CAA-NZ New Director
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CAA-NZ New Director
Browsing the CAA-NZ site today, I noticed this... it appears to have been slipped in with little public fanfare, against the trend of other recent "world-leading safety-initiatives" trumpeted from the top-office of the Puzzle Palace by various incumbents.
Whilst of itself it appears to be of little consequence -just the tiger trying to change its stripes- I fear that it may prove to be yet another string in the bow of the orchestrated Campaign Against Aviation -particularly GA- which has been pursued with such relentless, intense political vigour of recent times. Just another blunt instrument with which to cudgel industry, wielded by the very organisation charged with fostering the safety, growth and sustainability of that industry. Which brings me to the point:
One could say our current Director has been strange silent since taking up his post. There has been nothing in the media of his pontifications, indeed no releases to the media from the Puzzle Palace going on 3 months now... well out of character for the role I would have thought! The previous temporary incumbent didn't even let the ink dry on his letter of acceptance before he put a massive shot across the bows of industry in the media.
It's apparent the new Director is a capable political player -that alone would have been a minimum qualification for the job, given Helen Clark's propensity for cronyism and only appointing individuals that publicly 'buy in' to her warped political ideals. Enough of itself to make my skin crawl. Political 'ability' alone however, will not a Director make. He will rise or fall on his relationship with and ability to manage/direct industry.
I wonder how the grass roots guys feel about our new Director? Have you seen any obvious changes in attitude from the Puzzle Palace or its representatives in the field that give any clue to how things may be shaping up? Do you reckon we are in a developmental stage of peaceful co-operation and prosperity... or are the secret battle-lines being drawn?
Whilst of itself it appears to be of little consequence -just the tiger trying to change its stripes- I fear that it may prove to be yet another string in the bow of the orchestrated Campaign Against Aviation -particularly GA- which has been pursued with such relentless, intense political vigour of recent times. Just another blunt instrument with which to cudgel industry, wielded by the very organisation charged with fostering the safety, growth and sustainability of that industry. Which brings me to the point:
One could say our current Director has been strange silent since taking up his post. There has been nothing in the media of his pontifications, indeed no releases to the media from the Puzzle Palace going on 3 months now... well out of character for the role I would have thought! The previous temporary incumbent didn't even let the ink dry on his letter of acceptance before he put a massive shot across the bows of industry in the media.
It's apparent the new Director is a capable political player -that alone would have been a minimum qualification for the job, given Helen Clark's propensity for cronyism and only appointing individuals that publicly 'buy in' to her warped political ideals. Enough of itself to make my skin crawl. Political 'ability' alone however, will not a Director make. He will rise or fall on his relationship with and ability to manage/direct industry.
I wonder how the grass roots guys feel about our new Director? Have you seen any obvious changes in attitude from the Puzzle Palace or its representatives in the field that give any clue to how things may be shaping up? Do you reckon we are in a developmental stage of peaceful co-operation and prosperity... or are the secret battle-lines being drawn?
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kiwiblue...
put an application in for the position myself.....missed by about 69 km,s....by your writings it seems to me that you yourself could haven been in the running ... but your "chicken attitude" may have prevented it ?????????stange that a person of your "talking abilities" would not put his/her/ name in the hat.....
put an application in for the position myself.....missed by about 69 km,s....by your writings it seems to me that you yourself could haven been in the running ... but your "chicken attitude" may have prevented it ?????????stange that a person of your "talking abilities" would not put his/her/ name in the hat.....
Do you reckon we are in a developmental stage of peaceful co-operation and prosperity... or are the secret battle-lines being drawn?
This guy has been at CAA right thru the various fiascos that CAA has faced in the past few years. Since he was part of the CAA management in those times therefore in my mind he is implicated in what happened . As far as I can see it will be more of the same, only difference being that any future fiascos will be better managed from a public view point, i.e. the media will be better handled.
I suspect he is politically cunning and perhaps coated with some of DuPonts fine product. I tend to agree with kiwiblues assessment of how he got the job.
Judging from his bio he wouldn't know what GA was even if he got blown over by prop wash.
