interesting viewing.  I have to ask, though (and pardon my ignorance..) what is the expected outcome of these hearings?  Will there be any pressure brought to bear on the minister, or any of the underlings running the show?  Or is it all full of sound and music, but ultimately signifying nothing?

That is the $660,000,000 question ain’t it.   IMO it’s a foregone conclusion, somewhere in the PAIN library is a list of inquiries, reports, commissions etc. from the past quarter century.  All done by Senates of various stripe and colour; none of which have made the slightest bit of difference.  There have been brief flashes of hope, where rules and attitudes were, for brief periods, changed; short lived though they were.

In recent times we have seen CASA, ATSB and now ASA exposed and publicly humiliated, their collective aberrations clearly defined; we have even seen sensible reform proposed and sanctioned by a Minister.  All window dressing.

Meanwhile, in real life, Wodger, Beaker and most of the other bandits happily continue to reek havoc, create mayhem, ignore the law in favour of personal policy and preference.  Do exactly as they bloody well please, unhindered, unfettered, with total immunity.    

Jane Halton (from the excellent Mandarin) “So people decide that there is a particular requirement, a compliance requirement, which appears nowhere in any chief executive instructions or any piece of legislation, and then it becomes a matter of holy writ that you have to do something this particular way.”

“So whilst we are going to do things about the rules, and the red tape in the rules, [this is] one of the messages I’m giving my colleagues. And in fact I’m talking about this in my department, because I have found a number of examples of this in my department.”

CASA have taken this to ridicules lengths – both ways – to ease the way for favourites and decimate those less liked.  

Is change coming? Probably, the but just to cover the tracks, there is no hope of reform, just better avoidance of criticism and arse covering tactics... 

Sadly Ferryman so..so true and if you look at the embuggerance case of Mr Cho Rodgers, that was the subject of the Xenophon/Sterle/Heffernan MOP, then it becomes obvious that the contempt, arrogance & attitude that the CASA/ASA & ATSB executive have for parliamentary process knows no bounds...

More on this and the Stevie Easton Mandarin article that kharon quotes from here, very soon because IMO we need to call out the King (M&M) Mandarin & the Department that he rules, as either incompetent or acting contrary to the public & industry interest.

For now there is much to sift through with the ASA performance inquiry set to continue, probably with the calling of certain members of the Board to a further public hearing.

Tabled the other evening :-

Documents tabled at a public hearing in Canberra on 18 August 2015. &..

Additional information received from Airservices Australia on 18 August 2015.

Here is the part (along with add info link) that I think Senator Bullock etc. were referring to when discussing the probity measures in place for the OneSKY project.. 



However that still leaves the QON by Senator Bullock on where is the documented evidence that the bureaucratic, weasel-worded, probity measures were adhered to??

In terms of the Dick Smith session there is much discussion amongst the PAIN/IOS associates. As an example here is an excellent email reply from Sandy Reith...

..Dick on the record does a great service to GA. It behoves all of us to publicise the totally unnecessary destruction of what should be a healthy Aussie industry. 


There have been those who may have thought that a strict regime would provide a marginal increase in safety. I dispute this concept, with modern avionics such as synthetic vision coupled with recency (healthy industry) and a suite of real time flight information unheard of twenty years ago, there is every reason to realise a greater degree of safety in GA than ever before. 

In any event don't we progress by being a free country? This is certainly the country that I would prefer both for myself and my children and grandchildren. Personal responsibility should rightly be the prerogative of the individual, most private GA flying does not impinge upon the interests of the public at large.

The 'independent government business unit' of CASA and ASA is a fatality flawed concept. Firstly they are virtually unaccountable and secondly 'user pays' with no competition is a complete nonsense. It is now proven to cost the taxpayer and the health of the nation dearly, irrespective of the exorbitant fees collected. ASA is down the drain even as the monopoly provider. CASA talked Minister Albanese into an extra $89.9 million increase in fuel excise, a special one off four year job for 'safety' somethings, a 40% increase in staff results, Minister Truss rolls it on and not a peep is heard. 

