Mr John McCormick Not Seeking Further Term.....
I suspect that the real problem is the board and that the CASA board either a) don't know how to recognise a good CEO or b) a good one won't work with them.
If I were Warren Truss, I'd look at AMSA which causes no grief and generally seems pretty competent and compare it with CASA which is frequently in the press for stuff ups and is generally a major drama. I'd be looking to replicate the good bits of AMSA in CASA.
Consider the two boards:
CASA: 4 directors + CEO. Chairman: career public servant. Background in foreign affairs / public policy. Board members: ex Boeing CEO & 2 lawyers.
AMSA: 8 directors + CEO. Chairman: Business qualified with a career managing ports. Board members: 1 x shipping, 1 x fishing, 1 x lawyer, 1 x investment banking, 1 x Dept Transport policy public servant, 1 x retired sea captain, 1 x fisherman.
Overall, CASA is characterised by lawyers & public servants whereas AMSA is characterised by a diverse range of industry expertise.
Is it any surprise that CASA's main activity is rewriting regulations & prosecuting people?
If I were Warren Truss, I'd look at AMSA which causes no grief and generally seems pretty competent and compare it with CASA which is frequently in the press for stuff ups and is generally a major drama. I'd be looking to replicate the good bits of AMSA in CASA.
Consider the two boards:
CASA: 4 directors + CEO. Chairman: career public servant. Background in foreign affairs / public policy. Board members: ex Boeing CEO & 2 lawyers.
AMSA: 8 directors + CEO. Chairman: Business qualified with a career managing ports. Board members: 1 x shipping, 1 x fishing, 1 x lawyer, 1 x investment banking, 1 x Dept Transport policy public servant, 1 x retired sea captain, 1 x fisherman.
Overall, CASA is characterised by lawyers & public servants whereas AMSA is characterised by a diverse range of industry expertise.
Is it any surprise that CASA's main activity is rewriting regulations & prosecuting people?
Latest MMSM on DAS leaving..bucket required!!
Just when my view of the MMSM aviation reporting was on the up, after an extreme low point, we get this twaddle..
..on the angry man's future departure for the Ferryman's wharf..
:
No comment too busy vomiting...
ps Good point OA probably sent from his QF supplied ipad while sitting in the Chairman's lounge..
..on the angry man's future departure for the Ferryman's wharf..:
McCormick to quit as CASA chief, prompting search for new regulator
THE search is on for a new head of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority after incumbent John McCormick opted not to renew his contract.
Mr McCormick will stay as director of aviation safety until August 31 while the CASA board hunts for a replacement and to handle any fallout from the federal government’s review into aviation safety regulation due to be completed in May.
An outspoken advocate for CASA, Mr McCormick took over the reins at the air safety regulator after a long career with Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific.
He was a veteran pilot with more than 10,000 hours experience and a master’s degree in aviation management who began his career in the RAAF in 1974 and became a combat fighter instructor.
He joined Qantas a decade later as a second officer on the Boeing 747-200 and flew with the carrier for three years before joining Cathay in 1987 and rising to the position of general manager, operations, before returning to the air as a senior training captain.
He entered the CASA vowing a higher public profile during his five-year stint than his predecessor, noting that he would take the brickbats that came with what can be one of the industry’s most controversial jobs.
A sometimes testy relationship with some sectors of the industry included a spirited defence of CASA staff against ``mean-spirited, injudiciously self-serving and frequently false’’ attacks as well as disagreements over the pace and direction of regulatory reform.
CASA chairman Allan Hawke said today Mr McCormick’s leadership had been the critical factor behind the significant improvements to Australia’s aviation safety regulatory regime and CASA’s performance.
He said the CASA boss had largely achieved his aims of refocusing CASA on regulation of aviation safety, improving its governance, improving training and addressing emerging issues such as remotely piloted aircraft.
They also included a major part of the modernisation of aviation safety standards and reform of CASA’s surveillance and safety systems management oversight.
“These improvements have come at a time of increasing and more complex demands on CASA with major growth in Australia’s diversified aviation sectors and record numbers of domestic and international passengers flying in Australian skies,’’ Dr Hawke’s statement said.
“Australia’s outstanding international reputation for aviation safety owes much to John McCormick’s stewardship and the reforms and initiatives undertaken on his watch.’’
THE search is on for a new head of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority after incumbent John McCormick opted not to renew his contract.
Mr McCormick will stay as director of aviation safety until August 31 while the CASA board hunts for a replacement and to handle any fallout from the federal government’s review into aviation safety regulation due to be completed in May.
An outspoken advocate for CASA, Mr McCormick took over the reins at the air safety regulator after a long career with Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific.
