05-19-2015, 11:11 PM
I have attached the transcript for 24 February 2015, and also the response provided in October 2012.
Not sure the general answer provided in 2012 (i.e. we had an interview) addresses the specific question about due diligence asked by NX in February 2015.
Question no.: 172
Program: n/a
Division/Agency: Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Topic: Pel-Air Chief Pilot
Proof Hansard Page: 103 (24 February 2015)
Senator Xenophon, Nick asked:
Senator XENOPHON: I am happy to ask you further questions on this, because it was quite a seminal report about aviation safety investigations and interrelationship between the agencies. Further, in respect of that report, you may be aware of the significant regulatory failures found within Pel-Air by CASA after the ditching, both in that special audit and in the Chambers report. Does the former chief pilot of Pel-Air, who was with the company when these breaches occurred, now hold, or has he held recently, a regulatory compliance position within CASA?
Mr Skidmore: I cannot answer that with my estimation—
Senator XENOPHON: Mr Farquharson may know.
Mr Farquharson: I am aware that he did.
Senator XENOPHON: This is something that Senator Heffernan was particularly interested in, in terms of the former chief pilot of Pel-Air working with CASA.
Mr Farquharson: I am aware that he did join CASA. I am not sure whether he is still with us.
Senator XENOPHON: Could you take that on notice, please, and if he did leave, on what date did he leave?
CHAIR: That was with regard to the downgrading of the incident judgement call.
Senator XENOPHON: Yes. What due diligence did CASA undertake to ensure this individual was not responsible for the many and significant breaches found within Pel-Air and was arguably unsuitable to hold such a role within CASA? I am happy if you take it on notice, but it is a key—
Mr Skidmore: I think we will have to take it on notice.
Answer:
The relevant officer is still employed by CASA in the Operations Division.
The response to this matter was provided for in Question on Notice: CASA08 provided to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee after the Inquiry into Aviation Accident and Investigations (Pel-Air) hearing on 22 October 2012 and referenced in the Hansard for the 22 October 2012 hearing from pp. 33-52.
Questions on Notice – Monday, 22 October 2012
CASA08: Recruitment of John Wickham to CASA Hansard: p.52
Senator NASH: Also, just regarding Mr Wickham and his appointment to CASA, could you—again on notice, if you would not mind—provide for the committee how many applicants there were for that position and who was on the selection panel? I think, as the chair has raised, it looks extremely odd that CASA would employ the chief pilot from Pel-Air while ATSB was currently conducting the investigation around the report. It is very, very strange. So if you could take on notice for us the applicants and who was on the selection panel.
Mr McCormick: Certainly, Senator.
Answer:
Mr Wickham originally applied for a position as a Flight Training Examiner in August 2010. That recruitment process involved 9 applicants, 4 of whom were interviewed. The panel consisted of (Manager Flying Standards), (Team Leader Flight Training) and , (Team Leader Administration).
In October 2010 Mr Wickham was selected as the second ranked candidate and placed on a merit list for future vacancies. The preferred applicant for the Flight Training Examiner subsequently withdrew and Mr Wickham was then offered the role. He elected to continue with the Flying Operations Inspector (FOI) application as outlined below.
When a vacancy for a FOI arose in June 2010, a review of candidates available from a merit lists was conducted and Mr Wickham was identified as meeting all the mandatory qualifications for an FOI position in December 2010. An additional interview and background checks were completed on Mr Wickham by a new panel made up of (Acting Manager General Aviation GA Field Office Sydney) and (Recruitment Consultant) to assess Mr Wickham for the FOI position. A report was submitted and following approval by the delegate an offer was made to Mr Wickham in late January 2011. He commenced in CASA on February 2011.
Both Flight Training Examiner and Flying Operations Inspector positions have similar mandatory and desirable criteria including holding a current Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane) and Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane) Licences, a Command (Multi Engine Aeroplane) Instrument Rating, a current Class 1 Medical certificate and to hold or have held Approved Testing Officer delegations, Grade 1 Flight Instructor Rating, Chief Pilot and/or Chief Flying Instructor approval and have had extensive training and checking experience. Mr Wickham met or exceeded these criteria.