Meanwhile, out there in real land.....faint cries in the distance....

Industry is swamped in the latest quagmire and more likely sinking in the quicksands of Part 61. As Dick said half a million moves at BK 20 years ago, a dismal 270k now in spite of population and wealth growth.

Sandy

 
& the Ferryman response to that (& above) sums it up (slightly edited for sensitive info)..

"..Dick is indeed to be congratulated and thanked.  But how is his contribution to be transmogrified into "CHANGE".   Every time there is an opportunity the industry weighs in, provides excellent, professional analysis and options to the govt.  Countless man hours spent drafting submissions etc.   But nothing ever changes, except the stranglehold tightens..   

..Lets hope ASA are the catalyst.  Bravo Dick, well done and thankyou.."

Hmm...'no comment'    

MTF hopefully with the Hansard very soon...P2

[Kharon]

The Ministers elephant.

We have tried hard to rehabilitate this particular beast; without success.  Shortly after the Easter break DOIT2YA stamped down the enclosure and returned to his favourite place; parked in the doorway to the Ministers office.   There is now quite a long queue trying to get past the Minister's elephant.  

DOIT2YA (Merde for short) This beast used to belong to a crown Minister at one time; alas no longer.  We keep this one isolated as it has rogue tendencies and cannot be trusted in the general population, without strict supervision.  We are still seeking effective help for the deep seated problems, without much luck and even less success. 

One serious problem is there are great steaming piles of elephant mess which keep growing as DOIT2YA mates contribute; there is the ASA pile, the CASA pile and the ATSB pile, all blocking the public access.  The Minister uses a private entrance so he sees little mess and those barricading the public access take care to ensure the private suite is kept stench free.

It has been many years now since a Minister looked into the waiting room; last time it happened, so shocked was he that things actually changed; well, for a short while at least.The AOPA analysis which went to then Minister John Anderson so shocked that he sent it off to NTSB for verification. NTSB verified it as correct, with the comment that it was just a compilation of publicly available statistics, clearly presented.  Recently published figures suggest the GA  accident rate in Oz  v. the USA, is now about three times greater, a major deterioration; and, you may note it was effectively forecast in the 'Brunker' report.

The experiment has failed; the huge ASA pile has been exposed; the ATSB mess is growing to alarming proportions and the heap of both old and new CASA detritus is beyond description.  But you don’t have to listen to us or read my twiddles; look at the Hansard video from any recent estimates session, your own Senators are showing you where the pooh is piled up.

These are your elephants Minister and ultimately you and you alone are responsible for cleaning up the damage; a moribund aviation industry; airfares increased due Govt. wasteful spending, the reports on why an accident happened nugatory, the lessons un-heeded; or, perhaps even a major aviation incident.  All pointed out in graphic detail with only one man failing to act responsibly.  Imagine the headlines –“Minister fails to act, despite full knowledge”. The minister responsible for Aviation failed to heed industry and Senate warning of ………………………………..(pick your own topic).

Toot toot. 

[Gobbledock]

The Ferryman said;

"These are your elephants Minister and ultimately you and you alone are responsible for cleaning up the damage; a moribund aviation industry; airfares increased due Govt. wasteful spending, the reports on why an accident happened nugatory, the lessons un-heeded; or, perhaps even a major aviation incident.  All pointed out in graphic detail with only one man failing to act responsibly.  Imagine the headlines –“Minister fails to act, despite full knowledge”. The minister responsible for Aviation failed to heed industry and Senate warning"

My thoughts entirely Kharon. Well said.
So many risks have now been identified it makes you wonder why the Miniscule continues to play ostrich? He should hope for his sake that no large commercial Australian aircraft eats a mountain while he is still DPM!