He was a veteran pilot with more than 10,000 hours experience and a master’s degree in aviation management who began his career in the RAAF in 1974 and became a combat fighter instructor.
He joined Qantas a decade later as a second officer on the Boeing 747-200 and flew with the carrier for three years before joining Cathay in 1987 and rising to the position of general manager, operations, before returning to the air as a senior training captain.
He entered the CASA vowing a higher public profile during his five-year stint than his predecessor, noting that he would take the brickbats that came with what can be one of the industry’s most controversial jobs.
A sometimes testy relationship with some sectors of the industry included a spirited defence of CASA staff against ``mean-spirited, injudiciously self-serving and frequently false’’ attacks as well as disagreements over the pace and direction of regulatory reform.
CASA chairman Allan Hawke said today Mr McCormick’s leadership had been the critical factor behind the significant improvements to Australia’s aviation safety regulatory regime and CASA’s performance.
He said the CASA boss had largely achieved his aims of refocusing CASA on regulation of aviation safety, improving its governance, improving training and addressing emerging issues such as remotely piloted aircraft.
They also included a major part of the modernisation of aviation safety standards and reform of CASA’s surveillance and safety systems management oversight.
“These improvements have come at a time of increasing and more complex demands on CASA with major growth in Australia’s diversified aviation sectors and record numbers of domestic and international passengers flying in Australian skies,’’ Dr Hawke’s statement said.
“Australia’s outstanding international reputation for aviation safety owes much to John McCormick’s stewardship and the reforms and initiatives undertaken on his watch.’’
ps Good point OA probably sent from his QF supplied ipad while sitting in the Chairman's lounge..
Last edited by Sarcs; 15th Feb 2014 at 01:05.
W8: I have a precluding disability.
Sanity.
OA: You forgot to mention the most important distinguishing feature. (Let me do a Leaddie: Hint. What are the qualifications of the current CEO of AMSA?)
Sanity.
OA: You forgot to mention the most important distinguishing feature. (Let me do a Leaddie: Hint. What are the qualifications of the current CEO of AMSA?)
I'll do itif 11,500 hours in GA is any use?
Where do I apply?
Where do I apply?
fire the lot.
CASA needs a bigger Board with a chair and members with knowledge of the industry. If not history will be repeated. Mcmanic should have beeen told much earlier to shape up. Also the director should report to the board not the minister, so don't assume it will all be fixed when t the skull goes.
gutting...
I'll put the second bucket aside for a moment to comment on the title of Sarc's paste..." McComic to quit as CAsA chief ( actually just ceo
),prompting search for a new regulator" 
. Fantastic!!.. a new regulator!!
Search no further than NZed.!
That will give stricken GA in Oz a chance to grow and prosper.
The current tired old regulator ( big R ...GRrrrr) has just got so far up itself it can't see the daylight in empty skies for all.
As for Hawke's comments...Oh quick the bucket again.! So another 6 months at the trough, bro..
Considering all political machinations and bureaucratic buggery that is in play...IMO its a very, very scary time for GA in Oz.
Will the Rum Corps prevail? Will the convicts get Tickets of Leave and a chance to become Free men again? Place yr bets, crims !
This might be a so called "democracy", but by Christ we are burdened by bull****, bastadry and bureaucratic chains.
Something has to change.
Aarrgh...bucket, please.
),prompting search for a new regulator" . Fantastic!!.. a new regulator!!Search no further than NZed.!
That will give stricken GA in Oz a chance to grow and prosper.
The current tired old regulator ( big R ...GRrrrr) has just got so far up itself it can't see the daylight in empty skies for all.
As for Hawke's comments...Oh quick the bucket again.! So another 6 months at the trough, bro..
Considering all political machinations and bureaucratic buggery that is in play
...IMO its a very, very scary time for GA in Oz.Will the Rum Corps prevail? Will the convicts get Tickets of Leave and a chance to become Free men again?
Place yr bets, crims !This might be a so called "democracy", but by Christ we are burdened by bull****, bastadry and bureaucratic chains.
Something has to change.
Aarrgh...bucket, please.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Permanently lost
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You would need to change more than the DAS to get a meaningful reform in Australia and the political will for what it would take is not there.
You need either all segments in Australian aviation to form a common front, which is highly unlikely as they can barely agree on what day it is, or, the FAA or EASA to conduct an audit on Australian aviation and rate it as a fail. The fallout would be enormous. It nearly happened but Australia was let off the hook as they argued that the planned changes would address the concerns.
triadic, just seen your post. You never have a review unless you know what the outcome is going to be and I can't see this government being concerned about massively changing CASA when you can get away with fiddling at the edges. Hope I am wrong but I am not going to hold my breath waiting.
