RFDS Pilot Sacked
Which can be used for narcolespy.
I think it might be smarter for the RFDS to have a full investigation then comment. Could be a tad embarrassing for them if their rostering practices led the pilot to using stimulants to stay awake.
I think it might be smarter for the RFDS to have a full investigation then comment. Could be a tad embarrassing for them if their rostering practices led the pilot to using stimulants to stay awake.
Last edited by neville_nobody; 21st Nov 2012 at 00:59.
Nothing to do with being a nanny state and the employer responsible.
Obviously the pilot has some self destructive personal issues and needs help and rebabilitation.
I don't think the flight deck is the right place for him, but I do think he deserves help and support to get his life on track.
It will be dark days for him right now and what does a drug addict do when they are down and it all gets too hard? Take more drugs.
Not a good place to be in.
Obviously the pilot has some self destructive personal issues and needs help and rebabilitation.
I don't think the flight deck is the right place for him, but I do think he deserves help and support to get his life on track.
It will be dark days for him right now and what does a drug addict do when they are down and it all gets too hard? Take more drugs.
Not a good place to be in.
Nothing to do with being a nanny state and the employer responsible.
If this turns out to be a stuffup and/or a legal use of Meth or whatever they will never send that to the media.
Given the nature of the RFDS I doubt this is some druggo pilot.
It would be some bloke who is struggling doing night shift and probably was given something to keep him awake either legally or not.
The Mt Gambier accident pilot had similar problems and also struggled with nights and it resulted in a fatal accident.
So lets wait for the full investigation and see what happens.
Maybe the RFDS should consider 2 crew ops for late night if guys can't stay awake....
Moderator
The story is on the front page of today's Courier Mail news paper.
Drug-addled pilot passed out at controls | The Courier-Mail
I suspect the operator had no options and acted in an entirely appropriate and responsible manner.
Drug-addled pilot passed out at controls | The Courier-Mail
I suspect the operator had no options and acted in an entirely appropriate and responsible manner.
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Whilst there may be some truth to the article don't believe everything you read in the press. What they don't know they make up. A desperately low calling is journalism.
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Indeed, in my opinion, as low as you can go. Better chance of a used car salesman telling you something closer to the truth.
There are exceptions, but very very few.
There are exceptions, but very very few.
Last edited by Jabawocky; 21st Nov 2012 at 10:54. Reason: more apple spelling corrections!
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The Mt Gambier accident pilot had similar problems and also struggled with nights and it resulted in a fatal accident.
Maybe the RFDS should consider 2 crew ops for late night if guys can't stay awake....
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Me thinks there's a little more than meets the eye with this?
God forbid an investigative reporter takes it on. Nah, **** it, too hard, let's see what **** we can make up.
God forbid an investigative reporter takes it on. Nah, **** it, too hard, let's see what **** we can make up.
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RFDS Pilot Sacked
I've been there late nights long sectors short frequent sectors no aid black holes the whole nine yards.
Anyway CASA and their FRMS that really doesn't fit it doesn't work for most pilots ask the long haul pilots in Emirates and who set up their FRMS.
The long nights two or three in a row are dangerous, the operators and CASA KNOW THIS!
But dollar cost are paramount .
ANYWAY if you are briefed about the company FRMS the policy and the due process you take the drug you face the consequences.
Testing for anyone is just a matter of time be prepared!
I agree that there should be a need for some rehabilitation but who is the mentor here the RFDS or the pilots family?
Anyway CASA and their FRMS that really doesn't fit it doesn't work for most pilots ask the long haul pilots in Emirates and who set up their FRMS.
The long nights two or three in a row are dangerous, the operators and CASA KNOW THIS!
But dollar cost are paramount .
ANYWAY if you are briefed about the company FRMS the policy and the due process you take the drug you face the consequences.
Testing for anyone is just a matter of time be prepared!
I agree that there should be a need for some rehabilitation but who is the mentor here the RFDS or the pilots family?
I'm sure that the RFDS SMS covers his "tiredness"...If he failed to use the system and call in that he was unable to fly the RFDS would listen.
Anyway drugs aside it is a disgrace that this guy got fired before they even had an investigation. Stood down on full pay should what happens. Once the investigation is complete then you can fire him.
As I said before this could blow right up in RFDS's face if it ends up being a cockup one way or another.
If this was a politician or some high profile person in society they would be saying that we need to wait for a full investigation before we can do anything but in aviation you just get the boot.....awesome system.
Either way it doesn't sound good if the newspapers are anything to go by....
A ROYAL Flying Doctor Service pilot allegedly passed out at the controls of a plane for 13 minutes while transporting patients, later testing positive to methamphetamine.
A nurse had to wake him as the plane flew to Brisbane during the airport's peak hour.
The pilot was sacked yesterday over the incident on an RFDS King Air B200 on November 5.
He was the only pilot on board the plane, which was also carrying two patients.
The Courier-Mail understands Air Traffic Control became concerned after the King Air left its assigned altitude without clearance about 42 minutes into a flight from Bundaberg.
RFDS Queensland CEO Nino Di Marco said the plane lost contact with Air Traffic Control for 13 minutes.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 4pm and 4.13pm.
