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kimwestt
12th Aug 2010, 23:29
Anyone (other than the Casa:ugh:) shed any light as to why CASA:ugh: are mandating that Check & Training be put in place for the new Cessna Mustang? Well under the 5700 kg level, this aircraft was designed and built by Cessna to be one of the easiest, single pilot aircraft ever built to fly (and it is)! The requirement for 4 proficiency checks per year for each C&T man, each of a 3 hour duration, plus check rides with CASA:ugh:, has virtually excluded the Mustang from Charter operations through prohibitive costs. All at the direction of the ""CB Policy Maker:ugh:". The CASA:ugh: foi's, well at least one of them, is pleading with the industry "not to shoot the messenger". For a small Charter operation the C&T manual replicates that required for large RPT operations. Completely unrealistic and totally impractical.
Observations, anyone?
Before, that is, the aircraft is returned to Cessna as being economicaly unviable in Oz.

rmcdonal
13th Aug 2010, 02:21
Link or reference? Does this apply to similar size jets?

Mach E Avelli
13th Aug 2010, 02:49
These VLJs pose some concerns to manufacturers, insurers and rulemakers alike. Any fat-cat can go trade in his Bonanza on one of these things. But at least processes are being put into place to ensure that said fat-cat reaches some minimal standard.
The 5700 kg thing is just typical of arbitrary points so prevalent in aviation. It may not be just CASA looking at the revising requirements regardless of 5700 kg. ICAO perhaps?
It really needs to be a function of the complexity of the operation, when viewed overall. The aeroplane may be dead easy to drive for as long as it all works well, but speed, high level weather, airspace etc. can be quite unforgiving at times, and when all the pretty glass displays go blank and the autopilot goes on strike, how easy will it be for some people then? I for one don't want these fat-cats tooling around with no proper training and checking. Ergo, those that set themselves up to do said training and checking need to reach a bit more than the basic standard needed to fly, say, a Seminole below 10,000 feet on 200nm sectors. This is not to denigrate those that do fly light twins - such flying has its own demands but does NOT prepare one for a depressurization problem at FL370 on a dark and stormy night 500 miles from nowhere.

bizzybody
13th Aug 2010, 03:38
All VLJ's are now requiring a C & T not just the mustang.

I looked at a Eclipse and was told good luck with the C & T from CASA

the wizard of auz
13th Aug 2010, 03:49
I would actually prefer to have a problem in the Citation I fly on occasion than the C310 I own. it is a far easier aircraft to fly and handle with a problem than the cabin class twins. I will take an EFATO in the Citation over the 310 on any day. No fancy glass panel in the old gal I get to drive and hand flying isnt all that difficult, even at FL350. The depressurization problem isnt a biggy if your trained for it and certainly doesnt require quarterly checks in my opinion...... but hey, what would I know.

How cool is that. If you type EFATO you get what appears in the brackets automatically.......... tekolijy is an amazing fing.

Jack Ranga
13th Aug 2010, 05:10
Because they will be the new 'Dr Killers'

I wouldn't have a problem with it if the same rules were to apply to the the C310's (as mentioned by Wiz) PA31's etc

Ando1Bar
13th Aug 2010, 05:19
EFATO

Couldn't resist...



Nothing happened :(

Mach E Avelli
13th Aug 2010, 05:27
Everyone seems to judge the difficulty of flying multi engine aircraft based on EFATO handling. In fact the likelihood of losing an engine between lift-off and blue line on a light twin, or right at V1 on a 'heavy' is really quite remote. If the failure occurs before blue line in the twin, how hard can it be to make the choice to land ahead? If it happens at blue line, how hard can it be to fly that speed and feather an engine? We practice for the unlikely, and become quite proficient at it. What I am banging on about is flight MANAGEMENT of more complex problems which bugsmasher pilots (sorry) may not have training for. Electrical failures, icing, pressurization, high altitude upset etc etc.
Bring on mandatory checking of the training/checkers....and bring on mandatory annual or bi-annual full simulator refresher programs for all who fly the flight levels at 6 miles a minute. Anyone with the brass for a VLJ can afford this. It's patent BS to say that the imposition of some extra mandatory training will destroy the viability of a 3 or 4 million dollar 'toy'. If it's that financially marginal, stay with that old Cessna 310.

