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-   -   REX (https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/623043-rex.html)

Engineeringthrowaway 4th Jul 2019 01:35


Originally Posted by Saintly (Post 10509077)
So do people think that there really is a problem in terms of safety with their fleet?

I know people who are in a panic and are not keen to fly REX anymore.

No issues at all with safety of their fleet, I was working as an engineer at their Wagga heavy maintenance base recently, and as a whole the place is well run, they do spent money to keep their aircraft in bloody good nick despite their age, and the SAAB 340 is a good solid airframe with a decent safety record from the get go, this is an employment dispute where the one single engineer involved has hit the nuclear button.

KRUSTY 34 4th Jul 2019 03:12

Latest REX Media release
 
I don’t have a good track record with posting links, so can someone who is a little more tech savvy help out?

Despite stating in the previous press release that there would be no further comment, there is now a 2nd, two page release up on the REX website.

According to the release, there is absolutely “Nothing to see here”.

Happy days!

Captain Nomad 4th Jul 2019 07:19

http://www.rex.com.au/MediaRelease/F...bleRemarks.pdf

Chris2303 4th Jul 2019 07:50

A very logical press release from a management that is desperately trying to save their airline.

Horatio Leafblower 4th Jul 2019 08:09


A very logical press release from a management that is desperately trying to save their airline.
AOPA's comments were about CASA's handling of the issue, not about REX's guilt or otherwise. Nowhere did AOPA call for REX to be grounded or hold out that the substance of the report is fact. AOPA just pointed out that in the same circumstances CASA would treat a small business very differently.

Their treatment of Glen Buckley's APTA is possibly the best example in the public sphere at the moment. AOPA knows of several other operators who have similarly received show cause notices from CASA for operating their business in a manner that was formulated with the direct involvement and approval of CASA staff.
Rex really can't blame AOPA for this ****fight.

TBM-Legend 4th Jul 2019 09:31

HL correct "shoot the messenger methinks" and deflect blame. If you read many other REX outbursts on their press release site you'll see fight after fight where everyone else is wrong..

KRUSTY 34 4th Jul 2019 11:51


Originally Posted by Captain Nomad (Post 10509206)

Thanks Cap’

1/2 bank 4th Jul 2019 12:39


Originally Posted by Horatio Leafblower (Post 10509239)
AOPA knows of several other operators who have similarly received show cause notices from CASA

Given these very serious allegations, and likely significant public interest, can we assume that AOPA will be publicly outlining these allegations AOPA are aware of, whether they be AOPA members or otherwise?

KRUSTY 34 4th Jul 2019 22:42


Originally Posted by Engineeringthrowaway (Post 10509090)
No issues at all with safety of their fleet, I was working as an engineer at their Wagga heavy maintenance base recently, and as a whole the place is well run, they do spent money to keep their aircraft in bloody good nick despite their age, and the SAAB 340 is a good solid airframe with a decent safety record from the get go, this is an employment dispute where the one single engineer involved has hit the nuclear button.

I agree with you to a point.

The REX engineering and Safety Management systems are mature and well organised. Your assertion of “the one single engineer” however, either tells me you are a company mole, or you really don’t understand the current problem. Firstly this is not a case of an isolated “disgruntled employee”. This isn’t even a case of rust on propellor shafts. It is about the integrity of the system as a whole.

I know of at least two incidents where Pilots, not Engineers were “councilled” for discovering rust on a propeller shaft. In one case a Senior REX manager demanded to know from a Captain, where in the Flight Crew Operating Manual does it tell you to look there! Additionally the press are reporting the ALAEA have detailed 8 instances of unreported defects. Doesn’t sound like an act of a single disgruntled engineer to me.

The real elephant in the room is just how many defects were not reported, and why? Just one case of non reporting is serious. Multiple cases suggest some sort of systemic problem. This has the potential to undermine the entire Safety Management System. If found to be true, the root cause must be identified, and those responsible held to account.

Rudder 5th Jul 2019 00:05


Originally Posted by KRUSTY 34 (Post 10509842)


I agree with you to a point.

The REX engineering and Safety Management systems are mature and well organised. Your assertion of “the one single engineer” however, either tells me you are a company mole, or you really don’t understand the current problem. Firstly this is not a case of an isolated “disgruntled employee”. This isn’t even a case of rust on propellor shafts. It is about the integrity of the system as a whole.

I know of at least two incidents where Pilots, not Engineers were “councilled” for discovering rust on a propeller shaft. In one case a Senior REX manager demanded to know from a Captain, where in the Flight Crew Operating Manual does it tell you to look there! Additionally the press are reporting the ALAEA have detailed 8 instances of unreported defects. Doesn’t sound like an act of a single disgruntled engineer to me.

The real elephant in the room is just how many defects were not reported, and why? Just one case of non reporting is serious. Multiple cases suggest some sort of systemic problem. This has the potential to undermine the entire Safety Management System. If found to be true, the root cause must be identified, and those responsible held to account.


