Originally Posted by
Troo believer
Read the regulation and pay particular attention to the last sentence.
CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1988 - REG 224
Pilot in command
(1) For each flight the operator shall designate one pilot to act as pilot in command.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
(1A) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.
Note: For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
(2) A pilot in command of an aircraft is responsible for:
(a) the start, continuation, diversion and end of a flight by the aircraft; and
(b) the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time; and
(c) the safety of persons and cargo carried on the aircraft; and
(d) the conduct and safety of members of the crew on the aircraft.
(2A) A pilot in command must discharge his or her responsibility under paragraph (2)(a) in accordance with:
(a) any information, instructions or directions, relating to the start, continuation, diversion or end of a flight, that are made available, or issued, under the Act or these Regulations; and
(b) if applicable, the operations manual provided by the operator of the aircraft.
(3) The pilot in command shall have final authority as to the disposition of the aircraft while he or she is in command and for the maintenance of discipline by all persons on board.
Very familiar with CAR224 but it doesn't apply when the PIC is in the briefing room doing pre-flight. That much is evident by the part of the sentence that states "... for the maintenance of discipline by all persons on board."
Obviously there is some cross-over if something happens at the gate such as the fuel problem and a PIC would liaise with ground authorities.
Someone further up said the 'airport manager' in relation to responsibilities. We do know the airport manager sits in an office away from the action do we not and their primary responsibility is adminstrative. The Airport Duty Manager or similar is the ground operational person.