Skydiving resumes at Barwon Heads?
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Gday
From Today's Australian
Skydiving firm faces shutdown
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
08 January 2005
A SKYDIVING operator being investigated over the death of British tourist Claire Barnes has been threatened with possible closure after the air safety regulator accused it of posing "a serious and imminent risk" to aviation safety.
Luke McWilliam, who runs Skydive City at Barwon Heads in Victoria, has until January 28 to respond to a "show cause" notice from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which contains dozens of alleged safety breaches.
The aviation watchdog says in the document that it is investigating whether Mr McWilliam, Skydive City and chief instructor Greg Bayly "have engaged in conduct that constitutes, contributes to or has resulted in a serious and imminent risk to aviation safety".
Mr McWilliam said he intended to answer the allegations, which he claimed were part of a campaign of harassment by "certain individuals" involved in a long-running legal dispute over land.
However, he failed to respond to a list of written questions submitted by The Weekend Australian on Wednesday.
The investigation could result in an order preventing Skydive City from conducting jumps within Australia and/or the reinstatement of a ban on jumps near the Barwon Heads airport.
The show-cause notice also raises issues about the death last March of 24-year-old Barnes, the daughter of British newsreader Carol Barnes and Foreign Office Minister Denis McShane.
An interim report by the Australian Parachute Federation found Barnes fell 4000m to her death after failing to pack her parachute properly.
CASA says in the document that it understands Barnes was issued with a "packer B" rating after a recommendation from a Skydive City employee.
"An important issue arising from the facts and circumstances referred to above is whether Skydive City took the necessary steps to ensure that Ms Barnes was adequately trained before she was issued with a packer B rating and whether sufficient assistance was provided to Ms Barnes to ensure that proper attention was given to her equipment assembly, maintenance and packing," it says.
The new show-cause notice is part of a long-running dispute involving Skydive City that led to a ban on skydiving in the immediate vicinity of Barwon Heads airport last year.
The Federal Court quashed the CASA ban last month when it ruled the skydiving operator had not been given a fair hearing. The court win came after Mr McWilliam was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered to donate $10,000 to a hospital after pleading guilty in Geelong Court to 21 safety breaches in July last year.
The court was told CASA investigators had seized videos showing skydivers jumping through cloud on 20 occasions.
CASA issues a show-cause notice when it has concerns that the operations of a company or person breaches its regulations. Most show-cause notices are issued over safety concerns.
A person or company receiving a show-cause notice must prove they are operating safely. Time frames to answer such notices vary according to the nature of the allegation.
The situation is complicated by the fact that skydiving is regulated by the parachute federation, but CASA has overall responsibility for aviation safety.
I think this article say's it all, where are all those skydive suporters.
Cheers Q
From Today's Australian
Skydiving firm faces shutdown
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
08 January 2005
A SKYDIVING operator being investigated over the death of British tourist Claire Barnes has been threatened with possible closure after the air safety regulator accused it of posing "a serious and imminent risk" to aviation safety.
Luke McWilliam, who runs Skydive City at Barwon Heads in Victoria, has until January 28 to respond to a "show cause" notice from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which contains dozens of alleged safety breaches.
The aviation watchdog says in the document that it is investigating whether Mr McWilliam, Skydive City and chief instructor Greg Bayly "have engaged in conduct that constitutes, contributes to or has resulted in a serious and imminent risk to aviation safety".
Mr McWilliam said he intended to answer the allegations, which he claimed were part of a campaign of harassment by "certain individuals" involved in a long-running legal dispute over land.
However, he failed to respond to a list of written questions submitted by The Weekend Australian on Wednesday.
The investigation could result in an order preventing Skydive City from conducting jumps within Australia and/or the reinstatement of a ban on jumps near the Barwon Heads airport.
The show-cause notice also raises issues about the death last March of 24-year-old Barnes, the daughter of British newsreader Carol Barnes and Foreign Office Minister Denis McShane.
An interim report by the Australian Parachute Federation found Barnes fell 4000m to her death after failing to pack her parachute properly.