ForkTailedDrKiller
13th Aug 2010, 06:02
What a load of complete drivel!

Joe Bloggs can fly his TBM 850 at FL280 and 320 kts on a PPL, PIFR and a Biennial Flight Review but you need C&T four times a year to pedal a VLJ ???

Someone really thought that through!

Dr :8

27/09
13th Aug 2010, 08:40
I don't think the issue here is some fat-cat getting a VLJ and blasting off in to the sunset the minute the cheque he presented for the puchase has cleared, we are talking about a charter operator, who no doubt will have properly qualified pilots flying the thing, having to meet onerous C & T standards equal to or better than the requirements for an RPT operator who operates equipment over 5700kg.

I've not heard of such requirements on this side if the ditch or anywhere else. It wouild seem that "someone" has decided they know more than the rest of the world including the maufacturer. Now that is a very Australian way to do things.

Before any of you Aussie get upset by that comment, we do it here too, just we're not as good at it as you guys are. :ok:

27/09
13th Aug 2010, 08:48
One other thing, while I agree that anyone who has the cash to buy one of these can probably afford to pay to C & T, however very often these types of machine are not owned by the charter operator.

When that operator then has to fork out the hourly lease rate at 12 hours per year per pilot plus other CASA check rides, you have to be making serious money or be doing serious hours to make the aircraft pay it's way. Probably simpler and cheaper to use a 30 year old pistion twin instead.

megle2
13th Aug 2010, 08:59
Have a look at what casa requires for a PC12, same thing, full 217.
1 pilot / 1 aircraft. A nightmare for the Owner.

Its all about power / extra endorsements for the FOI.
Its not about safety.

Nothing to do with safety.

43Inches
13th Aug 2010, 09:08
Airlines have C & T with about 4 checks a year (2 sim and 2 on-line) why should passenger charter be any different (whatever the aircraft size). You are either carrying people for hire or reward or not. I have never understood the difference in the value of a human life between buying a seat (RPT) or renting the whole aircraft (Charter).

As far as private owners are concerned the youtube video of the citation swimming around a river on one engine is proof they need some sort of supervision.


has virtually excluded the Mustang from Charter operations through prohibitive costs.


So you are saying that 4 non-revenue flights on this aircraft a year will make it too expensive to operate?

If this is the case it was never competetive anyway.

megle2
13th Aug 2010, 10:10
43 - your correct but thats not getting to the issue.
Its 4 flights for the pilot plus the same for each of the other 217 checkers plus a play pilots by the FOI.

The point is all these new safer aircraft are jumped on by the casa wizards with all their rule interpretations and perfect world requirements.

Meanwhile the old clunkers which don't attract the casa FOI's desire or attention just continue on.

The new aircraft are never going to make money in charter and the Owner can live with that.

The problem is the aircraft gets hamstrung with training, crewing and over attention by casa. Eventually the owners get jack of it and gives charter a miss. The punters are then left with the old 20 - 35 year old aircraft again.

And this is after the frustrations of a 1 or 2 year delay in the issue of the AOC.

43Inches
13th Aug 2010, 10:58
The new aircraft are never going to make money in charter and the Owner can live with that.

This has been the problem with GA for many years, even when the C310 and PA31 were brand new machines. GA has for a long time been a hobby farm which has capped its own potential more than any over-bearing regulator. If you look where the new aircraft are going its in the well run areas of GA like the many new large budget flying colleges, aeromedical services etc...

Charter companies in GA are generally very poorly managed small operators with the wrong equipment. How many successful bus and taxi companies operate one vehicle, not many because to offer reasonable fares with reduced overheads you need a number for satisfactory income. Aviation is no different, you need a number of aircraft and pilots with constant utilisation to make it work whether its a school, charter or RPT.

