Ramp Check Advice From CASA.
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Ramp Check Advice From CASA.
It was just brought to my attention that CASA has published a guide to undergoing a ramp check. At last! I thought. A definitive guide to exactly what I must do to survive a ramp check! CASA has actually listened to the pleadings of GA pilots who want to know exactly how to comply with the regulations....
http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_asset...-checks-ga.pdf
So I started reading:
1. Licence and medical certificate, check. ...But where does it say I need photographic ID in the regulations? I usually do, but if for some reason I have just had my wallet stolen does this mean I can't fly?
It also doesn't say that if I need glasses then I must also carry a spare pair, that requirement has tripped up a number of people.
2. A navigation/fuel log?? I generarrly pencil my position and time on my chart to prove I've ascertained my position every half hour as required by the regs, but a fuel log?? I do a fuel plan before I fly to ensure there is sufficient and then some, but a log? I guess I can, but what do they actually want?
Weather and notams, check, downloaded from naips either printed or electronic on my phone or iPad.
Time limitations? Me???
Appropriate current charts and documents? Here is that word again..... appropriate What is appropriate? Appropriate by whose standards? I'm flying a bay scenic, the VTC covers the area, do you want me to carry charts for the maximum possible range I can fly with my current or former fuel load in case I get a rush of blood to the ehad and take off in another direction? What documents? I have ERSA and sometimes the visual flight guide, , you want more? For what? When am I going to read them without an autopilot?
Are you using an EFB? Too bloody right! Ozrunways! But what are these "considerations" of which you speak??? Is this just another "gotcha"?
Have I submitted a flight plan (if required by AIP) Me? Probably. Are you going to check if I've complied with it?
3. Ahh the aircraft....
Maintenance release signed off and kosher, check.
Flight manual up to date. How the *&^% would I know? It comes with the aircraft.
Checklists up to date and accessible? They are in the manual, again, how would I know if they have changed?
Evidence of weights, check. I do weight and balance and write it down when I'm touring. That usually means full fuel, the missus and half a dozen bags. I do that always at the start of the trip. She can't lie about her weight either..
Cargo weights and appropriate securing equipment... There is that word again.... appropriate! Appropriate by whose standards? I use the best Bunnings ratchet strap tie downs or Spectra rope that is stronger than steel... Is this appropriate? Yes I know its not certified, so does that mean I get busted for using non certified parts as well as not using the "appropriate" Cessna cargo net?
Load sheet, check.
Required emergency equipment? What equipment? I'm not flying over water and I have a personal beacon.
So I guess I'm none the wiser...and what about all those stories of nitpicking and suchlike???
http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_asset...-checks-ga.pdf
So I started reading:
1. Licence and medical certificate, check. ...But where does it say I need photographic ID in the regulations? I usually do, but if for some reason I have just had my wallet stolen does this mean I can't fly?
It also doesn't say that if I need glasses then I must also carry a spare pair, that requirement has tripped up a number of people.
2. A navigation/fuel log?? I generarrly pencil my position and time on my chart to prove I've ascertained my position every half hour as required by the regs, but a fuel log?? I do a fuel plan before I fly to ensure there is sufficient and then some, but a log? I guess I can, but what do they actually want?
Weather and notams, check, downloaded from naips either printed or electronic on my phone or iPad.
Time limitations? Me???
Appropriate current charts and documents? Here is that word again..... appropriate What is appropriate? Appropriate by whose standards? I'm flying a bay scenic, the VTC covers the area, do you want me to carry charts for the maximum possible range I can fly with my current or former fuel load in case I get a rush of blood to the ehad and take off in another direction? What documents? I have ERSA and sometimes the visual flight guide, , you want more? For what? When am I going to read them without an autopilot?
Are you using an EFB? Too bloody right! Ozrunways! But what are these "considerations" of which you speak??? Is this just another "gotcha"?
