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-   -   Why does CASA allow twin engine ETOPS operation at all? (https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/604803-why-does-casa-allow-twin-engine-etops-operation-all.html)

Dick Smith 2nd Feb 2018 04:59

Headmaster. Good advice. I have done that. The problem is how some CASA officers interpret the wording.

The “absolute “ nature of the wording allows this.

Fujii. The FAA constantly keep the costs to GA as little as possible and the airspace accessible and simple

Quite different here.

fujii 2nd Feb 2018 05:29


Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10039336)
Headmaster. Good advice. I have done that. The problem is how some CASA officers interpret the wording.

The “absolute “ nature of the wording allows this.

Fujii. The FAA constantly keep the costs to GA as little as possible and the airspace accessible and simple

Quite different here.

I know that but GA has nothing to do with thread. I am just wondering why people are only questioning CASA’s approval of ETOPS when it is a international standard.

Dick Smith 2nd Feb 2018 06:48

I would imagine CASA insisting a powerful airline have extra costs would not be possible.

Clearly CASA can impose extra costs on a non powerful GA industry such as part 61 and get away with it.

zanzibar 2nd Feb 2018 10:05


and it's turned into 4 pages of dribble.
drivel, as well

Wiggley 2nd Feb 2018 19:14


Originally Posted by Lead Balloon (Post 10039007)
The insurance company makes an objective assessment of the probabilities of having to pay out, puts a price and margin on that risk, and off Dick goes in his JetRanger and insurance cover. That’s a commercially-driven decision, not a safety decision.

Dick’s point is that CASA makes equivalent decisions, but pretends they are determined by safety considerations.

For example, there is no safety basis for the classification of operations. Passengers boarding a charter flight on a 9 seat piston aircraft and passengers boarding an RPT flight on a twin jet have no idea about the absolute and comparative probabilities of each aircraft being involved in a fatal accident. Amazingly, if the passengers on the first aircraft happen to be a patient being medevacd, and her husband, the flight is acceptably ‘safe’ at aerial work standards, but not acceptably ‘safe’ if they are just ‘plain old passengers’.

The classification of operations scheme results in some people being less safe than others, based on cost and practical considerations. “Cost and practical considerations” is long-hand for “politics”.

So your (and Dick's) argument is there has been no objective risk assessment for safety? Especially given all the data that exists that proves his point that ETOPS operations are unsafe... wait, he's basing all his "data" around one bit of anecdotal data from a single source.

Dick, how about instead of sounding like someone who is willing to just jump on a single bit of anecdotal evidence because you have a bone to pick, show us an intelligent argument by reasonable person and come to us with hard statistical data you've compiled on engines which power ETOPS approved aircraft and show us what the real probabilities are and how the regulator has compromised safety. Then we all can have a reasonable discussion about this subject.

Because right now your argument has the scientific veracity of that of a flat earther.

Lead Balloon 2nd Feb 2018 20:09

Was there an “objective risk assessment” for “safety”? What were the probabilities at which the mitigations for the perceived risks of ETOPS operations turned those operations from objectively “unsafe” to objectively “safe”?

Are the probabilities of a passenger fatality on a transport category ETOPS operation higher or lower than the probabilities of a passenger fatality on a 9 seat piston twin charter? CASA certifies both operations. Are they equally “safe”? If not, on what objective basis can they both be permitted to continue?

Someone proposes to use a single turbine engined aircraft in RPT operations. Because of the perceived risks of that operation, the regulator mandates that the engine be changed every 100 hours, prohibits the aircraft from operating over built up areas and requires a twin engined aircraft to fly in front with red flags. Were those mitigations a cost-effective and necessary response to the objective risks of engine failure?

You’re missing Dick’s point (although I do concede that he sometimes makes them poorly).

Snakecharma 2nd Feb 2018 21:47

Dick, I think you have answered your own question.


Fortunately, the FAA doesn’t have legislation which says that safety has to be “the most important consideration.”
Like most things in aviation, the meaning swings on the words and the interpretation thereof.

A dictionary says:

consideration
noun
1.
careful thought, typically over a period of time.