In the US they have the jet share programs for private operators and so on.


The problem is the aircraft gets hamstrung with training, crewing and over attention by casa. Eventually the owners get jack of it and gives charter a miss. The punters are then left with the old 20 - 35 year old aircraft again.



What punters are we talking about here?

Those that can afford a jet can charter them from the established jet operators, there are a number around each major city. Unfortunately a new jet is not going to compete on a cost basis with an old piston aircraft, even if you mandated the same T & C schedule. However most "punters" that can afford regular charters will stipulate turbine only and will pay the premium.

As Mach E Avelli stated earlier once you get over the lack of performance in an engine failure generally if the older aircraft are operated and maintained to the rules they are easier to keep current on.

The jet however is hurtling around in the flight levels with all sorts of other considerations other than engine failure to contend with.

wombat_keeper
13th Aug 2010, 11:21
MACH A EVELLI
I don't like your tone,
Im sure if you had your way you wouldn't have any " fat cats" tooling around
in your happy flight levels regardless of aircraft performance.
You strike me as the type that knows everything about aviation except how to make it to the big time yourself, or even get by on a GA wage without crying to the regulator to make things harder ,dearer and more time consuming for those who effectively feed you.

MEGLE2 is quite correct in saying that you can throw all the official intervention at the operator/ pilot with no guarantee of an improvement in safety. however the FOI , " instructors " and various other white collar thugs are guaranteed their cut. :ugh:

F111
13th Aug 2010, 11:24
Many moons ago the charter company I was working for wanted to set up a check and training system based on CAR 217, but CASA said no. They were more than happy for our pilots to only do their instrument rating, which were done outside of the company using any ATO they could find. This company was operating C310s, PA31s and 3 turboprops.

So it shows the way CASA think at times.

neville_nobody
13th Aug 2010, 11:50
If CASA were to legislate that light jets have to go under a CAR 217 program then so will the Cheyenne IV and the Piaggio Avanti as they both fly single pilot as high and fast as any light jet. And if those turboprops are in then so are every similar class turboprop. Just make all IFR charter companies operate under a 217 program.

In reality how many 'small charter operators' are going to have the funds and resources to operate a small jet anyway?

F111's post shows where the real heart of the problem lies, CASA are not consistent in their application of the law. West Coast FOI's say one thing East Coast FOI's say another.

Mach E Avelli
13th Aug 2010, 12:03
Wombat & Forkie, I am quite happy to share the sky with properly trained pilots. I do object to those who want to take softcock options in aviation. Just as I am sure that you are happy to share the roads with competent drivers, but get a tad cross with the idiots out there who (in your view) got their licence off a Weetie packet.
And I am tired of hearing people who play with aeroplanes moan about training costs. Fuel, yes, licensing yes, compliance perhaps, maintenance maybe, but training???

Capt Fathom
13th Aug 2010, 13:03
Its all about power / extra endorsements for the FOI.
Its not about safety.

Nothing to do with safety.

Well, as a matter of fact...
It's all about safety!

I don't want to be sharing the FL's with someone who has no training or experience in the FL's. And nor does ATC!

Just have a read through some of the US incident/accident reports regarding high level piston/turboprop singles. Most ending in fatalities!

VH-MLE
13th Aug 2010, 14:36
Hi all,

No disrespect to anyone and just a different point view but the statement a "depressurization problem isnt a biggy if your trained for it" is a biggy for real in my view and one that no amount of training can realistically prepare you for, especially in the high flight levels (e.g FL350 and higher).

Any aircraft that operates at those sorts of levels commands a very high level of respect and training (both initial and ongoing) IMHO.

I would like to see where the prescriptive "requirement for 4 proficiency checks per year for each C&T man, each of a 3 hour duration, plus check rides with CASA" as advised by kimwestt is published, can you post it here Kim (if that is your name) as I would like to review it please.

Cheers.

