Oh CASA, you.....
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Oh CASA, you.....
.....are frightfully inconsistent.
This morning I arrive at the ASL centre in Bankstown, head full of Loading System Echo, ready to sit CPL Performance.
It turns out I am unable to sit the exam. Not because I don't have any picture ID and not because I don't have my PPL. Nope. It's because I don't have my logbook. My logbook! The one that lives at the flying school, because it's a requirement, whilst in training, that the document remains at there. Now, it states clearly on the CASA website, as well as on the ASL site, that a logbook must be shown at the exams, which is why I've taken mine to the last four. Bar the first one, I've never been asked to show it. On the topic, the website states:
Please note: CASA has screened your request to ensure you are permitted to sit the requested subject.
Taking them at their word, I assumed whatever CASA were looking for in the logbook had been noted and recorded. Alas, no!
A call to CASA revealed one's logbook must be sighted for proof of a BAK pass. Apparently,way back in 1990, some rogues were audacious enough to attempt a CPL exam without having passed the BAK (surely a BAK would be a barefoot walk over the sand after any CPL subject?). To CASA holding a PPL is not proof undeniable of having passed a BAK - PPL tests are often sat at flight schools, not under the watchful and expensive eye of and ASL examiner. Quite why CASA are worried that someone may wander in off the streets and PAY to sit an exam is beyond me.
When I asked why I had not had to show my logbook in the past (barring the first exam) I was told that only for certain exams required the logbook to be shown. Which exams? They couldn't actually tell me. But, do I have the right to know? Yes, apparently I do. In fact am still waiting for someone from CASA to return my call. In the meantime, six of my class mates sat the same exam in Queensland this morning and not one of them was asked to show a logbook.
Why not be consistent, and ask for the logbook at all of the exams, or perhaps just the first one (assuming the fact that I have passed BAK has been recorded)?
The long and the short: if you're sitting a CPL exam, make sure you have your logbook, otherwise you stand to lose $108, half a day on the telephone to find out why, and another week of sleep, broken by performance anxiety.
This morning I arrive at the ASL centre in Bankstown, head full of Loading System Echo, ready to sit CPL Performance.
It turns out I am unable to sit the exam. Not because I don't have any picture ID and not because I don't have my PPL. Nope. It's because I don't have my logbook. My logbook! The one that lives at the flying school, because it's a requirement, whilst in training, that the document remains at there. Now, it states clearly on the CASA website, as well as on the ASL site, that a logbook must be shown at the exams, which is why I've taken mine to the last four. Bar the first one, I've never been asked to show it. On the topic, the website states:
Please note: CASA has screened your request to ensure you are permitted to sit the requested subject.
Taking them at their word, I assumed whatever CASA were looking for in the logbook had been noted and recorded. Alas, no!
A call to CASA revealed one's logbook must be sighted for proof of a BAK pass. Apparently,way back in 1990, some rogues were audacious enough to attempt a CPL exam without having passed the BAK (surely a BAK would be a barefoot walk over the sand after any CPL subject?). To CASA holding a PPL is not proof undeniable of having passed a BAK - PPL tests are often sat at flight schools, not under the watchful and expensive eye of and ASL examiner. Quite why CASA are worried that someone may wander in off the streets and PAY to sit an exam is beyond me.
When I asked why I had not had to show my logbook in the past (barring the first exam) I was told that only for certain exams required the logbook to be shown. Which exams? They couldn't actually tell me. But, do I have the right to know? Yes, apparently I do. In fact am still waiting for someone from CASA to return my call. In the meantime, six of my class mates sat the same exam in Queensland this morning and not one of them was asked to show a logbook.
Why not be consistent, and ask for the logbook at all of the exams, or perhaps just the first one (assuming the fact that I have passed BAK has been recorded)?
The long and the short: if you're sitting a CPL exam, make sure you have your logbook, otherwise you stand to lose $108, half a day on the telephone to find out why, and another week of sleep, broken by performance anxiety.
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They couldn't actually tell me.
They can't tell me at present if someone can learn to fly in an experimental aircraft. It requires a dozen emails and a legal department enquiry even though it's perfectly clear in the regulations!
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Hey Girl with a stick,
Your preaching to the converted here!
Of course they need to see your logbook! It's not as if they can actually check their computer to see which exams you have passed! lol!
The whole CASA organisation could go into a lion den in a zoo and even the damn lions would not be able to eat them as there is too much red tape to chew through!
And as for a $25 license re-print! Do not even get me started with these monkey's! Cost recovery my foot, let me print the damn PDF you fools!
Rant over! well now I have to go and fill in the form for my medical issue, hmm, where is my credit card?
lol
Your preaching to the converted here!
Of course they need to see your logbook! It's not as if they can actually check their computer to see which exams you have passed! lol!
