safety comparison
well i'll be, might have answered half my own question. switched off enroute for the land of nod and checked the ABC news site rural report to find a report (below) from guru dude called rob rich???? mustering drivers must be worse than kiwis.
there you go!!!
Call for new remote chopper pilots to get more training
Monday, 13/03/2006
A helicopter safety expert has called for more training and education programs to help ensure new chopper pilots are well-equipped to work in remote areas.
Rob Rich from Aviation Safety in Brisbane says a booming beef industry has helped fuel a big rise in the number of choppers used on stations.
More than 1,300 civil helicopters now operate in Australia but Mr Rich says many experienced pilots have left the industry.
"Our accident rate unfortunately would be probably almost double the world average only because we graduate a brand new pilot who goes out into the bush to operate in a remote area in very, very difficult flying conditions, when in fact he is a long way from his supervisor in many cases," he said.
[It also] tends to be a problem in those areas where guys operate unsupervised for a long, long period of time."
The shortage of experienced pilots and engineers is also being felt in New South Wales.
Armidale pilot Lachie Onslow recently advertised a pilot's job and had six replies but all from New Zealand.
He says one of the major problems driving people away from the industry are high fees and taxes charged by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
"A lot of our experienced pilots are leaving the industry to go overseas to Canada or PNG to chase more work and more money," he said.
"We've got the Vietnam vets are now at retiring age and the industry is growing as there are more opportunities for people."