[Peetwo]

OST at Estimates 05 May 2016 -

   
P2 comment - The tie says it all about just how out of touch with reality this WOFTAM of a DAS truly is - FFS!

Hansard is out and to kick it off here is a link for the CASA segment. 

Before we start reviewing the Skidmore bollocks in detail, I'd like to draw attention to who is missing/added to the usual CASA trough feeder attendees and note how the deckchair shuffling has changed some of the titles : 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority


Mr Mark Skidmore, Chief Executive Officer

Dr Jonathan Aleck, General Manager Legal Affairs, Regulatory Policy and International Strategy Branch - WTF? This confirms the rumour that Flying Fiend has been given the bullet. However apparently FF refused to resign & has subsequently accepted a position in the pencil sharpening cupboard.   
However I don't know what is worse having Anastasi GM of LSD or Dr Hoodoo. IMO JA is far more dangerous than AA and until he has left the building status quo will prevail. 

Mr Graeme Crawford, Aviation Group Manager - addition

Mr Rob Walker, Stakeholder Engagement Group Manager - new ex-ASA.

Ms Tracey Frey, Sustainability Group Manager - new? Must have got the nod over Cheryl Allman 

Mr Simon Frawley, Acting Chief Finance Officer
Mr Roger Weeks, Acting Executive Manager, Standards
Andrew Tiede, Acting Executive Manager, Airspace and Aerodrome Regulation
Mr Gerard Campbell, Executive Manager, Operations - parasite & resident OST chocolate starfish cleaner. 
Mr Craig Jordan, Acting Executive Manager, Industry Permissions

Hmm...besides Hoodoo Voodoo & the new DDAS Crawford it would seem that the NFI parasite and nasty sociopath Herr Campbell is the only one who may have a job after the Skidmore coup (sacrificial deckchair burning) reaches it's climax - FFS!

Ok to the Hansard -

Skidmore's belligerent stance on ADSB -

Senator XENOPHON: If you did not interrupt me, Chair, I would be quicker. Mr Skidmore, I understand there is a rally of general aviation taking place in Tamworth tomorrow. You are probably aware of that.


Mr Skidmore : Yes, I am.


Senator XENOPHON: As I understand it, there are a number of unhappy parties involved in general aviation who are concerned about a number of issues, including the ADS-B.

Has CASA had an opportunity to engage with the various groups that will be at this rally in Tamworth tomorrow?


Mr Skidmore : I am not exactly sure who will be at the rally tomorrow so it is difficult to actually say we have engaged with anyone, but we have engaged with a number of people regarding ADS-B.


Senator XENOPHON: Is there any plan to delay the implementation of ADS-B, given some of the concerns that have been raised in the general aviation community? You are aware of the submission of Dick Smith, of 14 August last year and the evidence that he gave to a Senate inquiry in respect of this?


Mr Skidmore : Currently CASA has no plans to extend or change the mandate that we have for ADS-B.


Senator XENOPHON: But you are aware of the concerns of the financial impact it would have on general aviation.


Mr Skidmore : I am aware that concerns have been raised, yes.


Senator XENOPHON: Have those concerns been tested in any way or have there been attempts to ascertain in CASA's eyes the validity or otherwise of those concerns about the impact of ADS-B on general aviation.


Mr Skidmore : The mandate was set some time ago and a regulation impact statement was made at the time. We have not gone back and revised or updated that, because the mandate was established some time—I think it was in the 2012 sort of time frame.

However, I will say that we have been engaging with avionics companies, getting an understanding of systems that are out there and looking at how costs could be reduced.


Senator XENOPHON: You are aware that we are due to start, I think, well before you New Zealand, for instance, with ADS-B. Is that your understanding?


Mr Skidmore : I would have to check the timing in regard to New Zealand. Ours is 2017. I am aware that the United States is 2020.


Senator XENOPHON: So we are starting three years before the US. I stand to be corrected, but I think New Zealand is due to start a year after the US.


