[Peetwo]

Of the Devil and the details. (Part 1).

Under Standing Order 25 (2) (a), the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee will inquire into and report on the current state of Australia's general aviation industry, with particular reference to aviation in rural, regional and remote Australia. Etc.

a) the legislative and regulatory framework underpinning CASA's aviation safety management functions, including:

Right there; from the off, the Committee is at sea. Various iterations of the ‘aviation watch dog’ have been Beavering away, weaving a web which, no matter which string is pulled, ensures that the power garnered over the decades from politicians, frightened of having ‘blood’ (not metaphorical) on their hands; remains inviolate. It is the gifted power of ‘control’ over minister and parliament which has led Australian aviation to a dark place. No one dares challenges the assumption that CASA is always right. Minister after minister (bar Sharpe) quite happy to sit back and let the ultimate responsibility for ‘safety’ rest in someone else’s hands. The notion of ‘Bipartisan’ an anathema. A cop out; a gutless shedding of responsibility which had led to yet another inquiry. How many is it now? What has been the total, heat breaking cost to taxpayers. But, most damning of all is the result of this completely undemocratic, shiftless, lazy, self protective attitude – an industry in crisis is the least abhorrent result. The continued, blatant, ignorant, uncaring avoidance of ‘the facts’ despite a King’s ransom spent on ‘inquiry’ has led to the current disgraceful low.

(i) the application of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to Australia's    aviation sector, and whether the legislation is fit for purpose;

It has been publicly stated, by the CASA folk involved in ‘drafting’ “the Act” that it is unconstitutional, but no one could afford to challenge it. It is the root of all evil and must be overhauled to meet current world best standard; the FAA and NZCAA even the EASA crowd are, in some responsible manner, governed under democratic process and held responsible. CASA ain’t. Why?– Take a long hard look at “the Act” and the way ‘powers vested’ – by parliament have been abused, manipulated and used to keep ‘ministerial’ busy-bodies out of the way, silent: despite loud, long protests from an industry sinking in a sea of meaningless ‘regulation’ and revised regulation, and untrammelled power.

(ii) the safety and economic impacts, and relative risks, of CASA's aviation safety frameworks; and the engagement of CASA with other relevant Australian Government agencies;

Whoa! There is a monster. Each element deserving of immediate, judicial and expert consideration. Each, standing alone deserving ‘inquiry’. Have CASA improved ‘safety’ to a world best standard? Have CASA reduced the statistics to be comparable with first world aviation nations? Have CASA managed to provide a ‘better’ mousetrap – on a dollar for dollar comparative basis? Have CASA addressed and reduced ‘relative’ risk? Then we get the howler – ‘engagement with other agencies’. Sure they have – all is well; ATSB and CASA are the best of mates, they even have a Memorandum of Understanding. This works brilliantly well – read through the last, incredibly expensive non event – ‘the Pel-Air’ inquiry. There you see the collusion; sorry – cooperation rampant, hard at work preserving Australia’s fine aviation heritage. Better still – ask the last FAA/ICAO auditors how close they came to downgrading this nation. Ayup, it’s all very cosy and friendly – not a shred of collusion or favours or even quid pro quo to be seen. (Oh, the music? – “believe it if you like” a classic).

(iii) the immediate and long-term social and economic impacts of CASA decisions on small businesses,  agricultural operations and individuals across regional, rural and remote Australia;

A quick visit to almost any aerodrome (like Bankstown) will clearly define the ‘immediate’. A short read of the Angel Flight or Buckley matter will certainly define the ‘social’ impact. A short telephone call to any operator in Australia will clear up any misunderstanding about the impact CASA has and continues to have on ‘small business’. Fill your boots, plenty to go around. Mind you, it’s best done ‘sub rosa’ lest CASA pay a ‘friendly visit’. Protection before speaking – Oh, you bet…..

I will work through the Senate shopping list; (b) looks ‘interesting’.  But not tonight.

There is an Ale on the bar with my name on it, the Canadians are at the board practicing and; as it is a grudge match – best I focus on the more important matters; like winning.

Addendum: Some AQON now available??

16 CASA -1 

15 ATSB - 1

13 Airservices

I say some because in light of the SMH article yesterday, the 2 most topical AQON (390 & 392) appear to be MIA??   

Para 377:

 Admission of guilt?

---

"A CASA spokeswoman said the agency was in the process of "transforming the way we operate to provide more consistent and standardised safety oversight", and was developing a new "oversight model" that would identify staff roles and capabilities."

So CASA are admitting;
1. They don’t provide very good consistent and standardised safety oversight? That should scare the Australian public and the Minister.
2. They are developing a new oversight model? The current one isn’t effective? The current one is out of step or touch with oversight expectations?
3. The new oversight model will identify staff roles and capabilities? So they don’t know what there staff are doing, or whether they are even capable of performing the roles that they currently do?

Wow. What an admission. A dysfunctional steaming heap. All time low morale, Inspectors speaking to the media about safety concerns, and an organisation that can’t even balance it’s budget let alone provide safety oversight. If the Minister isn’t listening, well he ought to be now. Mr Carmody is presiding over an epic failure.

C’mon Scomo, while you are on a roll and boning public servants, surely this mob could do with a giant enema? I’ve got the hose ready!!

Perhaps our useless NFI miniscule could prompt St Commode and his executive goons to provide the AQON before treasurer Josh makes the MYEFO statement, as surely it would not be a good look for ScoMo, Josh & co to have unannounced fiscal blowouts inside of the aviation safety autocracy (MOAS trough fund) -   

Ps As an aside I note that St Commode has firmly planted his middle finger in remembrance to Bruce Rhoades and in  reply to both the Glen Buckley and Angel Flight embuggerances along with Senator McDonald's announced General Aviation inquiry, by promoting one of his faithful accolytes Craig Martin to the executive ranks:

Craig Martin

Executive Manager Regulatory Services and Surveillance at Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Pps Note what CM has shared/Favorited on his Linkedin page:

Shane Carmody FRAeS
• 3rd+
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
1mo • 

My latest aviation safety message from the recent Regional Aviation Association Conference.



CASA links Serious Incidents to Pilot Attitude - Australian Flying
australianflying.com.au

Hmm...says it all really -