Merged: PNG CAA Air Safety: ABC Foreign Correspondent
Grandpa Aerotart
This would be a very big ask of the most sophisticated and advanced aviation regulatory and training systems in the world.
PNG operators have always self regulated - I would argue for the most part quite well. Certainly PNG DCA needs to be funded better than it is and staffed with people that KNOW PNG operations backwards - including the loop holes. I would be pleased to be proved wrong but I don't see that ever happening.
I would be surprised if PNG DCA has much more than 30% of the qualified staff it needs to be truly considered a 'functioning' department by international standards. I would be similarly surprised if it gets more than 30% of the funding it requires to be so considered.
As for national aviation infrastructure budgets - 10% might not be a bad guess
Amazing when you think how dependent on aviation PNG is. Not least the fact that Kokoda Trail tourism has boomed in recent years and will undoubtedly be damaged by recent events.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 15th Aug 2009 at 18:21.
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Well said Chuck!
Too many people, including regulators seem to think that aviation only consists of Boeings flying to capital cities.
There is much more to it than that, and regulators and their rules and activities tend often to inhibit services to places where infrastructure may not be so available and loadings are low. But these services can be essential to people doing essential work.
Certainly we have to have rules, but we should not have "Boeing rules" everywhere.
There is much more to it than that, and regulators and their rules and activities tend often to inhibit services to places where infrastructure may not be so available and loadings are low. But these services can be essential to people doing essential work.
Certainly we have to have rules, but we should not have "Boeing rules" everywhere.
PNG isn't Australia and won't nbe in our lifetimes
By Aussie standards the situation in PNG is less than perfect... but I think you'll find that given the number of flights, the terrain and the weather, the aviation scene in PNG is pretty damn safe. The main reasons Aust has such a safe record in flying are the benign weather and the relatively flat nature of the continent.
But good on Foreign Correspondent for making the Aussies sit up and take notice, it might mean some aid heads their way to help pay for protecting precious Aussie lives. Within PNG itself I think you'll find that the population at large is quite happy with the safety record of aviation across the country.
But good on Foreign Correspondent for making the Aussies sit up and take notice, it might mean some aid heads their way to help pay for protecting precious Aussie lives. Within PNG itself I think you'll find that the population at large is quite happy with the safety record of aviation across the country.
This would be a very big ask of the most sophisticated and advanced aviation regulatory and training systems in the world.
PNG operators have always self regulated - I would argue for the most part quite well.
I would think that it would be nigh on impossible to write a comprehensive set of regulatory notes to cover all the nuances of aviation operations in PNG. And if it were possible, squadrons of lawyers still would not be able to understand and clarify those regulations let alone explain them to the operators so that effective operations could still be enabled.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Don't know if this thread really needs resurrecting but thought I'd do so anyway.
Anyone have any information on whether things have changed much in PNG since the previous post on this thread? And if any changes have been for the better?
Anyone have any information on whether things have changed much in PNG since the previous post on this thread? And if any changes have been for the better?
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Sid O'Toole
Pruners:
As some of you may recall, Sid O'Toole was the air accident investigator who "blew the whistle" in 2008 on ABC Foreign Correspondent regarding PNG's poor air safety record and the CAA's alleged lack of an effective air safety approach.
Unfortunately, Sid has been battling cancer for some time and I am now sad to report that his condition has worsened considerably and he has now been hospitalised. The prognosis for recovery is not good.
For the information of all, Sid was a commercial pilot who became a Flight Service Officer with the then Department of Civil Aviation in 1973 and served at a number of FS Centres/Units throughout the QLD region before transferring to the then Bureau of Air Safety Investigation. Following BASI Sid transferred to the Air Safety Investigation Branch in PNG's CAA and ended up as the only investigator inside the ASI before his retirement. Without regard to the potential impact on his career with ASI, Sid was very vocal in criticising the CAA's apparent lack of action in investigating some of the major airline crashes in PNG and, therefore, raising awareness within the aviation community to this aspect.
I will report Sid's ongoing status but ask you all to think of him at this difficult time and to thank him for having the guts to speak out when he saw the need. Hopefully his efforts will not be in vain, and we all now must accept the challenge of continuing the fight for safety improvement in PNG on Sid's behalf.