VH-MLE

davidgrant
13th Aug 2010, 22:31
Gentlemen,
I've been reading the posts here and the issues raised, some I agree with some I dont. Many are missing the point a little. When our company began operating the Mustang in Charter category we felt we were lifting the game by offering an aircraft far superior in both comfort and above all in safety than many of the current 30 year old machines. We have also invested a considerable amount of money to equip the machine for aero medical transfers, which it can accomplish in a very cost affective manner. We are mindful of the fact that this is a whole new era we are entering, and perhaps we are the first to put our toe in the water so to speak. To say we would let anyone loose in the aircraft without proper experience and training is unimaginable, we already run a training and checking program close to CAR 217 standards.
I agree with CASA's concerns regarding oversight and standards for these VLJ aircraft, and I also agree that some sort of C&T should be required, but this is not a fleet of aircraft we are talking about here it is a single aircraft.
If it is successful I have no doubt that more will follow, where formal CAR 217 may become cost effective. The imposition of CAR 217 for a single aircraft is huge cost burden and in itself may be counter productive in encouraging operators into modern safer aircraft. I feel that oversight and standards could be tackled in a much more cost effective way.
Examination of the requirements of CAR 217 the regulations are written for a one size fits all, ie there is not much difference between what is required by say, Qantas, or for a small charter operator.
It has been mentioned here operators should carefully choose a multi purpose fleet of different types to fit the market, CAR 217 discourages that because once you go past 3 or 4 types your C&T staff would be spending more time doing checks on themselves than actually checking line pilots, CAR 217 is written basically for a single type fleet. CAR 217 will also not address the issue of private operation, there are already many far higher performing aircraft mixing it with the heavy traffic that have no CASA oversight, either because they are privately operated or on a foreign register.
The imposition of CAR 217 for a single aircraft also raises a safety issue of currency. The machine in its first year flew 300 hours, it is expected to fly 400 in its second. CAR 217 will require those hours to be divided between two pilots. There is a lot of evidence from the USA to suggest that when currency drops below 200 hours per year the potential for an accident rises dramatically.
The requirement for CAR 217 has been imposed selectively on VLJ's but not on their main competitors turbo prop and larger piston types which in many ways are far more complicated to fly yet share fairly close performance parameters.
Back when I first started flying all flight tests were conducted by CASA, an instrument ratings required a six monthly check by a CASA FOI. Perhaps the answer to this issue is put some wings on the emu's CASA employs as FOI's and get them out in the industry checking standards until such time as an operation can sustain a full CAR 217 organisation.

Brian Abraham
14th Aug 2010, 03:40
What hoops does Dick Smith have to jump through in order to pedal his CJ3 about?

gas-chamber
14th Aug 2010, 07:33
"Perhaps the answer to this issue is put some wings on the emu's CASA employs as FOI's and get them out in the industry checking standards until such time as an operation can sustain a full CAR 217 organisation".

Great idea, but the 1st to operate a type would have to foot the bill for any CASA FOI training. In the country of airplane builder of course so USA, France, Brazil here we come! Those guys only go business class, too.

megle2
14th Aug 2010, 09:32
Dick would just do the CIR annual renewal.
He may voluntarily do more but its not mandated.

F111
14th Aug 2010, 10:14
Yep, just like the drivers of most business jets, 1 trip a year to FSI or the like.

PLovett
14th Aug 2010, 13:20
In addition to whatever CASA may require the more logical driver of competency checks will be the insurance companies.

The premium hike for a flying organisation who employs a business jet jockey and does not require them to undergo biannual competency training is more than the cost of such training. In addition the premium on the Directors and Officers cover will also take a substantial hike if they travel with an organisation that does not comply with industry standard check and training.

I was made aware of these requirements when one of Australia's richest men had to hire an aircraft to complete a journey rather than travel in his own aircraft. It was the insurance company who held his Directors and Officers insurance that mandated he only travel in a multi-crew aircraft and where the crew met certain training standards, otherwise no cover.