"your case needs very careful investigation and consideration"

synonyms: thought, deliberation, reflection, contemplation, cogitation, rumination, pondering, meditation, musing, mulling, examination, inspection, scrutiny, analysis, review, discussion; More

I dont believe there can be any suggestion that casa dont give things such as edto and other safety critical issues, “careful thought” and in most cases “typically over a period of time” much to the annoyance of people trying to actually achieve anything.

The things is the requirement is not to give safety the ONLY consideration.

If that was the case we would all be walking as aviation inherently carries more risk than wrapping yourself in a cocoon and staying in a locked room.

The trick is to manage risk appropriately and in the case of edto that is done with edto/etops design and certification rules, edto fuel policies, edto dispatch policies, edto pilot training, edto maintenance requirements, edto operational requirements etc etc etc.

Dick Smith 2nd Feb 2018 23:19

Wiggly. I have not suggested that ETOP operations are unsafe.

Just that some experts do not believe they comply with the CASA legislation to have safety as the number one consideration.

Possibly in this case CASA has looked at affordability.

Or most likely harmonised with overseas requirements and ignored the act.

tdracer 3rd Feb 2018 00:34


I have recently heard a story about an aeronautical engineer who will not fly on the long trans-oceanic routes in anything less than a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A380. This person claims the reason is safety, and that a twin engine airline jet of similar manufacturing date (and therefore safety features) will never be as safe as a four engine aircraft.
Dick, your whole premise is without basis - i.e. that a quad is safer than an ETOPS operated twin. Now, just so you know, I spent 40 years as a propulsion engineer at Boeing, and I know all about the stuff that went into the original ETOPS approvals (called EROPS back then). Spent several years on the Propulsion Safety Board as well.
The bottom line is this: There has never been an ETOPS twin go down due to dual, unrelated (i.e. not common cause) engine failures. There have been trijets and quads that have crashed due to single engine failures. The greatest engine related risk to multi-engine aircraft is not non-common cause engine thrust loss - it's that there is an engine failure that endangers the aircraft - uncontained engine failures being the biggest one with engine fire being a close second. The greater the number of engines, the greater the risk that an engine will fail catastrophically (google Sioux City DC-10 for a rather dramatic example of how a single engine failure can take down an aircraft, and it took a talented crew and more than a little good luck to get that Qantas A380 safely on the ground after the Trent engine uncontained failure).
In short, there is no data that demonstrates a twin, operated under ETOPS rules, is less safe than a quad or a tri. There is data that demonstrates the opposite. As for your aerospace engineer friend, well the less said the better.

Lookleft 3rd Feb 2018 01:44


Wiggly. I have not suggested that ETOP operations are unsafe.

Just that some experts do not believe they comply with the CASA legislation to have safety as the number one consideration.

Possibly in this case CASA has looked at affordability.

Or most likely harmonised with overseas requirements and ignored the act.
So what is your point? Now you are criticizing CASA for harmonising Australian requirements with that of, one presumes, the best of overseas practise to save Australian operators having to comply with uniquely Australian requirements.:ugh:

Why don't you take your case from the court of pprune and go to the media and tell them that thousands of Australian air travellers have been exposed to an unacceptable risk because CASA has breached their own legislation. Then put a legal team together to take CASA to court for their flagrant breach of the law. Only you have the resources and the interest in doing so.

Dick Smith 3rd Feb 2018 02:56

TD. If during the three plus hours a twin on one engine is exposed when heading for an alternate are you suggesting there is no chance of the remaining engine failing?

Would it not be operating at a higher power level?

Surely there would be a small measurable chance of a second failure?

If that was at night over a rough ocean could that have serious consequences?

Look left. CASA quotes 9a to prevent GA moving to lower costs. Look at ADSB and part 91.

Lookleft 3rd Feb 2018 03:52

As always Dick you sidestep the question then throw in an irrelevant response.

You are not talking about GA or ADSB in this thread. You are referring to CASA not following 9a WRT ETOPS or EDTO specifically.

You made the following statement:

Or most likely harmonised with overseas requirements and ignored the act.
As you are a vocal critic of CASA not following this practise it would seem that you are now accusing them of following the practise of taking the best ideas from overseas and therefore putting the Australian public in danger. :confused:

Take it to Ean Higgins and let him know of this latest attempt by CASA to fail to follow their own legislation.

