CASA possibly needs to be considered a contributing factor to the Moranbah incident. Why? Well, why did it take them so long to issue RNAV approvals, then make VARA go through the process all over again, taking a further 12 months, just because there was basically a name change to RNP.
If the crew that fateful day had an RNAV option, instead of having to do a filthy GPS arrival then attempt to circle, then it is highly likely the incident would never had happened. Not condoning the crew's actions in anyway though.
Only in recent months have VARA finally been able to conduct RNAVs instead of NDBs etc. into places like Moranbah, Emerald and Port Macquarie? How can CASA consider such instrument approaches to be more safe than RNAV? Where was the effort to fast track approvals? Do you think this will be discussed in the final ATSB report (yeah right!).
Happy to be corrected about any of the above.