Peter Fanelli
14th Aug 2010, 18:35
Anyone (other than the Casa:ugh:) shed any light as to why CASA:ugh: are mandating that Check & Training be put in place for the new Cessna Mustang? Well under the 5700 kg level, this aircraft was designed and built by Cessna to be one of the easiest, single pilot aircraft ever built to fly (and it is)!
Because when you take a machine which requires certain skills to operate and make it very simple to operate they start to fall into the hands of idiots who have more money than brain cells and the result is....

N1Yf6_MVTck&feature=related


Same goes for Ferraris, just google wrecked ferraris and you'll see what I mean.

Ferrari wrecked after crash // Current (http://current.com/15p3u4c)

Grogmonster
15th Aug 2010, 00:01
Guys,

Here are some facts.

1. Cessna mandates that Flight Safety trains new Mustang pilots to a certain standard. Firstly before you go to FSI you have to fill out a questionnaire outlining previous experience. Once that is completed and submitted FSI will get back to you and advise if in fact you can sit for a Single Pilot Command FAA type rating or they will advise that you will be given a type rating with a "Schedule Of Experience" requirement. This means that you have to have an experienced 'Mentor" pilot sit next to you for 50 - 100 hours.

2. Now please note in the above comment that the FAA calls it a type rating as opposed to a multi engine endorsement. Secondly nowhere is it suggested that CASA imposed any of these requirements. It was the manufacturer, Cessna.

3. In my experience the number of checks required under CAR217 is once every 6 months with a requirement that part of the check must contain a sector flown at night once every 12 months.

4. I understand that one particular CASA FOI was sent to do the Mustang course at the expense of CASA and not at the expense of any operator.

So to all of those out there who believe they are good enough to do a quick 2.5 hour endorsement and fly away as PIC in a Mustang please let me know when you are flying so I can stay safely on the ground.

Groggy

kimwestt
15th Aug 2010, 10:01
i was wondering where you were groggy, memory or the legs? As I understand it, the current requirement (read interpretation) for Mustang C&T is for 4 company check rides in a 12 month period, each of three hours, plus check rides with CASA, as CASA requires. A bit more than the six monthly routine, eh? Some of, to my knowledge, that is, of the newly endorsed drivers are getting their endorsements from recently FSI recurrent certified pilots, one in particular has thousands of hours on the Citation family aircraft.
Those that are going to be "TURNED LOOSE" commercially will not be turned loose until after the completion of the C&T programme.
That being said, you might feel a little more confident in getting airborne!!

Chocks Away Chaps!!

Grogmonster
15th Aug 2010, 10:41
Kim,

I appreciate your point of view but what document are you interpreting? Or is this from CASA direct? By the way its normally both legs and head. After all why waste the effort.

Groggy

VH-MLE
15th Aug 2010, 12:24
Kimmy,

"As I understand it, the current requirement (read interpretation) for Mustang C&T is for 4 company check rides in a 12 month period, each of three hours, plus check rides with CASA, as CASA requires" - for the second time please post the specific details and not an "as I understand it.... which with all due respect means nothing (to me at least).

Looking forward to seeing the specifics please.

Cheers.

VH-MLE

Mach E Avelli
16th Aug 2010, 01:34
Davidgrant, thank you for your measured response. If your VLJ will only fly 400 hours in a year, it seems that you have two problems. The first is how to make a profit on 400 hours out of such an investment, and is no-one's business except yours. CASA rightly is not concerned with your profit and loss situation, unless losses translate to dodgy operational practices.
Your second problem should be a concern to yourself, your clients and insurers etc. How to keep your pilots up to speed with relatively few flying hours/sectors? Why not approach CASA with 'an equivalent level of safety' argument? Offer to send your pilots back to Flight Safety once per year for refresher training and a proficiency check in the simulator. Small operators (and even some quite large) tend to fall behind the times if they don't expose their training staff to outside influences. They often develop some rather quaint practices - reinventing aviation for the mere sake of it - or end up in a training time-warp by never updating procedures. Specialist training companies like Flight Safety gather information from many incidents, accidents and operators' service problems, so regular visits there can only be beneficial. Then, to satisfy the CASA regulation regarding two checks per year, offer to do a line proficiency check at the mid-year point in the actual aircraft on revenue operations. Make it over a minimum two sectors per pilot with two instrument approaches. Of course, keeping the emergency scenarios to question and answer and touch drills only. I recall the pertinent regulation uses words to describe the proficiency check emergency requirements rather loosely - as in 'of sufficient nature' etc etc.

