[Peetwo]

Bureaucratalia & the 4D aviation shame list -

Further to the TAAAF ASRR progress update, via Hitch and the Ferryman...

Driving a 4” nail.

There some who can with a single hammer stroke drive a four inch nail home; it is a matter of skill, rather than ‘strength’ and the right hammer. Hitch has made a fair attempt, but, being a little shy of room to swing, just needs a couple more taps to seat the nail fair and square. But a very good try.

“What this slow progress tells us is that reform measures are being greeted within CASA with gnashing teeth, folded arms and turned backs. It has been known ever since the ASRR came out that certain "elements" at middle management level don't respect the reform agenda and if they aren't down-right refusing, then are slowing the process down as much as they can whilst pretending to be on the journey.”

“It has been known ever since the ASRR came out that certain "elements" at middle management level don't respect the reform agenda and if they aren't down-right refusing” etc.

Defining motive is always an essential element in any investigation. One must ask ‘why’ would those charged with the responsibility for managing matters aeronautical resist the changes authorised by a minister, demanded by industry which would be of benefit to the industry and by extension bring kudos to a minister and the nation?

Only my opinion of course, but the answer is fear. There have been so many acts of sheer bastardry, embuggerance, misfeasance, perjury, abuse of system and power committed, many borderline ‘criminal’ that should those acts be exposed the bill will be horrendous. Then one must consider the ‘operational’ side of the coin; maintenance and flight; many of the actions, edicts, rulings and decisions made by CASA field staff range from ludicrous to dangerous, contrary not only to good sense, but law. The ‘white hats’ outgunned and outnumbered by the ‘black hats’ retire from the battle. None of this may be allowed exposure. Indeed great steps along the borders of probity have been taken to ensure that the real CASA is never examined, in depth. Self protection governs action and preventing a platform which allows a full examination of CASA actions being raised is paramount. Much to hide at Sleepy Hollow.

I know I bang on about Pel-Air a bit; but it is truly the tip of a very ugly iceberg. But; if the half exposure of the Pel-Air scandal shamed a government minister and appalled a Senate committee; think of what full exposure would bring. The calls for ‘regulatory reform’ are a symptom of the true disease. The regulator must be made accountable and responsible for their actions.

Clearly, there is no intention to allow this to happen; if you doubt it, then check the infamous opening statements in the ‘Enforcement manual’. Brought in by McConvict, unchanged by Skidmore and now tacitly approved by Carmody; even the original authorising signature has not been changed.  Why? Well that’s easy, they, CASA. like the latitude gifted by that opening stanza. If there was any intention, whatsoever, to ring the changes, then that manual would be the first to be amended as a gesture of good will.

It is time we had a DAS who can work with the board to implement the internal reform. Failing that, only a judicial inquiry or a Royal Commission can expose the true nature of the obdurate resistance to change; and, force through the changes which must be made to the regulatory agency. Those changes being essential to the well being of an industry. A few metaphorical scalps taken, off the right heads would set the tone very nicely.  

Happy to supply a list and supporting evidence.....

Toot toot.

And in response to the Oz Friday article, featuring the Airways NZed announcement of upgrades to their ATC system...

 (Reference post off BITN thread):

Harfwit cashes in his chips at the Oz -

..On another ASA related matter, I note that the Kiwis have announced that over the next few years they will be upgrading their ATC system... :

NZ adopts new air traffic platforms

12:00amRebecca Howard

Airways New Zealand will ­replace its air traffic management platforms in a $53m upgrade over four years.

Airways New Zea­land, the state-owned air traffic control authority, will ­replace its air traffic management platforms in a $NZ58 million ($53m) upgrade over the next four years.

Airways awarded the contract to global science and technology company Leidos to collaborate on software development and the Leidos Skyline X system will replace Airways’ two ATM platforms that were installed between 2000 and 2003.

The system is expected to ­become operational in New Zealand’s domestic airspace in 2020 and in oceanic airspace in 2021, Airways said in a statement.

The authority’s chief operating officer, Pauline Lamb, said the system would allow Airways to implement a new operating model as well as take advantage of advances in tools to optimise the air traffic system and staff ­deployment.

“By 2020, the new platform will allow airspace sectors to be operated from two new air traffic control centres in Auckland and Christchurch, in addition to 19 control towers nationwide,” Ms Lamb said.

The development of the system will be a collaborative project between Leidos and Airways’s software development teams, with Airways purchasing the hardware and installing and testing the system. This successful partnership model previously saved Airways’s customers about $NZ2.6m a year, or $NZ36m across the life of the present ATM platform.

Leidos civil group president Angie Heise said: “Air traffic is forecast to grow by 50 per cent over the next decade. The expertise of Leidos and the ongoing development of our SkyLine X technology will support Airways New Zealand in their continuing effort to deliver safe and efficient air traffic management to meet the increased demand.”

Meanwhile, Australian and New Zealand airlines have joined forces to set up a new aviation industry group to lobby government on taxes, fees and access to infrastructure. Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tigerair Australia and Regional Express are all backing the Airlines for Australia and New Zealand group.

Former Australian Competi­tion and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel will chair the body.

AAP

    
Hmm...maybe we need a ASA OneSKY v Airways NZed tote board for bets on who will come in on time and under budget...

...Sandy made the following highly insightful, nail in head, summary of miniscule Chester's  festering aviation (A-Bomb) shame (shit) list...  :

Alexander

1 day ago

Meanwhile in Bureacratalia, AirServices Australia (ASA) along with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), has, for General Aviation, mandated very expensive extra transponder equipment, ahead of even the USA, with dubious benefit. ASA is being questioned by Parliament about possible cosy deals involving former employees and a Multi billion dollar contract "One Sky" upgrade of our air traffic system. Radar coverage in Tasmania is still not fully resolved. ASA/CASA is muddling about what frequencies should be adopted around uncontrolled airports. Over at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau by their numbers they only get to investigate 30% of reviewable aircraft accidents. In the case of the 2009 Pelair Norfolk Island ditching we still await a Senate inspired report no. 2. The first report was seriously flawed and distorted with the help of their mates in the CASA who scapegoated the pilot (took away his licence, reality...skillful hero) and left CASA and Pelair squeaky clean. Pelair, subsidiary of regional airline Rex. One Rex director John Sharp former Minister for aviation and Nat Party treasurer. Sometime large donations by Rex to political parties. CASA has over regulated, fee gouged and bullied GA into a shadow of its former self with the loss of thousands of jobs. And so on and so on, three out of control Commonwealth corporates, the failed model of independent bureaucracies whose main incentives are make work, international and local seminars in salubrious venues, ego trips and with salaries being levered ever much higher than that of their Ministers, on the false basis that they operate like private business. The MH 370 court cases upcoming in the USA will no doubt shine a harsh light on our ATSB, reform is required. Alex in the Rises.

 
Top job Sandy, the choccy frog voucher is in the mail...

MTF...P2


Ps Sandy (via AP email chain): "..I hear elsewhere that there is a cabinet reshuffle in the offing, may we bid farewell to the much esteemed Chester?.." 

I too had similar thoughts when I read the following News Corp story :

Scott Morrison ‘sidelined by Malcolm Turnbull amid likely reshuffle after the May budget’

"..Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is reportedly also keen to move to the infrastructure portfolio which would see Nationals deputy Fiona Nash taking on agriculture.."