Over that last while I have been told of various CAA detirminations that beggar belief. A couple of beauties. Ask why CAA now requires the pilots daily inspection to be signed off by an engineer on some Hughes 269 helicopters but on other models the pilot can do it as they have always done? The same machine but different requirements. Ask why some C 172's have to have the trim actuator replaced every 1000? hours while other models with exactly the same actuator don't have to meet this requirement?
New Zealand is the only country in the world where this is happening in these two instances.
There are plenty of other "anomalies" but those will do for starters. The Campaign Against Aviation is in full flight with no hint of commonsense prevailing.
Last edited by 27/09; 25th Oct 2007 at 06:32.
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Originally Posted by pakeha boy
"chicken attitude"
You'll never see me putting myself forward for public office. I loathe politicians of whatever stripe with a passion intense. Nope, I'm happiest with the doors closed and the props turning. My kinda environment. Quite happy to make the odd foray into keeping the bastards honest but 
Keep in mind: politicians, like a babies nappies, should be changed regularly -and for the same reason.
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kiwiblue..
mate...just a post to stir the pot...nothing personal....
it always amazes me that what when one is given a "position" ..the first thing we do is drag the bastard through the mud....good or bad ???? love to do it myself...keeps them honest??? dont know.....like you have varied opinions of the appointment.....dont have a lot of info on this bloke ,but he will have surley run the gauntlet?????....political appointments will always be up to srcutiny...thats why you and I are here?
mate...just a post to stir the pot...nothing personal....
it always amazes me that what when one is given a "position" ..the first thing we do is drag the bastard through the mud....good or bad ???? love to do it myself...keeps them honest??? dont know.....like you have varied opinions of the appointment.....dont have a lot of info on this bloke ,but he will have surley run the gauntlet?????....political appointments will always be up to srcutiny...thats why you and I are here?
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never thought it was PB 
Interesting to note in a thread in Reporting Points... topical I thought:
Wouldn't it be nice if CAA would adopt a philosophy such as this... still, I suppose the proof of that pudding will be in the eating. Are you West Islanders seeing any of this enlightened attitude in your dealings with CASA yet?
I feared as much. Yes, the Director's political proclivities are a pretty well-known fact. I wonder where he sees them taking him? And in what way does his tenure at CAA advance those ambitions?
ROFPML 'nuff said.
hmmm... best then we don't just be lying about ready to take it up the clacker. Dubious decisions/determinations need to be challenged -preferably by industry as a whole rather than individually. Wouldn't it be nice if AIA hadn't remodelled themselves a quasi-CAA... this was what they were originally set up to challenge, to modify CAA's excesses and provide a voice for industry within government. Have they forgotten their charter???
Interesting to note in a thread in Reporting Points... topical I thought:
Originally Posted by Bob Murphie
"New CASA Chief signals new course: New CASA chief executive Bruce Byron has signalled a change of focus for CASA to make its operations more relevant and consistent.
In a wide ranging address to a postgraduate seminar at Swinburne University on measures designed to help CASA regain the trust and respect of the aviation industry, he flagged measures including:
Possibly deferring introduction of new regulations to ensure they are optimum for industry.
Scrapping rules that do not reflect the real world or address identifiable safety issues.
Possible changes to monitoring private, experimental and warbird operations.
Improving consistency and fairness, particularly in enforcement.
Reducing emphasis on aviation in Australia being a special case.
A safety review to check whether CASA resources are objectively targeted against real rather than theoretical risks.
Byron said change was needed to build a better and more effective CASA. "I see fences and barriers between the regulator and the aviation industry (and for that matter between CASA and our stakeholders) as being things of the past. CASA has to maintain a suitably independent position in terms of its regulatory responsibilities. But we also need to operate co-operatively with our stakeholders, and with as much harmony and common purpose as is reasonably possible."
In a wide ranging address to a postgraduate seminar at Swinburne University on measures designed to help CASA regain the trust and respect of the aviation industry, he flagged measures including:
Possibly deferring introduction of new regulations to ensure they are optimum for industry.
Scrapping rules that do not reflect the real world or address identifiable safety issues.
Possible changes to monitoring private, experimental and warbird operations.
Improving consistency and fairness, particularly in enforcement.
Reducing emphasis on aviation in Australia being a special case.
A safety review to check whether CASA resources are objectively targeted against real rather than theoretical risks.