Of interest to me is how there are strict management skills requirements in our industry when it comes to a HAAMC, CP, Safety Manager, even the CEO in smaller AOC/COA organisations. A robust system of accountability. Yet the positions/people oversighting the organisations that are equally accountable and are contributing in some way to aviation safety - CAsA, ASA, ATsB so often have nobody with aviation or safety nouse within the  CEO/Directors, GM's, Board members positions. ASA had Russell and Staib and Anus Houston. Some describe them all as greasy pole sliders with nothing else to offer. ATsB has accountant Beaker and some other Neville nobody Commissioners, again with diddly squat to offer. CAsA has had a litany of lawyers or folk without 'civil' aviation experience running the joint, and then of course you have the overarching level where the Pumpkin Heads and Farmers who only understand government policies, spin, trough siphoning and turd polishing are in charge.

So you wonder why our aviation is in a flat spin.....TICK TOCk to those ignoring international audit reports, aviation reviews and expert recommendations!

"Untenable risks for all"

[Peetwo]

Yes well said Ferryman and a choc frog for you Gobbles..

..So many risks have now been identified it makes you wonder why the Miniscule continues to play ostrich? He should hope for his sake that no large commercial Australian aircraft eats a mountain while he is still DPM..

..So you wonder why our aviation is in a flat spin.....TICK TOCk to those ignoring international audit reports, aviation reviews and expert recommendations!

 
..& also to Hitch off the Yaffa, the choc frog is in the mail...

Dick Smith addresses the Senate inquiry into the performance of Airservices Australia on 18 August 2015. (Still from official video)


ADS-B Benefits questioned in Senate Inquiry
21 Aug 2015

Aviation campaigner Dick Smith has questioned Airservices Australia's ADS-B Regulatory Impact Statement [RIS] in front of a Senate inquiry, describing the document as "completely dishonest".

Appearing before the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislative Committee (RRAT) inquiry into Airservices Australia on 18 August, Smith said the mandate to fit ADS-B to IFR aircraft would not provide the cost savings to general aviation stated in the RIS.

"The [RIS] was done six or seven years ago," he said. "It was originally based on the fact that they were going to subsidise general aviation aircraft; they were going to pay for the equipment to go into the general aviation fleet of about 8000 aircraft.

"And that would be the only way you could justify it, because fitting ADS-B equipment has some savings to the airlines when it comes to direct tracking in controlled airspace; that would give them some millions of dollars per year savings, but general aviation really can get no measurable savings out of it."

Senator Nick Xenophon questioned Smith's comments, saying they conflicted with the RIS, which initially claimed that ADS-B would save GA $4.1 million per year in fuel cost.
"The Regulatory Impact Statement is severly flawed," Smith replied. "It is a completely dishonest document."

According to Smith's submission to the inquiry, the cost savings to GA are more likely to be around $200,000 annually, making a total cost position to general aviation of negative $62.2 million.

Smith blamed both Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for hiding the truth about the RIS from Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. Smith also stated that he had spoken to CASA Chairman Jeff Boyd about the RIS, but had not been able to get the document reviewed.

"The problem is, in 18 months time, the requirement comes in that every single aeroplane in Australia that flies in cloud, and that's every little plane that flies at Bourke or Broken Hill or Bathurst ... will have to spend anything between $10-20,000 in fitting this equipment, but they will get no measureable advantage at all because they are in uncontrolled airspace," Smith told the RRAT.

In February 2017, all IFR aircraft in Australia will have to be fitted with ADS-B. Initially, fitting the system to the fleet was to be subsidised from cost savings achieved by decommissioning en route radars. However, several of the radars had to be replaced before ADS-B was installed in Australia, meaning the subsidy didn't go ahead, but the mandate did.

"It is quite clear that the RIS needs to be reviewed and the Committee should recommend this," Smith said in his submission. "Otherwise, significant and potentially permanent economic damage will be inflicted upon the general aviation industry.

