Funny how operators. Especially in the bush cut at everything, to save money. Thats all it is, to save a buck. It doesnt stop gentlemen with GA, trying to save a buck, will touch your career all the way to the top. The bean counters in the Airlines determine your Future nothing else.
I know its a Long flight from Noonamah to NGU, even longer drive sometimes not even doable. My question is for a company that should be as economically stable as $$$$$$Air, they should HAVE Maintenance back up in place, They should have spares on site in NGU . Well atleast Battery Acid. Weather a new battery and or new alternator/ Generator was required, it should have been done before repositioning the Aircraft. If this case involves CASA, youll find that it will be the corrective action $$$$$$Air must take.
Now you cant tell me that they couldnt wait for an Engineer and parts to arrive from Darwin , maybe not flown by themselves , but by the RPT.
Its inexcusable really, but its taken for granted and its inbred in alot of operators minds "that its ok". Many operators who have worked in the same region have done the same over the years.
They will say its "normal practise". But when the Pilot has to make a landing somewhere for no reason, and the aircraft is destroyed, or the occupants perish. It wont be the Higher Staff pressure, or the Chief Pilot that gets the blame, it will be the "Pilot-CIn-Command"allways.
If you fly anything that is below par in maintennace. Or if your a Pilot who knowingly flys a substandard machine. You are asking for it. What if you had a inflight fire? What if the weather got bad quickly as it can in the Top End?
Ya see guys its mind set the Engineeers are used to it , the Operators are use to it, the Chief Pilots are used to it. TO ERASE THIS MIND SET WILL REQUIRE ALOT OF RE-EDUCATION. REMMEMBER THE AS PIC, THE BUCK LITREALLY STOPS WITH YOU AND YOUR DECISION TO FLY. IF IT DISPLEASES THE OTHER PARTIES , WELL LET IT THEN. BETTER TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY AFTER DECLINING THE JOB, THAN BE A STATISTIC.
NAUGHTY NAUGHTY NAUGHTY TO ALL CONCERNED.........
REGARDS
SHEEP