Hitch - my question for the DAS: is this really good enough Mr. Skidmore, is it?
It's remarkable, Frank dives down the wabbit hole ferreting out the solutions to existing abominations; all defined within the-
CHC - scandal, and it is a scandal for many reasons. This gives us the first part of a complex equation for the Skidmore intellect to wrestle with. Then Creamy chimes in, clearly defining the other side of the equation. Both, IMO, valid arguments in a 'chicken and egg' debate.
Did bad law support bad actions : or were the bad actions supported by law written in more honourable times, when reasonable people were held accountable for their own actions? It's quite a puzzle, the key to the solution hidden deep within a dark labyrinth guarded by harpies, trolls and misfits, all hell bent on preventing Skates from finding the key. If it were a movie; our protagonist would be under time pressure, with the princess doomed should the key not be found before midnight (why is it always midnight?).
Lets just pretend Skidmore is his own man, supported by a Senate committee, who dispenses with whispered advice from 'traditional' sources; what is he going to see? Well, there's the Pel Air imbroglio and now the abandoned CHC prosecution, both of which very clearly define 'how' power and law is manipulated and abused to suit a predetermined outcome, it also identifies those that were complicit in the deliberate, deceitful, abuse of both power and 'law'.
CHC will become a classic, the meek acceptance of allegations of both bias and corruption without contest, the payment of costs (and perhaps damages) combined with what was exposed, is a bench mark case. (Bravo Ben et al). CHC combined with Pel-Air gives Skidmore a recent, real life, coast to coast, legally definitive place to start weeding; and weed he must. Creamy is spot on regarding the reformation of regulation, it's a matter of importance; but (BUT) unless the application of 'law', and the rule of law, is administered by 'men of good will' then all is lost. Lots of reading, many cases to contemplate; all of which lead to the inevitable conclusion, something fundamental is rotten.
With the McComic departure some of the driving force which sanctioned the 'biased and protected the 'corrupt' actions has been removed; but the habit lingers on, as do those who willingly indulged in unspeakable acts. To break that habit, some senior managers and those who willingly served them have to made examples of. Which gives Skidmore , in the short term at least, a mini manpower problem. Assuming this is done, the real test will be in the calibre of crew he replaces the 'old guard' with. A clever 'manager' would seek out people with the right stuff, delegate the heavy lifting then sit back and watch the job take shape. If a start was made in the new year, a first class team could be up and running by Easter, breathing confidence back into a jaded, battered, disillusioned industry. This would provide the patience required to wait for a sensible rule set; e.g. we managed quite well with the 'old' licensing system: which caused no accidents I am aware of. Shirley, Part 61 can be put on ice for a six month, until it's redrafted by 'sensible', qualified folk and is truly, really ready for industry use.
The conundrum – which to reform first, the regulator or the regulations? No brainer for my two bob; none of the present aberrations have had the 'law' as a radical. In every case, barring none, it has been those who applied the law to suit their own purpose, with little or no gain to the national interest (or purse) who have created the flawed, deviant system we call an aviation safety authority.
Mark you, there are enough 'white hats' to cover the bases for a half year; trick is identifying them. Plenty of independent, non biased assistance to help sort out the quagmire of medical, the farce of engineering, the pantomime of 'training' and the drama of those abused by 'the system'. But, I suspect Skidmore knows this; just as surely as the MaM do...
So, Mr. Skidmore, do you want to the lob properly or just look pretty, being led about by the foreskin? I know, that's two questions, but essentially, one and the same.
Selah.