Have I submitted a flight plan (if required by AIP) Me? Probably. Are you going to check if I've complied with it?
3. Ahh the aircraft....
Maintenance release signed off and kosher, check.
Flight manual up to date. How the *&^% would I know? It comes with the aircraft.
Checklists up to date and accessible? They are in the manual, again, how would I know if they have changed?
Evidence of weights, check. I do weight and balance and write it down when I'm touring. That usually means full fuel, the missus and half a dozen bags. I do that always at the start of the trip. She can't lie about her weight either..
Cargo weights and appropriate securing equipment... There is that word again.... appropriate! Appropriate by whose standards? I use the best Bunnings ratchet strap tie downs or Spectra rope that is stronger than steel... Is this appropriate? Yes I know its not certified, so does that mean I get busted for using non certified parts as well as not using the "appropriate" Cessna cargo net?
Load sheet, check.
Required emergency equipment? What equipment? I'm not flying over water and I have a personal beacon.
So I guess I'm none the wiser...and what about all those stories of nitpicking and suchlike???
Don't flagellate yourself Sunny - I been flying for 40 yrs and have never been ramped!
A couple of blokes waved to me as I was about to taxy out in a C402 once. I think they would have liked for me to stop and chat
, but the door was closed and the engines were running, so I just waved back - and kept on taxying! 
Dr
A couple of blokes waved to me as I was about to taxy out in a C402 once. I think they would have liked for me to stop and chat
, but the door was closed and the engines were running, so I just waved back - and kept on taxying! Dr
Flight manual up to date. How the *&^% would I know? It comes with the aircraft.
We inherited a Chieftain from another operator when the closed up - it included a PA31 MEL for a different aircraft registration (and a quick check showed that registration belonged to a C310 with the same operator) and a PA31 "FCOM" which included advice to remove tail stands and references to CAWI.
There was certainly no Aircraft flight manual/POH
They were very upset (as I recall) that CASA had shut them down and cried long and hard about how unfair and unreasonable it was
AAAAAAAnyway.... Piper, Cessna and Beech all publish document checklists on their sites - your LAME will be able to check if you can't.
Cheers
Sprucegoose
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30 years, 3 ramp checks, all non events really!
As for the fuel log: Fuel at start up - fuel burnt = fuel remaining onboard.
As for the fuel log: Fuel at start up - fuel burnt = fuel remaining onboard.
1. Licence and medical certificate, check. ...But where does it say I need photographic ID in the regulations?
but a fuel log??
Weather and notams, check, downloaded from naips either printed or electronic on my phone or iPad
Appropriate current charts and documents?
Are you using an EFB? Too bloody right! Ozrunways! But what are these "considerations" of which you speak???
Flight manual up to date. How the *&^% would I know? It comes with the aircraft.
Evidence of weights, check. I do weight and balance ....
So I guess I'm none the wiser...
The one I received is for Sports Pilots and recommends:
"It is also suggested that you carry a copy of your log book page with last flight review".
You either need to carry this or you don't. On what basis are suggestions? Who writes this ****e?
A lot of that could be looked at being subjective, also depends on who's doing the ramp check I imagine 'cause as we all know CASA don't even know themselves half the time what's req'd or needed for almost anything under their control.
I've been ramped about 6 times over my career, from basic paperwork stuff to a bloody thorough insp of the machine I was about to board, that A/C was grounded due a suspect cabin door lock on the old PA31, if you pulled hard enuf on the handle anyone can open any old Chieftan door handle!
Got looked over in Vanuatu once as well, looking for Kava juice I think
Another was by the 'scaleies' up at BH in the 80's whilst en-route to the BDV races, (ah the good 'ole days) my plane C182 was the only one that got airborne after that as I only had 3 bums on-board (2 x girls....what a trip!) the rest of my flying party had to dump bags, booze, esky's etc etc etc & swear to the all mighty never to do that again:-)
Last one at Shepparton a few years ago in the old Beech, looking for drugs I think which we had plenty of Want a shot there officer? What's yr poison there buddy
Wmk2
I've been ramped about 6 times over my career, from basic paperwork stuff to a bloody thorough insp of the machine I was about to board, that A/C was grounded due a suspect cabin door lock on the old PA31, if you pulled hard enuf on the handle anyone can open any old Chieftan door handle!