The whole CASA organisation could go into a lion den in a zoo and even the damn lions would not be able to eat them as there is too much red tape to chew through!
And as for a $25 license re-print! Do not even get me started with these monkey's! Cost recovery my foot, let me print the damn PDF you fools!
Rant over! well now I have to go and fill in the form for my medical issue, hmm, where is my credit card?
lol
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even though it's perfectly clear in the regulations!
The inconsistencies and absurdities of the examination system are reaching untold heights. However, it reminds me of the old saying that to err is human but to really foul things up you need a computer. Then in walks ASL.
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Angle of attack, you really shouldnt complain about a $25 charge for a reprint fee when it is costing me £60 so over $120 just for the UK CAA to release my type rating to CASA.
Some of the other stupidly high charges
ATPL issue £231 about $500, CPL test fee £591 and again for you CIR.
$25 is nothing, one of the reasons Im coming back home,
Cya later, Campaign Against Aviation or is it Cash Always Accepted.
Some of the other stupidly high charges
ATPL issue £231 about $500, CPL test fee £591 and again for you CIR.
$25 is nothing, one of the reasons Im coming back home,
Cya later, Campaign Against Aviation or is it Cash Always Accepted.
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So glad that I am done with exams, unless of course they introduce the Master ATPL!
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and another week of sleep, broken by performance anxiety.
You should try booking something online with ASL, and they can't identify you as they do not have your ARN number. You phone up and give them your name and ARN....Bingo they can identify you
. Now why on earth they do not have an application written to link the manual acess to the CASA database (which they have access to) to automatically do what the girl on the phone did in 10 seconds or less is beyond me.
. When I suggested it could be done....I copped an earfull of garbage 
little did they know one of my employees could probably write the code in 30 minutes 
.You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it enjoy the view.
Then to make matters worse as I was now not at home near a PC or internet, they could not take a booking and payment over the phone...........
I am sure others have war stories, but it is really too hard!
Ok Guys. To prepare for your life ahead with "fort fumble" I suggest you buy a copy of the TV series "Yes, Minister". That will go a little way in showing you what you have ahead of you.
Thankfully, I've passed through all that and now in retirement
Thankfully, I've passed through all that and now in retirement
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unless of course they introduce the Master ATPL
HH, don't give them ideas. They are probably in process on working it now.
ATPL for < 40000kg
Master ATPL < 70000Kg
GURU ATPL for every thing including space shuttle.
The one that lives at the flying school, because it's a requirement, whilst in training, that the document remains at there.
My logbook is just that, MY LOGBOOK and as far as I was concerned when I was learning to fly, it came and went with me.
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I've never really understood the logbook mentality in the flying school. It simply implies that the school doesn't trust the students that pay it their hard-earned cash. (unless there is a regulatory requirement that I am unaware of)
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Dear Prooners,
Please forgive our inability to give due attention to your requests, but the staff are currently engaged in proof reading the 2011 calendar.
Yours Sincerely,
CASA
Please forgive our inability to give due attention to your requests, but the staff are currently engaged in proof reading the 2011 calendar.
Yours Sincerely,
CASA
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You knew the rule, didn't follow it, and are surprised to be caught out?
Would that be like doing 100km/h in a 60 zone, then complaining to the copper when your caught, that it's ridiculous because you were never caught in the past?
Don't blame CASA.
Would that be like doing 100km/h in a 60 zone, then complaining to the copper when your caught, that it's ridiculous because you were never caught in the past?
Don't blame CASA.
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Yeps, I knew the rule.
That's not debatable. My point is not to blame CASA for a rule which I think is absurd, or I would have hung up the headset years ago.
I wrote the thread to:
a) Alert others, in case, like me they become complacent in carrying their logbooks.
b) To have a bit of a whinge. I got stung for $108. It may well be my fault, but that doesn't take the sting away.
I'm sitting the exam tomorrow and I'll be wearing the sodding logbook around my neck.
Cheers,
GWAS
That's not debatable. My point is not to blame CASA for a rule which I think is absurd, or I would have hung up the headset years ago.
I wrote the thread to:
a) Alert others, in case, like me they become complacent in carrying their logbooks.
b) To have a bit of a whinge. I got stung for $108. It may well be my fault, but that doesn't take the sting away.
I'm sitting the exam tomorrow and I'll be wearing the sodding logbook around my neck.
Cheers,
GWAS
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Angle of attack, you really shouldnt complain about a $25 charge for a reprint fee when it is costing me £60 so over $120 just for the UK CAA to release my type rating to CASA.
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I believe there is a requirement for Flight Schools to have their student's log books on site (whilst they're undertaking a training course) for CASA audit reasons.
I'm surprised CASA hasn't implemented a form and fee to allow the lawful removal of your log book from the Flight School for the day of the test...
I'm surprised CASA hasn't implemented a form and fee to allow the lawful removal of your log book from the Flight School for the day of the test...