"The plane subsequently regained contact," Mr Di Marco said.
"The aircraft then landed and all on board landed safety."
Under the RFDS drugs and alcohol policy, the pilot was tested after the mid-air incident and allegedly found positive to methamphetamine.
Mr Di Marco said the pilot, one of about 60 working for the RFDS in Queensland, was dismissed under the service's "zero tolerance" to flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"That's the whole issue here," he said.
"Patient welfare and employee safety to us are non-negotiable. We just can't compromise on those. That is our primary focus.
"The RFDS takes its impeccable safety record very seriously and last year safely transported more than 11,000 patients across Queensland."
The pilot is believed to be the first in the 84-year history of the RFDS to be dismissed for flying under the influence of illicit drugs.
Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had notified the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau about the incident. The matter had also been referred to the police.
"A number of investigations are under way. Until those investigations are complete, I can't comment further," he said.
CASA conducts random drug and alcohol testing on pilots across Australia and RFDS pilots are tested under that program.
Queensland's Chief Nursing Officer Frances Hughes said she was relieved the nurse, patients and pilot had landed safely.
"My concern now is to ensure the wellbeing of our nurse and the ongoing treatment of the patients who were on board," Dr Hughes said.
Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had been working with Queensland Health to support the nurse, believed to have taken leave after the incident.
"The patients have been contacted and support offered," he said.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said any airborne incident, from turbulence to something more serious, could be stressful.
A nurse had to wake him as the plane flew to Brisbane during the airport's peak hour.
The pilot was sacked yesterday over the incident on an RFDS King Air B200 on November 5.
He was the only pilot on board the plane, which was also carrying two patients.
The Courier-Mail understands Air Traffic Control became concerned after the King Air left its assigned altitude without clearance about 42 minutes into a flight from Bundaberg.
RFDS Queensland CEO Nino Di Marco said the plane lost contact with Air Traffic Control for 13 minutes.
The incident is believed to have occurred between 4pm and 4.13pm.
"The plane subsequently regained contact," Mr Di Marco said.
"The aircraft then landed and all on board landed safety."
Under the RFDS drugs and alcohol policy, the pilot was tested after the mid-air incident and allegedly found positive to methamphetamine.
Mr Di Marco said the pilot, one of about 60 working for the RFDS in Queensland, was dismissed under the service's "zero tolerance" to flying under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"That's the whole issue here," he said.
"Patient welfare and employee safety to us are non-negotiable. We just can't compromise on those. That is our primary focus.
"The RFDS takes its impeccable safety record very seriously and last year safely transported more than 11,000 patients across Queensland."
The pilot is believed to be the first in the 84-year history of the RFDS to be dismissed for flying under the influence of illicit drugs.
Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had notified the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau about the incident. The matter had also been referred to the police.
"A number of investigations are under way. Until those investigations are complete, I can't comment further," he said.
CASA conducts random drug and alcohol testing on pilots across Australia and RFDS pilots are tested under that program.
Queensland's Chief Nursing Officer Frances Hughes said she was relieved the nurse, patients and pilot had landed safely.
"My concern now is to ensure the wellbeing of our nurse and the ongoing treatment of the patients who were on board," Dr Hughes said.
Mr Di Marco said the RFDS had been working with Queensland Health to support the nurse, believed to have taken leave after the incident.
"The patients have been contacted and support offered," he said.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said any airborne incident, from turbulence to something more serious, could be stressful.
Last edited by neville_nobody; 21st Nov 2012 at 21:54.
Not saying Wikpedia is the fountain of all Medical Knowledge but here's what they say..
Would Dextroamphetamine also give you a positive test for Meth? It still a type of amphetamine. Not sure how all the testing works.
Methamphetamine has found use as both a medicinal and recreational drug.
Medical use
Methamphetamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in treating ADHD and exogenous obesity (obesity originating from factors outside of the patient's control) in both adults and children.[9]
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug in the United States and is sold under the trademark name Desoxyn.[9]
Desoxyn may be prescribed off-label for the treatment of narcolepsy and treatment-resistant depression.[10]
Recreational use
Methamphetamine is used as a recreational drug for its euphoric and stimulant properties.
Medical use
Methamphetamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in treating ADHD and exogenous obesity (obesity originating from factors outside of the patient's control) in both adults and children.[9]
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug in the United States and is sold under the trademark name Desoxyn.[9]
Desoxyn may be prescribed off-label for the treatment of narcolepsy and treatment-resistant depression.[10]
Recreational use
Methamphetamine is used as a recreational drug for its euphoric and stimulant properties.
Last edited by neville_nobody; 21st Nov 2012 at 22:16.
Would Dextroamphetamine also give you a positive test for Meth?
A bit off-topic, but interesting none-the-less! Back in the "old" days we used to give calamphetamine i/v to cows that were reluctant to get up after treatment for "milk fever". Worked a treat, but you had to be quick on your feet cause they got a bit excited!
Alas, it was taken off the market when it became popular as a recreational drug!
Dr
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... it is a disgrace that this guy got fired before they even had an investigation.
Plenty of time for an investigation.