Got looked over in Vanuatu once as well, looking for Kava juice I think
Another was by the 'scaleies' up at BH in the 80's whilst en-route to the BDV races, (ah the good 'ole days) my plane C182 was the only one that got airborne after that as I only had 3 bums on-board (2 x girls....what a trip!
) the rest of my flying party had to dump bags, booze, esky's etc etc etc & swear to the all mighty never to do that again:-)Last one at Shepparton a few years ago in the old Beech, looking for drugs I think which we had plenty of
Want a shot there officer? What's yr poison there buddyWmk2
Re "
"It is also suggested that you carry a copy of your log book page with last flight review".
"Nah!!"
Oi think O'ill just carry the original....and let it burn with me....
Strict Liability = 50 K penalty units....to be 'collected' from my estate..??
"It is also suggested that you carry a copy of your log book page with last flight review".
"Nah!!"
Oi think O'ill just carry the original....and let it burn with me....
Strict Liability = 50 K penalty units....to be 'collected' from my estate..??
2. A navigation/fuel log??
CAR 220
(2) An operator shall maintain a record of the fuel remaining in the tanks at the end of each scheduled flight and shall review continuously the adequacy of the instructions in respect of the fuel to be carried in the light of that record, and shall make any such record available to CASA, upon request.
Penalty: 25 penalty units.
(2) An operator shall maintain a record of the fuel remaining in the tanks at the end of each scheduled flight and shall review continuously the adequacy of the instructions in respect of the fuel to be carried in the light of that record, and shall make any such record available to CASA, upon request.
Penalty: 25 penalty units.
For my own twisted idea of self-preservation, I was always more interested in the amount of fuel on board at the START of a flight.
What does "scheduled flight" in this context mean?
Flight manual up to date. How the *&^% would I know? It comes with the aircraft.
Checklists up to date and accessible? They are in the manual, again, how would I know if they have changed?
Checklists up to date and accessible? They are in the manual, again, how would I know if they have changed?
Becomes an interesting legal issue, doesn't it, where the PIC is responsible, before commencement of each flight, and must ensure that the AFM ( by whatever name) including the AFM checklist is on board, if there is an AFM for the aircraft.
This is not "just" a CASA requirement, it is a requirement of the certification of the aircraft.
As having the AFM on board is part of the certification (usually by manufacturer's part number on the TCDS), not having it on board violates the original certification, and hence invalidating the Australian type acceptance certificate, thereby voiding the Australia CASA issued C.of A.
What a nice daisy chain.
It is most certainly not any LAME's responsibility, any more than the a LAME is responsible for the airworthiness of the aircraft -- that is the responsibility of the registered operator, who is also responsible for all required maintenance being carried out -- not the LAME who certifies return to service.
Bottom line, you can go to jail for flying an aircraft that does not have a valid C.of A. Even worse is what the insurance company (if any) or other aggrieved parties will do to you in the event of an expensive "incident".
Tootle pip!!
TCDS = Type Certification Data Sheet.`
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the maintenance release may work in a commercial environment with multiple pilots using the aircraft.
but in a privately owned aircraft flown only by the owner....
I discontinued the use of maintenance releases after the lame faked the annuals that led to them being issued.
what use is a maintenance release after an "administrative annual"????
the reality is that the regulations have only ever seemed to work in Australia because they were never enforced.