"It should be pointed out that this damage will include reduced safety levels as money is redirected from important safety issues - such as more recency flying and replacement of aging aircraft - to expensive ADS-B fitment where there is no measurable safety increase in uncontrolled airspace."

Still no sign of the Hansard, again I'm not sure of the reason for the delay??

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Of Miniscules, mandarins and muppets

Lord Smith said;

"Smith blamed both Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for hiding the truth about the RIS from Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss. Smith also stated that he had spoken to CASA Chairman Jeff Boyd about the RIS, but had not been able to get the document reviewed".

Some food for thought there Miniscule. It would seem that perhaps your lieutenants, likely including Pumpkin Head and the top tier of your alphabet soup agencies, have been taking the Mickey bliss out of you!!!
To be honest Warren (Gobbledock puts on his whisper voice), they've been taking the piss out of you and Miniscules before you for some time now! But it seems that your inaction and ignorance (whether that be willingly or not) is unravelling at a rapid pace. Not a good thing with an election coming up old mate? This thing has the ability to turn even uglier very very quickly. The election date is a long way off and the IOS have much time to kill. So (back to normal voice) I would suggest that you actually, finally and swiftly put an end to all this shit and do what needs to be done. You know what needs to be done. You may not like what needs to be done. You may not want to do what needs to be done. But slowly but surely your being exposed, outed and spotlighted for your not being competent as the Infrastructure Minister, thanks to your out of control henchmen.

Tsk tsk tsk Miniscule, haven't you learned anything after all these years swilling from the trough?? Time to step out of the cow pooh sir and step up to the plate. Well, either that or go down with them on the sinking ship.......

Tick tock

[Kharon]

Spectator sports

Toddled into a favourite local watering hole last evening, game of darts and a cold one or two I reckoned should set me up nicely for the weekend; not the sort of activity to fire the imagination, quite the reverse.  It started quietly enough “watch the ASA last night?” says someone (triple 17 needed so half listened), “Yeah” says the other worthy – “but WTF, no one else but a few public swervents and some aviation folk heard it but the main stream media won’t mention it, seemed pointless to me, no audience worth speaking of”.

My 17’s ended the match and I ambled off to get them in, while waiting it occurred to me, did that really matter?  No, Dick did not need the MSM, or even the small industry audience to win the round, handsomely. I am not sure how many people the Senators represent or the size of audience they can reach, but again the question, does that matter?  Answer, No.  Dick convinced every single solitary one of the Senators that there are serious, far reaching problems in aviation; all created by the public service (or lack thereof).  In short, the people who mattered and could provide the right sort of ‘pressure’ were the audience and they were paying attention.  Channel 7 or the ABC cannot and do not have much sway with the departments, hell, not even the Minister does; but, that Senate committee ‘got it’.

That’s real power delivered where it matters; as Edwards pointed out the entire spectrum of party politics was there, even a Green (what is it with them?).  Now those folk can push, shove, lobby and apply real pressure; the only question remaining is, will they?

Aye well, I got the round in and by the time I got back, the topic had changed, so I stayed quiet and for another hand or two of darts; ain’t it funny the things that rattle about in your head.  Lets hope the message Dick delivered stays with that excellent committee and through the system rattles a few cages, pull a few tails and gets enough weight on the ball to motivate Truss to act.   We can’t, Dick can’t but that committee at least have a fighting chance to get something done; but will they? – well, we shall see.

Toot toot.

[Peter Lovett]

Spectator sports

Toddled into a favourite local watering hole last evening, game of darts and a cold one or two I reckoned should set me up nicely for the weekend; not the sort of activity to fire the imagination, quite the reverse.  It started quietly enough “watch the ASA last night?” says someone (triple 17 needed so half listened), “Yeah” says the other worthy – “but WTF, no one else but a few public swervents and some aviation folk heard it but the main stream media won’t mention it, seemed pointless to me, no audience worth speaking of”.

