Originally Posted by
Magplug
The CAA's priority is the continued prosperity of UK airlines. They have no interest in acting to ensure safe operations. So unless the Daily Mail presents them with a smoking gun (or a smoking hole) it's business as usual at the CAA.
Around 10 years ago the UK had a mature sensible FTL scheme. The regulations were formed over many years as a result of accidents, incidents and deaths where we promised the bereaved that we would learn from our past mistakes. Then one day we threw that ruleset in the bin in favour of a Pan-European system that bore no resemblance to either of the 'Gold Standards' of the UK or Germany.... All in the name of EU political expediency.
Slight typo there 'The CAA's priority is the continued existence of UK Airlines' ensuring safe operations. UK Airlines wanted a level playing field with their Euro counterparts so that they could for example depart to Larnaca at 0700 rather than waiting until 0900 when the FTL allowed it. Factorisation of FDP over 7hrs sector length was something that came when FE's went. Most mature airlines (that hadn't gone bust) introduced their own limits with Union support when EASA came along. Biggest advantage of EASA FTL compared to CAP371?- when crews sold 2 days off then under CAP it was likely they would get 2 days off to keep the roster legal. Under EASA its easier to sell days off because of the 168 rule and not always get 2 extra days off!
The FTL hasn't changed much only the way the Airlines work crews to the max.....