Has ATSB gone totally mad?
From a recent ATSB report about an aircraft that did not take off using the centre line of the runway: .
Bombardier DHC-8-315 commenced the take-off roll on runway 01 at Townsville Aerodrome for Cairns, Queensland. During the takeoff, the pilot in command realised that the aircraft was aligned with the left runway edge. The aircraft was manoeuvred to the centre of the runway and the takeoff rejected. It was later determined that the aircraft’s left main wheel had damaged a runway edge light. There were no injuries to the 34 passengers or five crew members and no damage to the aircraft.
The operator did not have procedures to assist the crew to ensure that the aircraft was lined up on the runway centreline in preparation for takeoff.
Does that mean that legally all aircraft from Cessna 150 to Airbus A380 are required to have a "procedure" to assist a pilot to ensure they are properly lined up? Don't pilots have eyes to assist them to line up? Isn't this just normal pilot competency from the very first solo? Does ATSB now require this "procedure" to be published in the company Ops manual.
How much wet nursing are ATSB writers attempting to foist on pilots? Or are the legal eagles in ATSB trying to stamp their authority on Operations Manuals and how bloody ridiculous this all is...
Last edited by Tee Emm; 28th Jan 2011 at 12:12.