Byron said change was needed to build a better and more effective CASA. "I see fences and barriers between the regulator and the aviation industry (and for that matter between CASA and our stakeholders) as being things of the past. CASA has to maintain a suitably independent position in terms of its regulatory responsibilities. But we also need to operate co-operatively with our stakeholders, and with as much harmony and common purpose as is reasonably possible."
Originally Posted by 27/09
I think the latter is the case
Originally Posted by 27/09
Also judging from his bio he wouldn't know what GA was even if he got blown over by prop wash.
'nuff said.
Originally Posted by 27/09
The Campaign Against Aviation is in full flight with no hint of common sense prevailing.
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yeah mate...took me a while to read all the info ...
.....as you mention ,and very well might add,...the "writing seems to be on the wall" ......sort of makes you want to go to the ****e -house and scratch the ol,chin a -bit.....glad you bought the subject up .....I, like you, dont have time for most of these appointments....like to stand on a fence post a preach to the wind myself
......
.....as you mention ,and very well might add,...the "writing seems to be on the wall" ......sort of makes you want to go to the ****e -house and scratch the ol,chin a -bit.....glad you bought the subject up .....I, like you, dont have time for most of these appointments....like to stand on a fence post a preach to the wind myself
......
Kiwiblue, pakeha-boy,
You obviously don't understand Australian humour, like underarm bowling!
Bob Murphie's post is a little tongue in cheek, what you don't understand is that the policy of the Government/Minister/Director and CEO of CASA is unrelated to the policy of the management. The general rule of thumb is that the Act/Regulations /Orders/Policies only apply if the CASA employee agrees, otherwise the rules are whatever an Inspector wants them to mean.
Boy!, Does this make for some hefty revenue collection from "administrative fines".
On a day to day basis, it is a pleasure dealing with CAA NZ. One recent CASA example, seven (7) months after a license upgrade, the pilot still hasn't got his license back, so he can go look for a job. Issue of a Student License --- Three (3) months is common. Minor changes to an AOC can be anything from 1 month to never. And charges are cash up front. The stories are legion.
Tootle pip !!
You obviously don't understand Australian humour, like underarm bowling!
Bob Murphie's post is a little tongue in cheek, what you don't understand is that the policy of the Government/Minister/Director and CEO of CASA is unrelated to the policy of the management. The general rule of thumb is that the Act/Regulations /Orders/Policies only apply if the CASA employee agrees, otherwise the rules are whatever an Inspector wants them to mean.
Boy!, Does this make for some hefty revenue collection from "administrative fines".
On a day to day basis, it is a pleasure dealing with CAA NZ. One recent CASA example, seven (7) months after a license upgrade, the pilot still hasn't got his license back, so he can go look for a job. Issue of a Student License --- Three (3) months is common. Minor changes to an AOC can be anything from 1 month to never. And charges are cash up front. The stories are legion.
Tootle pip !!
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OK LeadSled, maybe there is a fair bit of tongue in cheek in there, but my question to you would be -why should we as an industry not expect to be able to take a statement like that at face-value, and expect (demand!) the regulator behaves in accordance with the stated intentions??? Do we as an industry deserve less respect from our regulator than any other industry you might care to name???
then:
hmmm... if that is truly the case, then all I can say is: more fool you. If you are regularly facing spurious, inconsistent applications of the law as promulgated in Acts/AIP et al, then to my way of thinking it is incumbent on you to challenge these issues (and if necessary the laws) through the courts. How else can you expect to achieve a just application of the law for yourself and other aviation system participants??? When I use the word "you" I refer not to the individual LeadSled, but to industry participants as a whole, particularly those that perceive these issues outlined to be fact. I'm not sure what aviation lobby groups exist in AUS, but I'm damn sure there will be something; they would be a good outfit to lead the charge against this form of impropriety surely.
If you won't do it for yourself, you can be damn sure the pollies/lawyers won't do it for you.
Originally Posted by Leadsled
the policy of the Government/Minister/Director and CEO of CASA is unrelated to the policy of the management.
Originally Posted by LeadSled
...otherwise the rules are whatever an Inspector wants them to mean.
If you won't do it for yourself, you can be damn sure the pollies/lawyers won't do it for you.
Kiwiblue,
In a perfect world, it would be as you say, the predicament in the real world is the huge power imbalance between the "regulator" and the "regulated", and the practical issues of fighting CASA through the courts ---- the time and cost is frightening.
