Can’t guarantee Frank that we can ever return to the good old days but maybe, just maybe we could right a few wrongs and help put the industry on a better more sustainable footing…so to the thread!
Lefty said:
Very true TW but its not the technology thats killing people its the lack of basic flying skills and sound judgement that is the current problem. Look at AF447, AF in Toronto, Turkish Airlines in Amsterdam, Colgan, all the runway overruns occurring.
Lefty are you in a time warp or something? Your observations/opinions in the above post could have been plucked out of the thread for the previous ‘Pilot Training’ Senate Inquiry; I hope you were actively involved in that one too??
Using Lefty’s time machine and altering the historic chronology slightly so that the previous Senate Inquiry was called in early 2011 and the ATSB released their final report for AO-2009-072 within the normal timeframe for such an occurrence (basically on or around the same time)….well what would that have changed??
Ø To begin with this inquiry probably would never have happened because it would have been all revealed in the context of the last inquiry. It would also have meant that FF and the bureau would have been caught with their pants down, although I think it would have reflected more poorly on FF and the bureau could have come out smelling of roses.
Ø It would also have meant that the committee would have been given a perfect snapshot of the current system at work and would have focussed more attention on the General Aviation sector.
Ø It would have given more credence to several private individual submissions (and ironically Mr Lyon’s submission 18 from this inquiry), instead of getting lost in the airline ‘white noise’….
……….I’m sure people can think of many other things that such a change in history could have caused but unfortunately that isn’t the way it all transpired..oh well moving on!
Going back to Lefty’s time warp post where he mentions AF447, well again ironically that was included in the report and recommendations of that inquiry:
Recommendation 9
The committee recommends that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Australian aviation operators review the final findings of France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis into Air France 447, including consideration of how it may apply in the Australian context. Subject to those findings, the committee may seek the approval of the Senate to conduct a further hearing in relation to the matter.
And the government response:
Response
The Government supports this recommendation as it confirms current agency practice.
Australia’s independent safety regulatory and investigatory agencies, CASA and the ATSB, and industry, routinely examine the outcomes of accident investigations and consider their implications for the safety of Australian aircraft operations.
Both agencies are monitoring the French investigation into the accident of Air France Flight 447 and when the findings of the final report have been issued, which is expected next year, CASA and the ATSB will review any implications for Australian aviation.
So has this happened and if so are we going to be privy to the review information?? And are the Senators still keeping the option open of a further hearing to look into the AF447 investigation and findings?
There was also a further recommendation that has direct relevance to this inquiry in regards to human factors:
Recommendation 15
The committee recommends that the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) review its approach to the investigation and publication of human factors with a view to achieving a more robust and useful learning tool for the industry.
The Government response, also in light of this inquiry, has the potential to be very embarrassing for the minister and his motley crew:
Response
The Government supports this recommendation in-principle.
The ATSB already has a robust approach to the investigation and publication of human factor issues which was recognised in 2009 when the ATSB received an award from the International Society of Air Safety Investigators for its world-leading work in human factors.
An example of the ATSB’s continuing commitment and approach to investigations into human factors to help explain accidents and incidents is its research report: Evaluation of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System as a Predictive Model released in December 2010.
Note: Here’s the link for that very valuable report and I believe again the irony, in relation to this inquiry, will not be lost on most reasonably intelligent people:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/3536263/ar2008036.pdf
However I digress and I am in agreement with Kharon on this…
“Now-this Senate inquiry provides one, slim, fragile chance to correct at least some the iniquity, so-think on…” and believe we as representatives of the industry can endeavour to help the Senators kick over the metaphorical rocks and obstructions placed to protect the axis of evil and dispel the myth of the ‘mystique of aviation’. If we don’t succeed we sure would have had a lot of fun trying!
So Kharon said:
Currently, I remain intrigued by the motive for the unfortunate 'Chambers' missive: is it still being touted as the 'cure' ?; does the DAS still robustly stand behind it ?; does the current atmosphere even allow for the thing to be dismissed, for what it is?. The ATSB and Ben Cook primary reports, supported by Aherne, certainly have more value, credibility and authority, yet they remain buried in a sea of fluff.
Agree “K” the ‘Chambers Report’ coupled with the self-serving CAIR 09/3 is the key here but the public portrayed airbrushed image in the ‘Pilot Training’ inquiry is a further piece of the puzzle…all very fascinating if it wasn’t so in your face and real!!
Off doing a Kelpie!