Popgun # 1 - 6/10/10.
Inquiry into pilot training and airline safety
I am writing to advise you that on 30 September 2010, the Senate referred the following matter to the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 17 November 2010.
(a) pilot experience requirements and the consequence of any reduction in flight hour requirements on safety;
(b) the United States of America's Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which requires a minimum of 1500 flight hours before a pilot is able to operate on regular public transport services and whether a similar mandatory requirement should be applied in Australia;
(c) current industry practices to recruit pilots, including pay-for-training schemes and the impact such schemes may have on safety;
(d) retention of experienced pilots;
(e) type rating and recurrent training for pilots;
(f) the capacity of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to appropriately oversee and update safety regulations given the ongoing and rapid development of new technologies and skills shortages in the aviation sector; etc.
Three years ago, Popgun kicked off this thread, the Senate Committee was quite rightly concerned, as are most of the rest of the world about pilot training and standards. The committee was essentially told to bugger off and read the great, soft white paper, which said "no worries", CASA have it under control: then we get part 61, just to prove it.....
The young'ns coming through today are no less or more competent than they were 30 years ago; they want to learn and, as 'volunteers', they are most willing to learn. As usual that learning occurs through self funding (in whatever format), which again proves willingness and determination to become professional flight crew. But somewhere in there, there is a 'gap' (for want of better) – which is becoming noticeable. Perhaps there is enough expertise about the place to define the 'gap' and place a well written, short, accurate submission into the willing hands of D. Fawcett esq. or Sen. Xenophon stating the case as asking could we please revisit the issues. I am certain they are still a tad miffed with the "white paper" episode, still concerned that there is something (as yet undefined) wrong within the system and; in all probability, would try to get things sorted as best they may.
Think on, in the last three years the problems at flight school level have probably transitioned from a harmless Jabiru onto the flight decks of passenger jet transport, in another three years, those issues may be training and checking pilots.
So, what d'ya say boys; bicker on Pprune or provide solutions. Hell, we do it all day at work; identify the problem, execute the fix and get home in time for tea. Surely this little problem is not beyond the collective intelligence of the once proud Australian aviation communities.