davidgrant
16th Aug 2010, 10:19
I hear you, been a long time recipient of Flight Safety training, sort of makes OZ style GA training look like kiddies playing in a sand box. I envy the airline guys with the resources they have available.
Its really all about economy of scale unfortunately. There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but time and a budget unfortunately play against you at times.
As I mentioned we are perhaps the first in the market with this "Toy" as you call it, I call it a "giant Coke can powered by two hair dryers", but regardless it still offers a level of safety way above its older competitors.Hopefully we can continue to grow its utilisation to a level where a formal check and training program is sustainable, as I said we already run an informal one, we use a very senior retired airline C&T pilot for oversight, without the cost burden of CASA. In the near future we are hopeful that a Flight Safety type simulator will become available in Australia which, if it is available to us, will solve a lot of the cost issues.In the mean time CASA could surely help encourage the move to modern,safer aircraft by taking responsibility for oversight and standards, I have no problem, in fact I would encourage them to fly with us, at the end of the day its all about safety.
Regards
David

kimwestt
17th Aug 2010, 00:08
I'm with you - why waste the effort on one end only!!
The scenario I painted was from CASA directly. One of the most disturbing parts to me is that there is seemingly no relationship between the CAAP and the publicly available documents and the verbally espoused requirements. Oh, and yeah, there is supposed to be a secret and confidential document that wil, if you are allowed access to said document, allow you to produce a CAR217 program that might get signed off.
God help anyone who relies on the CAAP and the info from the CASA web site (AOC guide).

bizzybody
13th Nov 2010, 23:09
has anyone heard if this requirement has actually come into force yet?

cant find anything saying it has / hasnt

Skynews
14th Nov 2010, 00:22
I haven't read every post, so excuse me if this is already covered.

Some one will set up a 217 organization that will cater for these type of machines. Much cheaper than employing your own check pilot, has to be better than a CASA FOI who in reality will probably have no practacle experience on the types mentioned.

If there is one of a kind aircraft it won't be cheaper, possibly higher quality, more than one of a kind and there are $$$$$$ savings.

Rose_Thorns
14th Nov 2010, 00:46
Courtesy Capt W.J.R. Hamilton. I love this!!.
A MEMBER RECENTLY ASKED ME WHY WE HAVE ---
SPECIAL RULES FOR JETS IN “G”

In light of my almost 40 years experience on almost 100 types, here is the most probable reason for this local peculiarity, a result of “aeroblight” , a recent discovery of widely acclaimed aviation consultants Aero Omni Pestcontrol Associated, or AOPA for short, not to be confused with Any Old Pilots Association, AOPA for short.
Consultancy is the only thriving sector of Australian aviation.

Dear Jim
Firstly, by virtue of the fact that a jet at 150 knots is flying much faster than a Dash 8 or a BAe Pipedream 31 at 150 knots, and a 38 seat high capacity jet carries many more people than a low capacity 38 seat Dash 8. All turbines simply streak past a Cessna 421 dawdling downwind at 150kts.
We all know how fast jets are !!

Jets have only one lever per engine, ( Cynthia, the anti ice is a switch) compared to the much more simple turbo prop, with its throttles, condition levers, and propeller control levers, propeller anti ice systems, or; the super simplified throttle levers, mixture levers, pitch levers, carb. hot air levers, cowl flaps levers or switches, fuel boost HI/LO and magneto switches and propeller anti ice system etc. of the average piston engine, ------ not to mention the average of sixteen ways you can screw up the fuel selection on the average piston twin, for instant silence.