CASA says in the document that it understands Barnes was issued with a "packer B" rating after a recommendation from a Skydive City employee.
"An important issue arising from the facts and circumstances referred to above is whether Skydive City took the necessary steps to ensure that Ms Barnes was adequately trained before she was issued with a packer B rating and whether sufficient assistance was provided to Ms Barnes to ensure that proper attention was given to her equipment assembly, maintenance and packing," it says.
The new show-cause notice is part of a long-running dispute involving Skydive City that led to a ban on skydiving in the immediate vicinity of Barwon Heads airport last year.
The Federal Court quashed the CASA ban last month when it ruled the skydiving operator had not been given a fair hearing. The court win came after Mr McWilliam was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered to donate $10,000 to a hospital after pleading guilty in Geelong Court to 21 safety breaches in July last year.
The court was told CASA investigators had seized videos showing skydivers jumping through cloud on 20 occasions.
CASA issues a show-cause notice when it has concerns that the operations of a company or person breaches its regulations. Most show-cause notices are issued over safety concerns.
A person or company receiving a show-cause notice must prove they are operating safely. Time frames to answer such notices vary according to the nature of the allegation.
The situation is complicated by the fact that skydiving is regulated by the parachute federation, but CASA has overall responsibility for aviation safety.
I think this article say's it all, where are all those skydive suporters.
Cheers Q
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Gday Rocket
Is the sand a private joke or can you let us in unless they have planted some unsuspecting punter but I haven't seen anything in the papers.
Come on you can trust me.
Cheers Q
Is the sand a private joke or can you let us in unless they have planted some unsuspecting punter but I haven't seen anything in the papers.
Come on you can trust me.
Cheers Q
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Well!!!
Once upon a time in Jumping land there existed a Sand pit (but lets not lie, it was a loam pit) the then well acting people would aim for and descend into it?
As the naughty darts progressed they began to land, slide and get down any old place THEY liked (herein lies the problems) this little piece of nirvana then just sat around looking a mess (these chappies seem to be good at it) looking out of place and would need to be cleaned up (and parking may be needed there,Planes that is)) Well!! as the cleanup started a few people were in the middle of this operation and out came "Dancing Boy" (I presume he was one as his arms went a waving and mouth muttered words like "This is my work area Stop,Stop you cannot do this, I lease this spot up to a few trees up north"???) That one confused me too, I did not know you could lease anything to trees.!!
Bewildered by dancing boy's response a few asked him to F***K Off as he had no lease, the boys in blue were requested (dancing boy gave the bobcat operator a wonderfull performance with his antics)and he too thought, I wish he would F***K off.
The "Boy" (as he will be named) continued his wonderful art form of twisting ,shouting and lovely dance steps to get into position in front of a working bobcat, the operator pointing out the presence of a lovely companion for the Boy a reasonable SNAKE a few feet away but alas the Boy kept it up (now I think this Snake is his friend as he just kept on Dancing away muttering) a bemussed group still tried to point out that Dancing Boy should (you know the word) off. But this Boy kept it up whilst looking south for a large gent whom he had forget to bring with him (his keeper I presume) but that soon happened a little later on (Are you glad you asked me the question Qnim?)
But alas NO the Gendarms arrived and dancing boy spat out volumes of beautifull cr*p to them and they were convinced (well that may be a little lie by me,but hey it fits well in dancing boy's image) So let's get the owners response "He has no lease at all here" well that sure sent the Gedarms a rocking, they muttered something like "Carry on and do what you like" but dancing boy had to WIN this one (sure as hell needs some win) he made the cat operator a happy man as he said he would pay him to take the sand (sorry loam third grade) to his area and well the sigh of relief on everyones face was great news now we get the job done for free. But I bet in the Boys eyes he had thought he had stiffed us well and good, well he got the loam,weeds,(not the weeds he thought it may contain hey) and best of all a great mate the SNAKE which would make a good little companion for Dancing Boy.
