CASA has the view that it is always correct and that they can do no harm. I have watched what they have done to a certain Chief Pilot (now ex CP) in Darwin. All based on rumour and innuendo, by their own admission, in writing for Goodness sake!! They have tried to make his life a misery. He won't let them though and continues the fight.
Phelan has written about that case as well. Don't forget that this thread was the "reports of excessive and unreasonable CASA actions."
In the HE case he has been taken to task three times for the same "incidents" all based on reports from disgruntled pilots. Even though his brief has provided the data to CASA they relentlessly bore on. They prosecuted him and lost. But he used a QC called John Langmead. The case ran for 4 days. Shudder to think of the cost. Certainly unresonable if you look at the result!!
From what I hear in the North it seems that this "excessive " tag does not come from the local CASA guys. They seem quite reasonable and understand the difficulties of ops in the Territory.
Howver you try dealing with Haslam and Anastasi and the others in the legal and investigatory branch and you have real problems. They believe they can do no wrong. They tie up the AAT and the witnesses. It is not until they poor witness comes before a proper Court that they relise how CASA works. It ain't easy mate and some have found to their horror that there is no support from CASA and they are left out in the cold.
Word is around that some of these guys are likely to be on the receiving end of some claims for losses suffered by pilots and Companies. Imagine what UZU went thorugh and what it cost. The deepest pockets in aviation disputes with CASA are owned by CASA, and that is why you don't hear about the various losses of CASA because they don't lose that often as the pilot can't afford the cost of the case.
However if you talk to John Langmead ( he did the WA float plane case and the Hone Edwards defence in Darwin) you will find that more and more people are standing up to the big bad wolf. Also some actions against an organisation that shoots first and asks questions may lead the outfit to put its gun back in the pocket!!
Keep digging Paul. Get as much info as you can and keep the bastards honest!
I reckon that cream puff description was right on.
