A lost ideal.
I wonder, dare we hope that this committee along with the DoIT have begun to reel in a long standing 'bug-bear' of the aviation fraternity – 'rule by exemption'. An exemption from a rule set held by one operator, gives an unfair advantage over the similar operator who cannot, for 'some' reason gain the same latitude.
An exemption also beggars the spirit and intent of a rule set. Should a rule need to have exemptions made, then it is reasonable to amend that rule to reflect the 'exemption' granted. There will be times when a 'one-off' is required, that is acceptable; but to have a fairly lengthy list of exemption granted to various (even selected)operators is fundamentally wrong.
One of the few 'good' things of the John McCormack tenure as DAS was his intention to be rid of 'exemption' and the imbalance they created. It would be a fine thing to put on the industry 'wish-list' for the new DAS to attend to. Of course a new rule set would; or should (in an ideal world) do away with the need to issue an exemption in all but the most unique of cases. Banged this drum many times – I know.
I wonder, dare we hope that this committee along with the DoIT have begun to reel in a long standing 'bug-bear' of the aviation fraternity – 'rule by exemption'. An exemption from a rule set held by one operator, gives an unfair advantage over the similar operator who cannot, for 'some' reason gain the same latitude.
An exemption also beggars the spirit and intent of a rule set. Should a rule need to have exemptions made, then it is reasonable to amend that rule to reflect the 'exemption' granted. There will be times when a 'one-off' is required, that is acceptable; but to have a fairly lengthy list of exemption granted to various (even selected)operators is fundamentally wrong.
One of the few 'good' things of the John McCormack tenure as DAS was his intention to be rid of 'exemption' and the imbalance they created. It would be a fine thing to put on the industry 'wish-list' for the new DAS to attend to. Of course a new rule set would; or should (in an ideal world) do away with the need to issue an exemption in all but the most unique of cases. Banged this drum many times – I know.