Air NZ A320 + Mr Bloxham
The Dominion Post 22 DEC 2002
"Embattled Air New Zealand - already under fire over a string of safety scares - wants to forgo required pilot training for its new Airbus aircraft.
The airline is buying 15 A320 aircraft to replace some of its Boeing 737s and 767s, and has asked aviation safety bosses for an exemption to certain pilot training rules.
Air New Zealand's safety practices are under scrutiny after six major incidents since May last year, including three in the past four months in which aircraft have lost parts during flights.
In the most serious incident, this month an engine on a Boeing 767 exploded soon after the plane took off from Brisbane for Auckland.
In a petition to the Civil Aviation Authority, Air New Zealand is seeking an exemption from rules which state Boeing pilots should complete 100 hours of flight time or 75 "operating cycles" before moving to the Airbus.
Air New Zealand believes its own training regime for the pilots will be adequate, but aviation expert Les Bloxham says the airline will have a "hard sell" trying to convince the CAA to bend its rules.
Bloxham said the flying technology between the Boeing and the Airbus was different.
"I don't know how civil aviation will view those differences. It's different from going from the 737 to a 767 for example, or traditional types of Boeing controls.
"I'm not sure how long it might take for the pilot to adjust to the differences."
However, Air New Zealand spokeswoman Shannon Huse said it was common international practice for airlines to seek exemptions from these sorts of rules, given the circumstances.
The airline was not "cutting corners" and was working closely with the authority to introduce a new set of rules for the Airbus planes.
The exemption had strict controls and would be in conjunction with other training which had already started.
Huse said eight Air New Zealand pilots were in France training with a representative from the authority. From there the pilots would go to Hong Kong for a further month or two of flying.
In May, a flight simulator would be operating in New Zealand for further training.
The exemption is sought for captains with at least 15 years' flying experience with Air New Zealand and at least three years in the standards and training role, and for captains and first officers with at least two years' experience on their aircraft type and in their rank.
In the petition, Air New Zealand highlighted the experience of the pilots, Airbus recommendations and Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) requirements.
It proposed pilots would undergo an approved Airbus ground course, A320 rating, transition training and proficiency checks.
The petition was put out for public consultation and submissions closed last week.
The Civil Aviation Authority said the submissions still had to be assessed. A decision would not be made for some time.
Air New Zealand is spending $826 million on the 162-seat planes. The first of the aircraft - which will be flown on Pacific and trans-Tasman routes - is due in October. "