Of the right and of the wrong of it.
The words mostly associated with any discussion of the AF imbroglio are ‘Smoke Screen” which, in the opinion of many is the ‘right’ of it. What the BRB couldn’t fathom was the ‘why’ of it.
P2 and I spent an hour yesterday kicking the subject around, there is some substantive evidence worthy of serious consideration, for discussion next BRB indaba. When he get’s a chance P2 will post the history and details we thought were worth considering. The proposition is a simple one: - the ‘smoke and mirrors show’ CASA have mounted, using AF as their foil has little to do with the half baked ‘safety’ case are running with; but everything to do with decade old ‘stuff’ which should have been addressed after ICAO audit.
Angel Flight (Australia) is a fairly soft target – and a highly emotive one; a sure fire winner for the media, making perfect top cover for the escape from potential audit embarrassment. This theory could be supported by the fact that the NTSB and AF (USA) sorted out their ‘system’ a long while ago – Australian AF followed suite. That should have been the end of the story – but no.
I don’t have my notes with me; but EO&E (P2 will correct -
) there were grave concerns a decade ago, raised at audit regarding our two top killers – Night Visual Flight (NVMC) and Visual Flight Rules qualified pilots entering Instrument Flight conditions and loosing control of the aircraft – VFR into IMC. There were some associated factors mentioned – but the point is none of these matters have been fully and completely addressed. The safety loop has not been closed; despite CASA being gifted a substantial, additional sum to rectify the noted deficiencies in their system. For example: the lack of technical expertise and experience within the ‘coal face’ body and a shortage of manpower. It begs the question – why – suddenly – is “Bulk” employment being boomed?
I can assure you; when P2 gets it all sorted it will be a long read, lots of dots and many dashes. But worth the time. Whether it will do the slightest bit of good remains to be seen. Much will depend on how the new government minister views 'the facts'.
One fact is inescapable – CASA need to be reformed; top to bottom, as they stand today they are a liability to not only ‘safety’ (whatever that may be) but to government. A ‘fair dinkum’ FAA audit could and probably should down grade Australia – just for sheer incompetence alone, without even mentioning the vast areas of non compliant compliance produced related to almost every annex of the ICAO.
Anyway – we shall try to get the research data up; soon.
Toot - toot.
The words mostly associated with any discussion of the AF imbroglio are ‘Smoke Screen” which, in the opinion of many is the ‘right’ of it. What the BRB couldn’t fathom was the ‘why’ of it.
P2 and I spent an hour yesterday kicking the subject around, there is some substantive evidence worthy of serious consideration, for discussion next BRB indaba. When he get’s a chance P2 will post the history and details we thought were worth considering. The proposition is a simple one: - the ‘smoke and mirrors show’ CASA have mounted, using AF as their foil has little to do with the half baked ‘safety’ case are running with; but everything to do with decade old ‘stuff’ which should have been addressed after ICAO audit.
Angel Flight (Australia) is a fairly soft target – and a highly emotive one; a sure fire winner for the media, making perfect top cover for the escape from potential audit embarrassment. This theory could be supported by the fact that the NTSB and AF (USA) sorted out their ‘system’ a long while ago – Australian AF followed suite. That should have been the end of the story – but no.
I don’t have my notes with me; but EO&E (P2 will correct -
) there were grave concerns a decade ago, raised at audit regarding our two top killers – Night Visual Flight (NVMC) and Visual Flight Rules qualified pilots entering Instrument Flight conditions and loosing control of the aircraft – VFR into IMC. There were some associated factors mentioned – but the point is none of these matters have been fully and completely addressed. The safety loop has not been closed; despite CASA being gifted a substantial, additional sum to rectify the noted deficiencies in their system. For example: the lack of technical expertise and experience within the ‘coal face’ body and a shortage of manpower. It begs the question – why – suddenly – is “Bulk” employment being boomed? I can assure you; when P2 gets it all sorted it will be a long read, lots of dots and many dashes. But worth the time. Whether it will do the slightest bit of good remains to be seen. Much will depend on how the new government minister views 'the facts'.
One fact is inescapable – CASA need to be reformed; top to bottom, as they stand today they are a liability to not only ‘safety’ (whatever that may be) but to government. A ‘fair dinkum’ FAA audit could and probably should down grade Australia – just for sheer incompetence alone, without even mentioning the vast areas of non compliant compliance produced related to almost every annex of the ICAO.
Anyway – we shall try to get the research data up; soon.
Toot - toot.