Mr Skidmore : I believe it might be 2021, from memory. But the mandate that has been set was established some time ago, and the consultation that occurred with industry occurred back then in regard to certain in establishing the time frames. I would have to find some of the details regarding.


Senator XENOPHON: Because of time constraints, what has been put to me by a number of people in the general aviation community is that many general aviation operators will hit the wall because of ADS-B, that it will be a significant financial impost and that costs would in all likelihood come down significantly once the US adopted by 2020, so why are we doing this several years earlier than the US, which is going to be the market leader, if you like, in rolling this out?


Mr Skidmore : I would do not think that anyone disagrees that ADS-B is a good system. We are putting it in place and there are already 73, or 75, stations that Air Services has established. The system is up and running. It is already being used. There are a number of people who have already implemented ADS-B. We would be turning around and denying them the benefits of ADS-B if we—


Senator XENOPHON: What proportion of general aviation would have implemented ADS-B, do you think? Can you take that on notice.


Mr Skidmore : Can I just correct—the mandate is for IFR aircraft. That encompasses a number of operators and a number of systems; it is not just general aviation. In regard to the exact numbers of those who have implemented ADS-B in the general aviation space, I would do not have those numbers with me.


Senator XENOPHON: Would you take that on notice.


Mr Skidmore : I can take that on notice.


Senator XENOPHON: Is CASA still open to talking to representatives of the general aviation community about their serious concerns respect of ADS-B.


Mr Skidmore : Anyone can talk to us in regard to asking for an exemption if they can put forward a good safety case, and we are happy to look at it.


Senator XENOPHON: That was not the question. The question was about the implementation date, which many in general aviation fear will be disastrous for general aviation in this country.


Mr Skidmore : CASA has currently said—there is an established mandate in regard to time frame for ADS-B and we have no plans of changing that at this stage.


Senator XENOPHON: Notwithstanding Australia's unique regime and the sort of evidence that Mr Smith gave when he gave evidence.


Mr Skidmore : There are also other arguments they would say that if we waited until America was implementing then they would not be the systems around and the price would go up.


Senator XENOPHON: What, if there is more of it—


Mr Skidmore : No. Because all the systems would be being used and being implemented into systems in America.


Senator XENOPHON: Right, so there has been an analysis of that?


Mr Skidmore : I am just saying there are other arguments that support that.


Senator XENOPHON: Yes, but has that argument been tested as a subject to any analysis to verify that argument, both ways.


Mr Skidmore : Exactly, both ways. I haven't got the argument in regards to the other issues associated with ADS-B, either.


Senator XENOPHON: Have you been invited to attend the Tamworth meeting tomorrow?

Mr Skidmore : No, I have not, Senator.


Senator XENOPHON: I honestly did not know whether you had been invited or not.

This bollocks from Skidmore prompted NX to forward to Ben Morgan this message the following day:

Nick Xenophon to fight for Aviation!

---

I’m sorry I can’t be here today to support you in your fight for a fair go.



Just last night in a Senate Committee I asked CASA director Mr Skidmore why the ADSB requirement could not be delayed until 2021. Mr Skidmore said it would not be delayed, and it may well be cheaper to implement now.



I do not accept this.



I will not stand by and see general aviation being destroyed in Australia with a measure that will have counterproductive effects on safety, as more and more pilots will be forced to fly visually because of the ADSB costs.



I will do everything I can to reverse this destructive requirement, and if I’m back in the senate after July 2, I will move to have this requirement delayed until at least 2021.



Australia needs a strong, viable, general aviation industry – I will work with you, and fight for you in the Federal Parliament to make sure your industry thrives and prospers.





Karina Natt | Media Adviser | Office of Nick Xenophon, Independent Senator for South Australia


Lvl 2/31 Ebenezer Place, Adelaide | M: 0433 620 850 I TEL: 08 8232 1144 I F: 08 8232 3744 www.nickxenophon.com.au

When this was announced at the Tamworth rally there was loud cheers & a chant for Nick for PM -

Tony Windsor tweeted this:




MTF...P2