Dick Smith 3rd Feb 2018 05:34

I support ETOPS. I support CASA supporting ETOPS.

I support CASA when it makes safety decisions that take into account affordability.

I reckon it would be better for the CASA legislation to clearly reflect this position.

Does anyone agree?

tdracer 3rd Feb 2018 05:50


Originally Posted by Dick Smith (Post 10040383)
TD. If during the three plus hours a twin on one engine is exposed when heading for an alternate are you suggesting there is no chance of the remaining engine failing?

Would it not be operating at a higher power level?

Surely there would be a small measurable chance of a second failure?

If that was at night over a rough ocean could that have serious consequences?

Look left. CASA quotes 9a to prevent GA moving to lower costs. Look at ADSB and part 91.

Dude, did you even read what I wrote?
The probability of a catastrophic engine related accident does not go down with more than two engines - it goes up. There is a massive statistical data base that backs that up. Sure, an extended single engine diversion might be unpleasant - but it's not inherently unsafe, it's taken into account in the processes and procedures, and it's quite rare.
Statistically, two engines are safer than four. Your claim that CASA isn't following their own regulations by allowing twin ETOPS is not supported by any facts. All your bleating to the contrary simply makes you look silly.



Does anyone agree?
No, and we're still looking for you to provide any evidence to back up your claims (gut feel doesn't count).

itsnotthatbloodyhard 3rd Feb 2018 05:57


Dude, did you even read what I wrote?
You’re new here, then?

I’m honestly struggling to see the point of this thread, except as an exercise in attention-seeking.

Dick Smith 3rd Feb 2018 06:02

Tdracer. Who are you trying to protect?

I will give a simpler example. CASA allows lower certified standard airline aircraft to service small country towns. This is clearly not giving the most important consideration to safety- it is putting affordability in front of costly extra safety features.

CASA is not complying with the act. Do you understand?

That is the reason for the thread. Imagine having to live a lie in your everyday work?

Dick Smith 3rd Feb 2018 06:11

The prime reason that the major aircraft manufacturers have pushed for ETOPS approvals is so they can sell more aircraft , get more people flying and make more money.

It was not to improve safety over four engined aircraft. Not once has anyone claimed that is was to increase safety. If that was so they would say so!

Lookleft 3rd Feb 2018 06:23

See Dick, you can't keep your own argument on the logic path.:D

You finally admit that you support ETOPS then you launch into this:


The prime reason that the major aircraft manufacturers have pushed for ETOPS approvals is so they can sell more aircraft , get more people flying and make more money.

It was not to improve safety over four engined aircraft. Not once has anyone claimed that is was to increase safety. If that was so they would say so!
Now you're against the manufacturer's and their capitalistic ways. How utterly contemptible for any company to want to increase their profits.

The main reason you started this thread is you wanted everyone in pprune land to acknowledge that you are right and that CASA are not applying their legislation consistently and you were just using ETOPs as an example. Well there's a revelation , CASA have one rule for one lot and a different rule for the rest all embedded in the same rules. There is nothing new in what you have discovered, have you seen the difference between the requirements for aerial work and that for charter?

The biggest mistake people have made on this thread is taking you at face value in suggesting that ETOPs is the issue.:=

Dick Smith 3rd Feb 2018 06:24

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236

Fortunate passengers to have a glider pilot captain.

I am not against the manufacturers. I support the concept of affordable safety. Always have

CASA should tell the facts about this

Car RAMROD 3rd Feb 2018 06:29

Dick, how far do you want to take the "safety must be the most important consideration" thing?

Do you want to mandate that every aircraft must take off with full tanks, and must plan to land with half remaining?
And also wrap every passenger in flame proof bubble wrap and wear a helmet in case of a crash? And with a small scuba setup in case of a ditching?
Because after all, that is surely safer than allowing passengers to wear shorts, singlets and thongs!


I think you are twisting words and interpreting what's written with your own agenda clouding things.

As for the Airbus Glider, it probably would have been good if the pilots didn't pump fuel overboard. That in itself is not an EDTO or two-engine-aircraft-only screwup. If they had 3, 4 or even 12 engines the outcome would have been the same.


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