Small Wonders - (minuscule even).
The German word 'weltschmerz' seems an apt description of the general mood since the beginning of this month. Most folk I've bumped into seem to want to just 'knock off' for the Christmas/ New year period and put the last twelve month behind them. It has been 'bloody'. Fair enough too I reckon; we have had a bit of a battering, what with one thing after another, after another. For those as can manage it, a well earned break seems in order; and, not much will be emanating from Canberra until January's end (month of the dead) to bother the aviation world: small mercies eh!
Small wonder comes in several flavours; CASA (OAR) finally completed their 'study' of the Mangalore airspace. Two stellar outcomes from that expenditure have been hatched. Safety seminars and; insult to injury, “Your safety in your hands”. But M'lud, it has ever been so: that has never changed; not since Mama taught you to look left, then right, then left again and if its safe – walk (don't run) across the road; (lest thou get well and truly 'trucked up').
“And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.”
Small wonder; one which could probably stand some serious consideration comes from the keyboard of Hitch:-
Hitch - “But when only 28 people respond to the consultation, you can't point fingers at OAR for sticking with the outcomes of their draft report.”
When one considers the time and effort the industry has invested in 'submission' to inquiry; the outcomes and disappointment in the same; the endless total disregard for educated, expert commentary; the sheer lack of political interest in any and all forms of 'grass roots' reform required at the administrative end; and the total lack of respect for the meaningless edicts manipulated by the governing bodies. Then 28 responses seems to me like a good number – all things considered. Not much point in wasting time, money or effort – given the recalcitrant track record of 'the authority'. There is one idea being bandied about. Just a pub notion at the moment and no one can be bothered to delve into the regulations to see if it could work; however. What if there was no need for ADF or VOR approaches to be tested anywhere else but in a simulator? The airborne test could be based on the most used GPS letdown – there's more chance of that happening away from an ILS airport than any other; so is there really a 'need' to conduct a VOR flight test element at a port like Mangalore? Just saying - only a hatch-ling of a notion for the BRB to mull over. Will there be a 29'th submission – Nah.
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
Item last – “Why has Aunt Pru taken an interest the sordid business of the Sydney harbour ferries?” The question mildly put, in general conversation, more in curiosity than anything else. The short answer is in two parts : there are many parallels between those who have 'command' responsibilities at sea or in the air; both legally and morally binding. The second part is the response from both the 'safety' agencies involved and their 'masters' in the deep dark world of politics, influence, credibility and money. Aviation has seen the gradual descent into insignificance of the ATSB. Far removed from the stellar efforts of the BASI to the meaningless guff they publish these days. There is much similarity on public display from the NSW crew at OTSI : much. Vast sums spent providing detailed make-work pieces on things like a three metre container being loaded and hitting a 2.5 high metre bridge over the tracks. But nothing apart from some clever obfuscation on multiple instances of 'loss of directional control' of ferries carrying hundreds of people across a body of water which can, and does become 'testing' of both man and machine. Now our esteemed AMSA has made an appearance at this public display of 'nothing to see' but seem to have taken a back seat (MTF when we sort wheat from chaff). As P7 say's “if it walks like a Duck and quacks; odds on bet it is a Duck”. On the water, road or in the air – public transport must be made in reliable vehicles, capable, well maintained and fit for purpose.
Potential risk of major aircraft crash killing 300 people through shoddy design, construction, system failure or lack of effective maintenance– big deal (huge).
Potential risk of a Manly ferry sinking and killing 300 people through shoddy design, construction, systems failure or lack of effective maintenance – Ho hum; nothing to see here – yes, it is all very unfortunate; now move along.
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant.”
Aye well; duty done; workshop tidy, now for the big challenge – bath day for the dogs. Big dog thinks it a great lark, the hose pipe a plaything while contemplating an immediate roll in as much dust as he can on the lawn; little dog all stiff legged outrage and not above taking a playful nip (and risking a swift clip) will shake, and walk away in high dudgeon until dinner time. But, needs must when DT has visitors and all must be “clean and tidy” - “including those scruffy animals”. No matter; I have an escape plan and with luck should be able to miss the worst of it. Now where did I leave the dog's shampoo?
Selah... (managed to escape DT for an hour - addendum follows this post.)
