Les,
The following comments apply to the Avtex/Airtex Metro operation only, and the changes required by CASA after the freighter loss about two years ago.
Over a period of 18 months, a new CP and a boss of training ( with long term serious airline training/standards and management experience) were put in place.All the pilots were retrained, two pilot crews for pax ops. (demanded by CASA) became the order of the day.
All the manuals and the CAR 217 procedures were completely revamped, not only to include two pilot SOPs, but a complete overhaul, and all the changes were progressively negotiated with the then CASA YSBK management, and new AOCs were issued, with restrictions progressively removed, as changes went into place. So, at least twice in that period, presumably "--- and CASA is satisfied".
As far as I know, the SMS put in place (before they became mandatory) was the first fair dinkum SMS in a small GA organization. Check out the airline exemptions.
In the 18 months up to last February, there were several CASA audits, and several ACS ( the ICAO/IATA IOSA audit team from Melbourne) independent audits, all probably with a few comments, as there always are, but apparently no show stoppers. The ACS team is internationally recognized by ICAO and IATA, with a long list of very high profile clients, including not just international airlines, but national aviation authorities. One might reasonably say ACS auditors are far more highly qualified and widely experience than all but a few of CASA's inspectors. An ACS audit of CASA would be an interesting exercise.
Then, earlier this year, the CASA management changed at YSBK, and as they say in the movies: "The rest is history".
As I hear it, just about every operator at Bankstown, and most of the local ATOs are all in CASA YSBK sights.
Tootle pip!!
Last edited by LeadSled; 26th Jul 2010 at 06:29.