You need either all segments in Australian aviation to form a common front, which is highly unlikely as they can barely agree on what day it is, or, the FAA or EASA to conduct an audit on Australian aviation and rate it as a fail. The fallout would be enormous. It nearly happened but Australia was let off the hook as they argued that the planned changes would address the concerns.
triadic, just seen your post. You never have a review unless you know what the outcome is going to be and I can't see this government being concerned about massively changing CASA when you can get away with fiddling at the edges. Hope I am wrong but I am not going to hold my breath waiting.
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Abeam Alice Springs
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Silly me! I have some faith in the review and the people doing it.... of course it will be up to the Minister to pull the levers for any change, however reading those submissions that are in the public domain, it would appear that some of the recommendations may well call for CASA to be revamped. It is the only chance we have of solving the culture problem within.
I would certainly like to see Safety promotion and education go to the ATSB, or even outsourced, (with the budget to match). The big R status of the regulator has to go, along with how the regs are written.
I would certainly like to see Safety promotion and education go to the ATSB, or even outsourced, (with the budget to match). The big R status of the regulator has to go, along with how the regs are written.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: sydney
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"My bet is that CASA will not exist as it does now after the review".
Triadic,mate,
I have calluses on my knees from praying every night, pocket full of rabbit feet (bit pongy) bails of four leaf clovers, and dreams of aviation in Australia actually growing.
Sadly reality is the nightmare, and buggers up the betting odds.
Heard a story of one of the iron ring cartel in CAsA stating "if he had his way the only aircraft flying in OZ skies would be airlines and the RAAF".
Now these people are supposed to comply with government policy.
Is this exactly what they are doing? is it gov'mint policy? just the Trussed up minister do'snt have the balls to come out and say it? or is it CAsA policy because GA is a bit of an inconvenience and time waster, and these IOS people keep chucking embarrasing stuff at us. Therefore the iron ring snow a weak as piss minister who couldnt see CORRUPTION if it bit him on the a..s. and
"Safe Skies are Empty Skies" becomes Guv'mint policy.
Certainy appears thats what they want.
Triadic,mate,
I have calluses on my knees from praying every night, pocket full of rabbit feet (bit pongy) bails of four leaf clovers, and dreams of aviation in Australia actually growing.
Sadly reality is the nightmare, and buggers up the betting odds.
Heard a story of one of the iron ring cartel in CAsA stating "if he had his way the only aircraft flying in OZ skies would be airlines and the RAAF".
Now these people are supposed to comply with government policy.
Is this exactly what they are doing? is it gov'mint policy? just the Trussed up minister do'snt have the balls to come out and say it? or is it CAsA policy because GA is a bit of an inconvenience and time waster, and these IOS people keep chucking embarrasing stuff at us. Therefore the iron ring snow a weak as piss minister who couldnt see CORRUPTION if it bit him on the a..s. and
"Safe Skies are Empty Skies" becomes Guv'mint policy.
Certainy appears thats what they want.
He was a veteran pilot with more than 10,000 hours experience and a master’s degree in aviation management who began his career in the RAAF in 1974 and became a combat fighter instructor.
"Combat fighter instructor"? . .. . as in FA18 instructor? Someone on a par with the late Ross Fox? (That cannot be, as it is hard to imagine two temperaments more diametrically opposed. German Shepherd cf Pit Bull Terrier.)
Pardon thread drift . . . . .. but anyone wanting to know more about W/CDR Fox,
no better source is here -
"if he had his way the only aircraft flying in OZ skies would be airlines and the RAAF".
Very close, the actual quote ( I was there) was: "If I had my way, there would only be airlines and military".
That person is now on the third rung of the CASA organizational ( or should that be dis-organisational) chart.
You never have a review unless you know what the outcome is going to be
Even AOPAA has had to admit that a few teeney weeney changes might be desirable. The AAAA submission is a lot closer to the sentiments of many of the submissions, even if those are not generally expressed with the eloquence and feeling of AAAA.
I simply do not see how these submissions can be discounted, and I can't see the panel reporting in the Minister's time scale, if they are going to do justice to the submissions.
Tootle pip!!
The AAAA submission is a damning document. Among the specific grievances listed at the end of the 41 page document -
A Selection of Current CASA issues
The following examples provide an evidence trail of why industry is so disappointed in the current performance of CASA. Many more are available.
Agricultural Weights
CASA unilaterally decided in 2012 that the previous long standing
arrangements for the recognition of sensible working
weights for agricultural aircraft
as used in the US, Canada, New Zealand and other countries
would be abolished. The ability of agricultural and
firebombing aircraft to jettison their loads, thereby giving them a safety feature unavailable to other aircraft has been ignored. CASA is now strictly interpreting the certification basis of agricultural aircraft, ignoring the additional rules available in other countries.