Not sure the general answer provided in 2012 (i.e. we had an interview) addresses the specific question about due diligence asked by NX in February 2015.
Question no.: 172
Program: n/a
Division/Agency: Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Topic: Pel-Air Chief Pilot
Proof Hansard Page: 103 (24 February 2015)
Senator Xenophon, Nick asked:
Senator XENOPHON: I am happy to ask you further questions on this, because it was quite a seminal report about aviation safety investigations and interrelationship between the agencies. Further, in respect of that report, you may be aware of the significant regulatory failures found within Pel-Air by CASA after the ditching, both in that special audit and in the Chambers report. Does the former chief pilot of Pel-Air, who was with the company when these breaches occurred, now hold, or has he held recently, a regulatory compliance position within CASA?
Mr Skidmore: I cannot answer that with my estimation—
Senator XENOPHON: Mr Farquharson may know.
Mr Farquharson: I am aware that he did.
Senator XENOPHON: This is something that Senator Heffernan was particularly interested in, in terms of the former chief pilot of Pel-Air working with CASA.
Mr Farquharson: I am aware that he did join CASA. I am not sure whether he is still with us.
Senator XENOPHON: Could you take that on notice, please, and if he did leave, on what date did he leave?
CHAIR: That was with regard to the downgrading of the incident judgement call.
Senator XENOPHON: Yes. What due diligence did CASA undertake to ensure this individual was not responsible for the many and significant breaches found within Pel-Air and was arguably unsuitable to hold such a role within CASA? I am happy if you take it on notice, but it is a key—
Mr Skidmore: I think we will have to take it on notice.
Answer:
The relevant officer is still employed by CASA in the Operations Division.
The response to this matter was provided for in Question on Notice: CASA08 provided to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee after the Inquiry into Aviation Accident and Investigations (Pel-Air) hearing on 22 October 2012 and referenced in the Hansard for the 22 October 2012 hearing from pp. 33-52.
Questions on Notice – Monday, 22 October 2012
CASA08: Recruitment of John Wickham to CASA Hansard: p.52
Senator NASH: Also, just regarding Mr Wickham and his appointment to CASA, could you—again on notice, if you would not mind—provide for the committee how many applicants there were for that position and who was on the selection panel? I think, as the chair has raised, it looks extremely odd that CASA would employ the chief pilot from Pel-Air while ATSB was currently conducting the investigation around the report. It is very, very strange. So if you could take on notice for us the applicants and who was on the selection panel.
Mr McCormick: Certainly, Senator.
Answer:
Mr Wickham originally applied for a position as a Flight Training Examiner in August 2010. That recruitment process involved 9 applicants, 4 of whom were interviewed. The panel consisted of (Manager Flying Standards), (Team Leader Flight Training) and , (Team Leader Administration).
In October 2010 Mr Wickham was selected as the second ranked candidate and placed on a merit list for future vacancies. The preferred applicant for the Flight Training Examiner subsequently withdrew and Mr Wickham was then offered the role. He elected to continue with the Flying Operations Inspector (FOI) application as outlined below.
When a vacancy for a FOI arose in June 2010, a review of candidates available from a merit lists was conducted and Mr Wickham was identified as meeting all the mandatory qualifications for an FOI position in December 2010. An additional interview and background checks were completed on Mr Wickham by a new panel made up of (Acting Manager General Aviation GA Field Office Sydney) and (Recruitment Consultant) to assess Mr Wickham for the FOI position. A report was submitted and following approval by the delegate an offer was made to Mr Wickham in late January 2011. He commenced in CASA on February 2011.
Both Flight Training Examiner and Flying Operations Inspector positions have similar mandatory and desirable criteria including holding a current Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane) and Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane) Licences, a Command (Multi Engine Aeroplane) Instrument Rating, a current Class 1 Medical certificate and to hold or have held Approved Testing Officer delegations, Grade 1 Flight Instructor Rating, Chief Pilot and/or Chief Flying Instructor approval and have had extensive training and checking experience. Mr Wickham met or exceeded these criteria.