You guys had a very successful modernisation of your rules years ago, we started before you, and apart from some progress that gave us a new Part 21 to 35 almost 10m years ago, little else has emerged.
Some time back now, as part of a a foreign aid program for PNG called Balus , Australia paid to put a tailored version of the "new" NZ rules in place, as the traditional Australian rules were decided to be inflexible and barely functioning.
Maybe NZ might like to come up with a foreign aid program to do the same for Australia, we could call it Operation GA Survival.
Tootle pip!!
In a perfect world, it would be as you say, the predicament in the real world is the huge power imbalance between the "regulator" and the "regulated", and the practical issues of fighting CASA through the courts ---- the time and cost is frightening.
You guys had a very successful modernisation of your rules years ago, we started before you, and apart from some progress that gave us a new Part 21 to 35 almost 10m years ago, little else has emerged.
Some time back now, as part of a a foreign aid program for PNG called Balus , Australia paid to put a tailored version of the "new" NZ rules in place, as the traditional Australian rules were decided to be inflexible and barely functioning.
Maybe NZ might like to come up with a foreign aid program to do the same for Australia, we could call it Operation GA Survival.
Tootle pip!!
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Originally Posted by LeadSled
the predicament in the real world is the huge power imbalance between the "regulator" and the "regulated", and the practical issues of fighting CASA through the courts ---- the time and cost is frightening.
Originally Posted by LeadSled
...a very successful modernisation of your rules
Originally Posted by LeadSled
Maybe NZ might like to come up with a foreign aid program to do the same for Australia, we could call it Operation GA Survival.
But hey, sure! Once we get our own nest in a fiscally sound and rewarding, sustainable, safe and vibrant condition, we'll be happy to share what we've learnt with you!
The AIA............
I think it was originally started by Ag operators and then morphed into an industry wide organisation when the rest of the industry saw the benefits. Unfortunately AIA has become the voice of the larger players who push their barrow claiming to CAA, the pollies, and the public that they represent the whole industry. As a result there have been changes introduced with the claim that this is what industry wanted when in fact it is the desire of a few. In some cases these few within the industry have seen "market benefits" coming to them at the expense of smaller operators from some CAA proposals and have given "industry" support to these proposals.
If I remember correctly the AG operators became so disenchanted with AIA the broke away and set up their own separate organisation AAA.
The CAA..........
Inwards looking, totally focussed on rules without looking at the practical application of the rules. Ask some of the smaller Part 135 operators about the requirements for a Chief Pilot and where they will be able to find someone to meet these requirement, and the type flight time requirements that have to be met even for something like a C 172. You would think these operators were trying to run a B747.
I think it was originally started by Ag operators and then morphed into an industry wide organisation when the rest of the industry saw the benefits. Unfortunately AIA has become the voice of the larger players who push their barrow claiming to CAA, the pollies, and the public that they represent the whole industry. As a result there have been changes introduced with the claim that this is what industry wanted when in fact it is the desire of a few. In some cases these few within the industry have seen "market benefits" coming to them at the expense of smaller operators from some CAA proposals and have given "industry" support to these proposals.
If I remember correctly the AG operators became so disenchanted with AIA the broke away and set up their own separate organisation AAA.
The CAA..........
Inwards looking, totally focussed on rules without looking at the practical application of the rules. Ask some of the smaller Part 135 operators about the requirements for a Chief Pilot and where they will be able to find someone to meet these requirement, and the type flight time requirements that have to be met even for something like a C 172. You would think these operators were trying to run a B747.
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Originally Posted by 27/09
Perhaps everyone is happy or are we that apathetic?
Have been chatting this though with a few people over the last few days, and have been very surprised with the extent and level of dissatisfaction expressed -from people not renowned for expressing opinions of that office!!!
Where there's smoke, there's fire I reckon.
have been very surprised with the extent and level of dissatisfaction expressed -from people not renowned for expressing opinions of that office!!!
It really surprises me that there hasn't been more comment on here. There were some who very critical of the previous Director (JJ) who have been very quiet about the new Director, whom, in my view is worse than JJ.
CAA seem more interested in having a paper trail to audit than they are in having the job being done properly.