The ON/OFF ( and in some cases not even ON/OFF --- Just OFF when you pull a Fire Switch) jet fuel systems are just too much for the average pilot
A even greater problem on all the modern jets is something called FADEC, which eliminates the power and engine life enhancing “ Instant Detonation” mode of piston operation, when in the “ham fisted overboost” phase of flight, starting as it does just, after engine start and ending at engine shutdown.

A further problem with a jet engine is very slow acceleration time, where it can take as long as 4 seconds to go from flight idle to in flight takeoff thrust, compared with the very rapid 4 seconds it can take a turbo prop to increase from flight idle to max torque.

None of this compares with the almost instant effect of slamming the throttles of any piston engine of the GTSIO variety to the firewall ---- the tinkle tinkle little cash register effect.
Other jet performance impediments, include such as a lousy rate of climb out of low level airspace of as little as 4000 ft per minute, compared to the sparkling 800 ft per minute of a Beech Porcupine (on a good day) and the positively breathtaking performance of a hot, high and heavy Cessna 402, as in it: takes your breath away that you didn’t hit anything, again !! Blessed be the curvature of the earth.

Thus we must have a standard safety rule from CASA that says that all airfields which have jet services must be an MBZ. Very dangerous these new fangled machine are, only been operating them for more than 50 years, not like the tried and true turboprops that we have been operating for nearly 55 years.

Remember also that the large windows of new jets cockpits do not have the advanced and enhanced visibility features of the viewing ports of the BAe Baddream 31, or the vision enhancing engine running indicators, attached to big round things bolted to large planks, usually found just above the pilot's respective outboard ears, or buttocks, depending on particular manufacturer preferences.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, the view from the BAe146 is just great, especially if you have the DV windows open. This window open not only eliminates the blue oil haze in the cockpit but allows you to “ look through” the bugs smeared on the windscreen. At least pilots do not have a problem with bird strikes on the 146, birds don’t fly that slowly.

The BAe 146 aircraft has a further very important feature to encourage pilots to look out, and be vigilant for other traffic.

You can’t see half the instruments, so you may as well look out for other traffic.
The HSI is barely visible, and the CDI is obscured to pilots of normal stature, as operators await the availability of the long rumored “transparent control column” Service Bulletin..
All this is a real safety gain, as research shows that compliance with communications procedures at CTAFs are better than MBZ's, clearly making MBZ's safer, as at least somebody is looking out the window, rather than just talking, on some flights around an MBZ.

OR IS THERE A FLAW IN MY LOGIC ???
Naturally, to enhance safety, no croppy (aerial pest exterminators, or APE, as they are popularly known as) with a dud radio would consider flying into Longreach on Wednesday (without radio), just in case last Sunday's weekly jet was a little behind schedule.

Standardisation is a laudable aim, so naturally we should always promulgate unneeded, unjustified, meaningless, pointless and unenforceable airfield restrictions H24, one cannot be too safe, can one.
As the years go by, services will increase, nothing like having any unnecessary and ineffective restrictions well proven years ahead.

Plan ahead, that’s what I say.
Say after me the creed, "Marconi Rules, OOOH Yeahhhh", ( No, not the Sydney Soccer Club, Cynthia, the Italian bloke who invented the flapping lip mode of flight, refined and perfected in Australia, an antipodean unique application of acoustic lift theory – if you quit talking, the aeroplane quits flying)

Strange that other countries are not flocking to our door, to see how we organize a collapse in a vital industry, General Aviation, once a major jobs generator in rural and regional Australia.

The Australian economy is the best it has been for many years.
General Aviation elsewhere is booming, we have obviously struck the correct balance in Australia, eliminating such simplistic notions as “when the economy booms, aviation booms.”
Regards,
Bill Hamilton.

LeadSled
14th Nov 2010, 02:33
Just have a read through some of the US incident/accident reports regarding high level piston/turboprop singles. Most ending in fatalities!

Fathom,
And read a little further, most of the fatals in executive jets have been Part 135 operators (ie: AOC), not "private" operations.
Tootle pip!!