The Geelong Advertiser today.
Sky dive charges
The CASA investigation has ended in charges.
Wednesday, April 14
NATALIE STAAKS
SKYDIVE City operator Luke McWilliam has been charged by Australia's aviation watchdog with breaching safety regulations.
The operator of the Barwon Heads business faces 21 charges filed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed Mr McWilliam was due to appear in Geelong Magistrates' Court on May 14.
Mr McWilliam yesterday said he did not know the full extent of the charges but intended to fight them.
CASA has been investigating alleged safety breaches by SkyDive City for more than two years.
CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said the bulk of the charges, filed under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, related to dropping parachutists through clouds.
One charge related to having unauthorised equipment on board an aircraft.
Each proven charge attracts a fine of up to $2500.
Mr McWilliam said he welcomed the chance to defend his business operations in court.
``The investigation has gone on for three years. We did 2000 plane loads last year, that's 20,000 drops so we're talking about .01 per cent of our drops,'' he said of the 20 cloud-dropping charges.
``From our point of view it's closure, we can defend the charges openly now.
``I think we will be able to prove we've been very careful.''
South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield has previously told Parliament of his concerns with the operation of SkyDive City.
Yesterday Mr Crutchfield said it was now a matter for the court.
``There is a procedure to go through and I think that everyone would hope for a resolution soon,'' he said.