As some of you may recall, Sid O'Toole was the air accident investigator who "blew the whistle" in 2008 on ABC Foreign Correspondent regarding PNG's poor air safety record and the CAA's alleged lack of an effective air safety approach.
Unfortunately, Sid has been battling cancer for some time and I am now sad to report that his condition has worsened considerably and he has now been hospitalised. The prognosis for recovery is not good.
For the information of all, Sid was a commercial pilot who became a Flight Service Officer with the then Department of Civil Aviation in 1973 and served at a number of FS Centres/Units throughout the QLD region before transferring to the then Bureau of Air Safety Investigation. Following BASI Sid transferred to the Air Safety Investigation Branch in PNG's CAA and ended up as the only investigator inside the ASI before his retirement. Without regard to the potential impact on his career with ASI, Sid was very vocal in criticising the CAA's apparent lack of action in investigating some of the major airline crashes in PNG and, therefore, raising awareness within the aviation community to this aspect.
I will report Sid's ongoing status but ask you all to think of him at this difficult time and to thank him for having the guts to speak out when he saw the need. Hopefully his efforts will not be in vain, and we all now must accept the challenge of continuing the fight for safety improvement in PNG on Sid's behalf.
Last edited by QSK?; 25th May 2014 at 22:49.
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That is very sad news about Sid. He is one of a kind in PNG, a smart man, mighty fine investigator, and not afraid to call bulls#it when a crooked government and a crooked governments departments try to hide, massage or deflect the truth. Sid also worked at times with another like minded person, Alan Stray. The two of them enhanced PNG's investigative capability.
Best wishes and kind thoughts to Sid, his family, friends and followers.
Best wishes and kind thoughts to Sid, his family, friends and followers.
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I am sorry to advise those who knew Sid O Toole that he passed away last Friday evening.
As soon as I receive advice on Sid's funeral arrangements, I will post on this site.
A pilot, FSO and air accident investigator, Sid was one who cared deeply about aviation safety and was always proactive in ensuring safety was foremost in everyone's minds.
Fly high and swiftly, wantok - your contribution won't be forgotten.
As soon as I receive advice on Sid's funeral arrangements, I will post on this site.
A pilot, FSO and air accident investigator, Sid was one who cared deeply about aviation safety and was always proactive in ensuring safety was foremost in everyone's minds.
Fly high and swiftly, wantok - your contribution won't be forgotten.
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I would bet folding money if the UK CAA, US FAA, NZ CAA or CASA got involved with 'regulating' PNG aviation matters the place would grind to a halt in a week.
There seems to be little or no evidence of grinding to a halt in PNG?
Regards to ya all,
The Big E - One time Engine and Airframe Dual Category LAME on DC3, F27, F28, B707, and DHC-7 at PX Lae and POM. We knew how to do it safely then, and still have the required competency.
Take a look at the PNG Rules created around the year 2000 and subsequently up to the present time, and compare them against the NZCAA Rules. I think that you will find a striking similarity, and likewise for the common Rules adopted by the countries who have previously signed up to PASO
Likewise it is not the rules themselves that are a problem; it is the application of the rules, and more particularly the lack of effective oversight that results in problems. This is reflected in the USOAP audits. This is not a failure of the people employed in CASA PNG, but a failure by the PNG government to devote sufficient resources to the cause.
It's a bit like giving up smoking - for any "quit" program to be effective, you have to want to change.
There is nothing wrong with the PNG Rules - in fact most are quite appropriate for the country. A few are not - such as Part 139. PNG simply cannot bring the majority of its aerodromes up to ICAO standards and to expect it to is unrealistic.
As for sufficient competent staff to conduct much needed surveillance of operators, the terms and conditions on offer at CASAPNG don't come close.
When their salaries and fly in fly out arrangements approach those on offer with the local operators, they will attract the right people.
Meantime operators get away with murder - sometimes quite literally.
As for sufficient competent staff to conduct much needed surveillance of operators, the terms and conditions on offer at CASAPNG don't come close.
When their salaries and fly in fly out arrangements approach those on offer with the local operators, they will attract the right people.
Meantime operators get away with murder - sometimes quite literally.