My 17’s ended the match and I ambled off to get them in, while waiting it occurred to me, did that really matter?  No, Dick did not need the MSM, or even the small industry audience to win the round, handsomely. I am not sure how many people the Senators represent or the size of audience they can reach, but again the question, does that matter?  Answer, No.  Dick convinced every single solitary one of the Senators that there are serious, far reaching problems in aviation; all created by the public service (or lack thereof).  In short, the people who mattered and could provide the right sort of ‘pressure’ were the audience and they were paying attention.  Channel 7 or the ABC cannot and do not have much sway with the departments, hell, not even the Minister does; but, that Senate committee ‘got it’.

That’s real power delivered where it matters; as Edwards pointed out the entire spectrum of party politics was there, even a Green (what is it with them?).  Now those folk can push, shove, lobby and apply real pressure; the only question remaining is, will they?

Aye well, I got the round in and by the time I got back, the topic had changed, so I stayed quiet and for another hand or two of darts; ain’t it funny the things that rattle about in your head.  Lets hope the message Dick delivered stays with that excellent committee and through the system rattles a few cages, pull a few tails and gets enough weight on the ball to motivate Truss to act.   We can’t, Dick can’t but that committee at least have a fighting chance to get something done; but will they? – well, we shall see.

Toot toot.

We already know the answer, unfortunately. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There, got that off my chest. Listen to mainstream media and its nothing but over-paid pundits engaging in mental masturbation about gay marriage, Royal Commission heads, possible losing seats in SA etc etc etc. They can't go beyond the simplistic political manoeuvrings of those we elect to govern because that is all they understand. They totally ignore the fact that the reality of government, the delivery of services to the public, is going down the toilet. Not just aviation but across the board. The mandarins have a free hand so long as it doesn't reflect on their political masters and they absolutely know that.

Until the reality of what is happening is laid at the feet of the politicians, who are avoiding all responsibility, and the public demands blood NOTHING will change. For that to happen the public have to believe that getting on an aircraft carries significant risk. That will not happen until mainstream media believes that. Not 4 Corners, not Insight, not DateLine, but the nightly news on every station has to carry the message and we know the chances of that short of a smoking hole in the ground - NOTHING.

[Kharon]

Aye, ‘tis so young master Lovett; but who’s fault is it, ultimately?  I believe it sheets home to a fractured industry.  The Unions have this problem licked; solidarity is their solution, but even they will not or cannot work with each other.  Once there is division or competition it’s game over.  

The ‘alphabet’ groups will get picked off, one at a time, concession here, exemption there until the majority voice is diluted to a few who are then declared the Ills of Society; everyone else is happy so those complaining are left outside of the winners circle, isolated.  Pacify some of the powerful voices, the weaker follow, the problems are patched with band-aids and the no real reform party continues, unabated, having ironed out the bumps in the road.  

If, and it is a big IF the ‘industry’ could stick together, demand the changes, drive through the regulation changes and insist the Govt. agencies stopped gouging the profits the industry would, almost overnight blossom.

As it stands, the various players are like stray dogs with a bone, grab what they can, slink off to a dark safe place to eat it and fight to death to protect it.  

The Senators have done a magnificent job using the material and resources provided, Dick has carried the case into the domain of the lay man; now it’s up to the industry to take the matter to a conclusion; otherwise, it’s naught but light entertainment.  

I know it’s a bore, and I have said it a hundred times; but the inquiry is just the beginning not the end of it.  Look back only as far as the Rev. Forsyth’s ASRR, why have those recommendations not been actioned? It’s because industry sat back waiting for the changes to be gifted.  The ASRR was the starting whistle not the end siren and the opposition have just scored twice while industry sits on it's arse in the changing rooms, thinking it’s all over. Bollocks.. 

Enough; enough: there is a clear 25 year history being repeated.  Einstein defined madness quite well and we keep proving the formula, again and again and time again.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".


The Ministers elephant.