Well that is the SAND story Qnim but still more is happening in this little saga as now he does not feel the pilot should obey the rules of dropping whilst aircraft are in the circuit/landing/taking off or worrying about chutes drifting into live circuit zones, the Boy is a genius he has survived for a few years but hey that MUST end before a bigger story (that no one wants to see happen) comes to fruition.
Cheers and a good day from Rocket Rob. (The edit was to fix a few spelling errors,but alas the devoted followers of dancing boy will make comments, hell I will ignore you!!!!) Hell I saw this reproduced by Qnim and it still spelling mistakes but I just have to fix em.
Once upon a time in Jumping land there existed a Sand pit (but lets not lie, it was a loam pit) the then well acting people would aim for and descend into it?
As the naughty darts progressed they began to land, slide and get down any old place THEY liked (herein lies the problems) this little piece of nirvana then just sat around looking a mess (these chappies seem to be good at it) looking out of place and would need to be cleaned up (and parking may be needed there,Planes that is)) Well!! as the cleanup started a few people were in the middle of this operation and out came "Dancing Boy" (I presume he was one as his arms went a waving and mouth muttered words like "This is my work area Stop,Stop you cannot do this, I lease this spot up to a few trees up north"???) That one confused me too, I did not know you could lease anything to trees.!!
Bewildered by dancing boy's response a few asked him to F***K Off as he had no lease, the boys in blue were requested (dancing boy gave the bobcat operator a wonderfull performance with his antics)and he too thought, I wish he would F***K off.
The "Boy" (as he will be named) continued his wonderful art form of twisting ,shouting and lovely dance steps to get into position in front of a working bobcat, the operator pointing out the presence of a lovely companion for the Boy a reasonable SNAKE a few feet away but alas the Boy kept it up (now I think this Snake is his friend as he just kept on Dancing away muttering) a bemussed group still tried to point out that Dancing Boy should (you know the word) off. But this Boy kept it up whilst looking south for a large gent whom he had forget to bring with him (his keeper I presume) but that soon happened a little later on (Are you glad you asked me the question Qnim?)
But alas NO the Gendarms arrived and dancing boy spat out volumes of beautifull cr*p to them and they were convinced (well that may be a little lie by me,but hey it fits well in dancing boy's image) So let's get the owners response "He has no lease at all here" well that sure sent the Gedarms a rocking, they muttered something like "Carry on and do what you like" but dancing boy had to WIN this one (sure as hell needs some win) he made the cat operator a happy man as he said he would pay him to take the sand (sorry loam third grade) to his area and well the sigh of relief on everyones face was great news now we get the job done for free. But I bet in the Boys eyes he had thought he had stiffed us well and good, well he got the loam,weeds,(not the weeds he thought it may contain hey) and best of all a great mate the SNAKE which would make a good little companion for Dancing Boy.
Well that is the SAND story Qnim but still more is happening in this little saga as now he does not feel the pilot should obey the rules of dropping whilst aircraft are in the circuit/landing/taking off or worrying about chutes drifting into live circuit zones, the Boy is a genius he has survived for a few years but hey that MUST end before a bigger story (that no one wants to see happen) comes to fruition.
Cheers and a good day from Rocket Rob. (The edit was to fix a few spelling errors,but alas the devoted followers of dancing boy will make comments, hell I will ignore you!!!!) Hell I saw this reproduced by Qnim and it still spelling mistakes but I just have to fix em.
Last edited by Rocket Rob; 22nd Sep 2005 at 09:28.
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Gday Rocket.
I love Fairytales
Sounds like I missed a Logie Award winning performance bugga, seems like he hasn't learn't from his passed experiences or does he continue live in his little fantasy world, that really doesn't matter because the big chop is coming later this month, the large gent you mentioned rumour has it (excuse the pun) is bailing out.
He must have seen the light at the end of the tunnel (but that light is the headlight of the oncoming train).
They just keep us laughing, life's going be boring without them but a lot safer.
Why would Dancing Boy change and comply with regs now, maybe he has forgotten he is on a good behaviour bond and if charged with any parachuting offence he will be back facing all the earlier charges to which he pleaded guilty again.
