LS - As to CASA competence, the results of the two ICAO audits, public information, and the two most recent FAA audits (not public, but the general thrust of the results, and why, are well enough known) speak for themselves.
I could, perhaps, live with 'bad' audit or two; some element of 'non compliance' is inevitable form any subjective audit. Just because the rest of the 'modern' world seems to swan through – well 'nuff said.
One of the things annoys me is the smooth 'glossy, force fed twaddle we get in response to a safety issues. For example:- Report - R20050002. Issue date 14 March 2005.
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...r20050002.aspx In short,
The ATSB (still punching at this stage) make a series of sensible suggestions.
The Coroner (Hennessy) supports them with half a dozen recommendations.
Enter the dragon -
CASA response.
Date Issued: 29 August 2005
CASA has reviewed its previous advice in relation to this matter [provided with the directly involved parties comments to draft occurrence report 200304282] and I am advised that the Authority has no additional comment to provide in response to recommendation R20050002. However, it should be noted that resources to review this action will be allocated in accordance with CASA's reviewed priorities. For your information, a copy of CASA's initial advice is recorded below. CASA advice
CASA will:
* Review the requirements for helicopter EMS operations to include consideration for two pilots, or a stability augmentation and/or autopilot system;
* Review the special operational and environmental circumstances of helicopter EMS services, particularly with regard to pilot qualifications, training and recency including instrument flight competency; and
* Review the pilot recency requirements for helicopter EMS operations to ensure that operator check and training processes are focused on the EMS environment.
CASA 10 October 2007.
The following updates the actions previously advised in response to the recommendation:
· The proposed review of EMS operation crewing and aircraft equipment requirements will take place as part of the re-instated project to finalise Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 133. As you may be aware, the regulatory review aspects of CASR Part 133 have, under instruction from the CASA CEO [deleted], been on hold for some time. However I can now advise that this project is scheduled to recommence in October 2007, and that this subject matter will be incorporated in the consideration of CASR 1998 Part 133.T.3.
· CASA has been considering these issues (particularly the special operational and environmental circumstances associated with EMS operations) for some time now as part of the review processes for the introduction of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) into Australian helicopter night operations. As a result of this review we have incorporated helicopter EMS operations as a Permitted NVG Operation in the new NVG Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 82.
This CAO (which is now in effect) empowers appropriately equipped, trained and approved EMS AOC holders to use NVG on their night EMS primary and secondary response taskings. Both CASA and the industry consider this to be a major safety initiative and we will be monitoring its effect over the next twelve months by way of a formal research process.
· EMS pilot qualifications, training and recency requirements will be included in the CASR Part 133 project consultation and review processes, however I can also advise the (as part of its normal surveillance processes) CASA will continue to review these matters in current operations as well.
Additionally I can advise that pilot qualification, training and recency requirements were also reviewed by both CASA and the industry as part of the consultation processes associated with the previously mentioned NVG implementation project, and that the industry subject matter experts at these meetings included several representatives from AOC holders who conduct EMS operations in both VFR and IFR situations at diverse operational locations.
2012. Were the holes plugged up?. Can this incident be repeated?. Is the legislation available for use??. Tick tock indeed.
Coroner Barnes in good faith accepted that the matter was under sensible control.
Was the Public, industry, Coroner, ATSB conned?.
Who let's them get away with it - we do.