Irrespective, If these accusations are false and the use of them by an individual (and their union) for HR reasons then CASA equally should be able to apply sanctions to the engineer. The idea that you use the SMS and CASA as a weapon in a personal dispute breaks down the whole purpose of an SMS. By all means if there are issues then it can be reported to CASA for investigation. To then put it in the press to further put pressure on the company and the CASA's investigation is appalling.

The Engineer has a licence he doesn't deserve if this is found to be just what it starting to appear. As for AOPA buying in! Don't get me started. The damage this does to the company and the other staff members including the other engineers and pilots of that company can be significant.

ALAEA Fed Sec 5th Jul 2019 00:36


Originally Posted by Engineeringthrowaway (Post 10509090)
No issues at all with safety of their fleet, I was working as an engineer at their Wagga heavy maintenance base recently, and as a whole the place is well run, they do spent money to keep their aircraft in bloody good nick despite their age, and the SAAB 340 is a good solid airframe with a decent safety record from the get go, this is an employment dispute where the one single engineer involved has hit the nuclear button.

It's not just about one Engineer. There are several involved. It is just that one Engineer has raised matters relating to him to a point that the FWC is considering issuing anti-bullying orders.

Guys the ALAEA did not release this info. It was someone internal to CASA. Tactically and legally we have no reason to release anything as the matters are before the courts. We just started receiving phone calls last week from journos who stated they had been tipped off by a CASA insider.

KRUSTY 34 5th Jul 2019 02:31

Originality posted by Rudder:

“The idea that you use the SMS...as a weapon in a personal dispute breaks down the whole purpose of an SMS.”

Mate, you have no idea how ironic that statement is!

On eyre 5th Jul 2019 03:17


Originally Posted by ALAEA Fed Sec (Post 10509889)
It's not just about one Engineer. There are several involved. It is just that one Engineer has raised matters relating to him to a point that the FWC is considering issuing anti-bullying orders.

Guys the ALAEA did not release this info. It was someone internal to CASA. Tactically and legally we have no reason to release anything as the matters are before the courts. We just started receiving phone calls last week from journos who stated they had been tipped off by a CASA insider.

If the last para is true then time to get the AFP involved ASAP.


wheels_down 5th Jul 2019 10:05

AFP are about as useful as your local council. Get serious.

Shipwreck00 5th Jul 2019 20:40

Where there is smoke there is usually fire. The link to an article i put below a bit raises a few questions but first there is word out of Wagga that casa did a vist to rex late last year and found a lot of problems and gave rex a number of non compliances but rex complained about them and casa withdrew them all. Anyone know if thats true.

Read this
https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/n...safety-culture

So in this news story John Sparp is saying casa did 5 extensive audits on rex since early last year. He also says casa on 22 May sent rex a letter saying casa has no safety issues with rex. There has to be more going on here, since when does casa do 5 audits in a year or so and why would casa take the step to send a letter to rex like that. There must have been something going on for a while here.

5 audits, yes thats 5 and then a letter telling rex casa has no problem with them. Back to the rumour of casa issuing notices and then withdrawing them. This just doesn't add up. Something doesn't smell right here.

​​Now the ALAEA accuses casa of leaking the story to the media. This isn't making sense.

Theres another post here about casa inspections of foreign AMO which sounds more like issues inside casa. Smells like there is a lot more going on here than just accusations of shoddy maintenance at rex.

Anyone else confused.

Arnold E 6th Jul 2019 00:22

It's not just about one Engineer. There are several involved. It is just that one Engineer has raised matters relating to him to a point that the FWC is considering issuing anti-bullying orders.

Guys the ALAEA did not release this info. It was someone internal to CASA. Tactically and legally we have no reason to release anything as the matters are before the courts. We just started receiving phone calls last week from journos who stated they had been tipped off by a CASA insider.

How many is several? There is an article in the SMH that says that the ALAEA is calling for the grounding of the fleet. if this is true then Fed Sec must resign immediately since the purpose of a union is to protect its members not put the entire bussiness at risk. If its not true then the Fed Sec must vigorously deny that article and let the travelling public know there is not a problem with the aircraft. The very damaging video released of "rust" on a propshaft was not rust.

Bend alot 6th Jul 2019 00:30

5 audits in around 18 months is very strange!

Never had an audit exit meeting that was followed up with a findings report, that did not have some non compliance findings and recommendations.

Why would there be a leak from CAsA?

KRUSTY 34 6th Jul 2019 00:32

If not rust Arnold, what is it? C’mon, don’t be shy.


Arnold E 6th Jul 2019 01:08

Apparently just grim wiped off using solvent, you cant remove rust with solvent, unless ofcourse you have some miracle solvent

KRUSTY 34 6th Jul 2019 03:13


Originally Posted by Arnold E (Post 10510861)
Apparently just grim wiped off using solvent, you cant remove rust with solvent, unless ofcourse you have some miracle solvent

Well if that’s the case, this whole “rust” thing on the shaft must be just a furphy. Makes you you wonder about the allegations of staff being pressured not to write it up?

Which if true of course, is the real issue.


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