The mind boggles.
Cheers Q
I love Fairytales
Sounds like I missed a Logie Award winning performance bugga, seems like he hasn't learn't from his passed experiences or does he continue live in his little fantasy world, that really doesn't matter because the big chop is coming later this month, the large gent you mentioned rumour has it (excuse the pun) is bailing out.
He must have seen the light at the end of the tunnel (but that light is the headlight of the oncoming train).
They just keep us laughing, life's going be boring without them but a lot safer.
Why would Dancing Boy change and comply with regs now, maybe he has forgotten he is on a good behaviour bond and if charged with any parachuting offence he will be back facing all the earlier charges to which he pleaded guilty again.
The mind boggles.
Cheers Q
Last edited by QNIM; 15th Jan 2005 at 23:40.
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MMM!!!!
The Melbourne station channel 7's promo for Monday night looks very interesting 1830 (this day tonight) seems to have some interesting developments about people who have done some tandems and not too happy about this groups effort being safe, will be worth a look I would suggest.
The Melbourne station channel 7's promo for Monday night looks very interesting 1830 (this day tonight) seems to have some interesting developments about people who have done some tandems and not too happy about this groups effort being safe, will be worth a look I would suggest.
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Well
That was not a good show for the "Sky Dive City" at all but must point out the other mob doing a jump for the reporter seemed to have a very loose (if not fastened) top strap as she did not look to secure in the harness on the jump at all.
Maybe a funny camera angle but I would be a bit worried!
Before you critics jump (mind the pun) run off at the mouth yes I have done several but on static line in the early days.
That was not a good show for the "Sky Dive City" at all but must point out the other mob doing a jump for the reporter seemed to have a very loose (if not fastened) top strap as she did not look to secure in the harness on the jump at all.
Maybe a funny camera angle but I would be a bit worried!
Before you critics jump (mind the pun) run off at the mouth yes I have done several but on static line in the early days.
I watched that report on TT. Was interesting to see the dopey skydive instructor say to the journo while she was getting into the van "don't worry this is the most dangerous part...the ride to the airport". Maybe he didn't read the stats that GA is as dangerous (as far as i can remember) as riding a motorbike. Something like 8 times more dangerous than the van ride to the airport.
And the "we don't jump through cloud comment"
And the "we don't jump through cloud comment"
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Gday Sprite
Dancing Boy put on a great show and so did that person from the APF who has witnessed Dancing Boy dropping through cloud some months ago, and doesn't return phone calls from concerned people around Barwon Heads regarding these dangerous operations.
I really hope that CASA do take a serious look at the APF and those who run it.
I also now wait for Graeme Johnson the state coroner to investigate the death earlier last year and hopefully he will except some input from others in the area.
Cheers Q
Dancing Boy put on a great show and so did that person from the APF who has witnessed Dancing Boy dropping through cloud some months ago, and doesn't return phone calls from concerned people around Barwon Heads regarding these dangerous operations.
I really hope that CASA do take a serious look at the APF and those who run it.
I also now wait for Graeme Johnson the state coroner to investigate the death earlier last year and hopefully he will except some input from others in the area.
Cheers Q
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But QNIM/pol/whatever callsign you are using this week, you looked so good in that flightsuit!
He he.
Where was the leather jacket with the sheepskin collar?
Think the girl who died did so due to her own personal gear malfunctioning, which I think you will find will be hard to pin on an operator no matter how good od dodgy they are. However give it a try, you never know your luck in a big city.
All the very best
CA
He he.
Where was the leather jacket with the sheepskin collar?
Think the girl who died did so due to her own personal gear malfunctioning, which I think you will find will be hard to pin on an operator no matter how good od dodgy they are. However give it a try, you never know your luck in a big city.
All the very best
CA
Last edited by C.A.; 21st Jan 2005 at 00:49.
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Weekend
HI All
I was flying on the weekend and heard TCZ out of Barwon on parachute ops... What happened to the Jan 28 show cause to CASA. How did he get out of this one...