This means for example, that Thrush aircraft are now limited to about 300 litres of load compared to the 2000 litres of load they safely carry in every other country in the world. The only way forward is for industry to pursue a
Supplemental Type Certificate for each aircraft type at a cost of approximately $50,000, for no safety benefit whatsoever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
why wouldn't the poor buggers at the receiving end be tearing their hair out?
A Selection of Current CASA issues
The following examples provide an evidence trail of why industry is so disappointed in the current performance of CASA. Many more are available.
Agricultural Weights
CASA unilaterally decided in 2012 that the previous long standing
arrangements for the recognition of sensible working
weights for agricultural aircraft
as used in the US, Canada, New Zealand and other countries
would be abolished. The ability of agricultural and
firebombing aircraft to jettison their loads, thereby giving them a safety feature unavailable to other aircraft has been ignored. CASA is now strictly interpreting the certification basis of agricultural aircraft, ignoring the additional rules available in other countries.
This means for example, that Thrush aircraft are now limited to about 300 litres of load compared to the 2000 litres of load they safely carry in every other country in the world. The only way forward is for industry to pursue a
Supplemental Type Certificate for each aircraft type at a cost of approximately $50,000, for no safety benefit whatsoever.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
why wouldn't the poor buggers at the receiving end be tearing their hair out?
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Australia
Age: 53
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and from the announcement of Mr McCormick becoming head of casa.
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...casa-head.html
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...casa-head.html
So, wind back to 2008 and the news of J.McK becoming CEO of CASA was mainly well received. Half man's link the the old thread lists him as an above average pilot, smart and a straight shooter. However, he already had the nickname screaming skull, which implies a degree of volatility and might be a Pinter to less than optimal leadership style.
Fast forward 5 years and there are few that would regard his tenure as CASA CEO as having been successful. He has presided over some of CASA's most disgraceful episodes of behaviour ( eg John Quadrio), and major back downs of new initiatives, 406 ELT, Part 61 licensing, ADSB for VFR and others.
The question is, how much of it was his fault and how much of it just being in a unwinable situation. Lack of direction / willpower of the minister; overly powerful legal branch; dysfunctional organisation.
Was he part of the solution ( that didn't work) or part of the problem?
Will a new CEO without the ability to make fundamental structural change be able to do any better?
Fast forward 5 years and there are few that would regard his tenure as CASA CEO as having been successful. He has presided over some of CASA's most disgraceful episodes of behaviour ( eg John Quadrio), and major back downs of new initiatives, 406 ELT, Part 61 licensing, ADSB for VFR and others.
The question is, how much of it was his fault and how much of it just being in a unwinable situation. Lack of direction / willpower of the minister; overly powerful legal branch; dysfunctional organisation.
Was he part of the solution ( that didn't work) or part of the problem?
Will a new CEO without the ability to make fundamental structural change be able to do any better?
Join Date: May 2010
Location: More than 300km from SY, Australia
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
casa, McCormick and anger management
Maybe it just takes some time for the real person to "out", but the evidence is there in the case of the 49-ers of the "Friday afternoon FAX" and the position at the time as Chief Pilot Boeing.
The example is:
EXAMPLES and links anyone??
Ask Quadrio about his directed termination by the casa FOI, the 24th December notice to Barrier and the 5PM "note under the door" of AIRTEX and the dodgy statements of the Wilga.
The example is:
Some of the 49ers were called in the middle of the night and read a termination notice. Others were away and their surprised spouses received the termination letter by fax. One tried to enter the building only to find his employee card did not work. I found out with a DHL package in my mailbox and have not heard from the company since. However, they have advised the Hong Kong Tax Department that we were all leaving town on short notice (untrue of course) and we were all therefore presented with a bill for 1 1/2 years worth of income tax due in less than a week. I have yet to receive a dime from the company.
Ask Quadrio about his directed termination by the casa FOI, the 24th December notice to Barrier and the 5PM "note under the door" of AIRTEX and the dodgy statements of the Wilga.
Last edited by Up-into-the-air; 16th Feb 2014 at 22:05. Reason: spelling - Again!!
Heads you lose, tails you lose
Just wiping the sweat from my brow and vomit from my lips when I clicked on 1/2 biccy's historical...New CAsA Head.
Methinks there was a proctological readjustment along the way...we ended up with the wrong half.
Methinks there was a proctological readjustment along the way...we ended up with the wrong half.
Join Date: May 2013
Location: have I forgotten or am I lost?
Age: 71
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
clare prop 11,500 hours doesn't mean a thing.
this is a safety environment!!!
how many prangs have you had?
no prangs = you wouldn't know what you are talking about
this is a safety environment!!!
how many prangs have you had?
no prangs = you wouldn't know what you are talking about