The German word 'weltschmerz' seems an apt description of the general mood since the beginning of this month. Most folk I've bumped into seem to want to just 'knock off' for the Christmas/ New year period and put the last twelve month behind them. It has been 'bloody'. Fair enough too I reckon; we have had a bit of a battering, what with one thing after another, after another. For those as can manage it, a well earned break seems in order; and, not much will be emanating from Canberra until January's end (month of the dead) to bother the aviation world: small mercies eh!
Small wonder comes in several flavours; CASA (OAR) finally completed their 'study' of the Mangalore airspace. Two stellar outcomes from that expenditure have been hatched. Safety seminars and; insult to injury, “Your safety in your hands”. But M'lud, it has ever been so: that has never changed; not since Mama taught you to look left, then right, then left again and if its safe – walk (don't run) across the road; (lest thou get well and truly 'trucked up').
“And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.”
Small wonder; one which could probably stand some serious consideration comes from the keyboard of Hitch:-
Hitch - “But when only 28 people respond to the consultation, you can't point fingers at OAR for sticking with the outcomes of their draft report.”
When one considers the time and effort the industry has invested in 'submission' to inquiry; the outcomes and disappointment in the same; the endless total disregard for educated, expert commentary; the sheer lack of political interest in any and all forms of 'grass roots' reform required at the administrative end; and the total lack of respect for the meaningless edicts manipulated by the governing bodies. Then 28 responses seems to me like a good number – all things considered. Not much point in wasting time, money or effort – given the recalcitrant track record of 'the authority'. There is one idea being bandied about. Just a pub notion at the moment and no one can be bothered to delve into the regulations to see if it could work; however. What if there was no need for ADF or VOR approaches to be tested anywhere else but in a simulator? The airborne test could be based on the most used GPS letdown – there's more chance of that happening away from an ILS airport than any other; so is there really a 'need' to conduct a VOR flight test element at a port like Mangalore? Just saying - only a hatch-ling of a notion for the BRB to mull over. Will there be a 29'th submission – Nah.
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”
Item last – “Why has Aunt Pru taken an interest the sordid business of the Sydney harbour ferries?” The question mildly put, in general conversation, more in curiosity than anything else. The short answer is in two parts : there are many parallels between those who have 'command' responsibilities at sea or in the air; both legally and morally binding. The second part is the response from both the 'safety' agencies involved and their 'masters' in the deep dark world of politics, influence, credibility and money. Aviation has seen the gradual descent into insignificance of the ATSB. Far removed from the stellar efforts of the BASI to the meaningless guff they publish these days. There is much similarity on public display from the NSW crew at OTSI : much. Vast sums spent providing detailed make-work pieces on things like a three metre container being loaded and hitting a 2.5 high metre bridge over the tracks. But nothing apart from some clever obfuscation on multiple instances of 'loss of directional control' of ferries carrying hundreds of people across a body of water which can, and does become 'testing' of both man and machine. Now our esteemed AMSA has made an appearance at this public display of 'nothing to see' but seem to have taken a back seat (MTF when we sort wheat from chaff). As P7 say's “if it walks like a Duck and quacks; odds on bet it is a Duck”. On the water, road or in the air – public transport must be made in reliable vehicles, capable, well maintained and fit for purpose.
Potential risk of major aircraft crash killing 300 people through shoddy design, construction, system failure or lack of effective maintenance– big deal (huge).
Potential risk of a Manly ferry sinking and killing 300 people through shoddy design, construction, systems failure or lack of effective maintenance – Ho hum; nothing to see here – yes, it is all very unfortunate; now move along.
“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant.”
Aye well; duty done; workshop tidy, now for the big challenge – bath day for the dogs. Big dog thinks it a great lark, the hose pipe a plaything while contemplating an immediate roll in as much dust as he can on the lawn; little dog all stiff legged outrage and not above taking a playful nip (and risking a swift clip) will shake, and walk away in high dudgeon until dinner time. But, needs must when DT has visitors and all must be “clean and tidy” - “including those scruffy animals”. No matter; I have an escape plan and with luck should be able to miss the worst of it. Now where did I leave the dog's shampoo?
Selah... (managed to escape DT for an hour - addendum follows this post.)