Ang
I was flying on the weekend and heard TCZ out of Barwon on parachute ops... What happened to the Jan 28 show cause to CASA. How did he get out of this one...
Ang
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Hi Ang737
There’s no noise from TCZ now probably what happens when one connects a 24v battery pack to a 12v system in a desperate attempt to start an unwilling motor.
Maybe the maintenance that happens in Weasel’s hangar of a night is catching up
.
Not saying the maintenance is illegal but one must wonder when TCZ disappears into the hangar of a night and is back on the tie-downs again next morning.
Can you throw some light on this Kyle?
pol
There’s no noise from TCZ now probably what happens when one connects a 24v battery pack to a 12v system in a desperate attempt to start an unwilling motor.
Maybe the maintenance that happens in Weasel’s hangar of a night is catching up
.Not saying the maintenance is illegal but one must wonder when TCZ disappears into the hangar of a night and is back on the tie-downs again next morning.
Can you throw some light on this Kyle?
pol
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"Maintenance"????
Isn't that the stuff you pay the wife? oh hell maybe that word should be changed as now I can see what the department means!!!! (The above does not mean that it is not done to the wife or aeroplane. OK )
24volts onto a 12volt system? hell what are they doing? sure sounds like something will spin over a bit easier but it could be a little difficult to explain to a poor old LAME asking what did you do out of the normal. (Usually the answer is oh nothing mate)
Anyhow it is interesting because the usual complaint about dropping is "Can you get it down a bit quicker mate as it costs money while you stay up" that little number causes quite a bit of trouble for number 1 (or others) cylinders"
The extra time with warming on the way down means this problem is helped but again hey! This may just be a rambling by me, but lots of operators have had this problem.
Hangered over night then out again in the morning, sure sounds a bit strange for an aircraft that stays out in the saltair enviroment over the years. Maybe all is ok but what the heck maybe that's why everyone wears a parachute on that kite.
Isn't that the stuff you pay the wife? oh hell maybe that word should be changed as now I can see what the department means!!!! (The above does not mean that it is not done to the wife or aeroplane. OK )
24volts onto a 12volt system? hell what are they doing? sure sounds like something will spin over a bit easier but it could be a little difficult to explain to a poor old LAME asking what did you do out of the normal. (Usually the answer is oh nothing mate)
Anyhow it is interesting because the usual complaint about dropping is "Can you get it down a bit quicker mate as it costs money while you stay up" that little number causes quite a bit of trouble for number 1 (or others) cylinders"
The extra time with warming on the way down means this problem is helped but again hey! This may just be a rambling by me, but lots of operators have had this problem.
Hangered over night then out again in the morning, sure sounds a bit strange for an aircraft that stays out in the saltair enviroment over the years. Maybe all is ok but what the heck maybe that's why everyone wears a parachute on that kite.
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a little birdie tells me that this week the dancing boy was dancing again in the Geelong magistrates court.
you see, he applied for another intervention order on yet another responsible pilot
I think this is the third or fourth application as payback for complaints.
Anyway, I understand the magistrates said he was sick and tired of his court being used to sort out the boys problems.
After adjourning and discussion between the defendant and the boys legal rep, the rep got the right story and recommended the application be withdrawn.
The boy in his usual spoilt boy tantrams has problems coming to terms that he is being defeated.
Result, had to withdraw from this one, before the magistrate threw it out with costs.
Another big result coming soon.
The boy will be dancing with his partner next time.
Keep up the info. Last chapter is approaching.
you see, he applied for another intervention order on yet another responsible pilot
I think this is the third or fourth application as payback for complaints.
Anyway, I understand the magistrates said he was sick and tired of his court being used to sort out the boys problems.
After adjourning and discussion between the defendant and the boys legal rep, the rep got the right story and recommended the application be withdrawn.
The boy in his usual spoilt boy tantrams has problems coming to terms that he is being defeated.
Result, had to withdraw from this one, before the magistrate threw it out with costs.
Another big result coming soon.
The boy will be dancing with his partner next time.
Keep up the info. Last chapter is approaching.