I looked at the implications of doing a circuit.
pull out of the hangar and check the aircraft over, close the hangar doors and startup.
penalty for starting too close to a building.
penalty for not using a maintenance release.
taxy out to the grass runway and takeoff on the runway the aircraft has been flown from for 25 years.
penalty for violating the manual's requirement to use a runway one hundred feet longer.
complete the circuit and land on the grass runway.
penalty again for using a runway shorter than that specified in the manual.
there were about 6 other penalties I identified but I won't detail those.
CASA your safety regime is a crock of pony poo.
if your belligerence makes me into a criminal, beware, I'll be a really talented one.
I'm fed up with fckwit LAME's and their bull****.
I'm fed up with your bull****.
if you don't learn and don't stop all the criminal bollocks its your necks.
but in a privately owned aircraft flown only by the owner....
I discontinued the use of maintenance releases after the lame faked the annuals that led to them being issued.
what use is a maintenance release after an "administrative annual"????
the reality is that the regulations have only ever seemed to work in Australia because they were never enforced.
I looked at the implications of doing a circuit.
pull out of the hangar and check the aircraft over, close the hangar doors and startup.
penalty for starting too close to a building.
penalty for not using a maintenance release.
taxy out to the grass runway and takeoff on the runway the aircraft has been flown from for 25 years.
penalty for violating the manual's requirement to use a runway one hundred feet longer.
complete the circuit and land on the grass runway.
penalty again for using a runway shorter than that specified in the manual.
there were about 6 other penalties I identified but I won't detail those.
CASA your safety regime is a crock of pony poo.
if your belligerence makes me into a criminal, beware, I'll be a really talented one.
I'm fed up with fckwit LAME's and their bull****.
I'm fed up with your bull****.
if you don't learn and don't stop all the criminal bollocks its your necks.
It is most certainly not any LAME's responsibility, any more than the a LAME is responsible for the airworthiness of the aircraft -- that is the responsibility of the registered operator, who is also responsible for all required maintenance being carried out -- not the LAME who certifies return to service.
When the registered operator pays a LAME to perform an inspection on an aircraft, and the LAME takes the money and certifies for the completion of the inspection, the LAME is under numerous contractual, common law and legislative duties in relation to the airworthiness of that aircraft.
I'd urge all LAMEs to be very careful in relying on what Leaddie suggested.
CAR 220
(2) An operator shall maintain a record of the fuel remaining in .....
(2) An operator shall maintain a record of the fuel remaining in .....
Referring to the CASA ramp check document that Sunfish directed us to - it states "navigation/fuel log" however in the later references to rules it mentions navigation logs and fuel requirements.
Appropriate current charts and documents? Here is that word again..... appropriate What is appropriate?
Print a copy of the regs as to what must be carried in the aircraft and keep that in the back of your licence folder.
Worked for me back in GA. I had one guy on Horn Island try to ramp me whilst unloading and supervising pax. Told him to look outside the aircraft and I'd deal with him when I'd finished those tasks. Then I got the required docs out, placed them on the seat and told him that all the documentation he required was on the seat.
He looked at that, then asked to look in my navbag. I declined his kind request. In the end all was fine, except for one Herc strap was missing a loading label...
Worked for me back in GA. I had one guy on Horn Island try to ramp me whilst unloading and supervising pax. Told him to look outside the aircraft and I'd deal with him when I'd finished those tasks. Then I got the required docs out, placed them on the seat and told him that all the documentation he required was on the seat.
He looked at that, then asked to look in my navbag. I declined his kind request. In the end all was fine, except for one Herc strap was missing a loading label...
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but a log? I guess I can, but what do they actually want?
Regular fuel checks are likely to be the first indication you get of abnormal consumption or a fuel leak. A fuel leak within the engine cowls probably won't be visible, unlike a hole in the wing! Most leaks are inside, coupling and fuel line failure etc.
On simple flights just pick the one quarter, one half and three quarter points or, if more convenient, waypoints, for a flight of one hour or less, just the half way point should do it. A Top of Descent check is quite a good idea too, confirmation that you have enough fuel to land or divert etc. Strong and unscheduled headwind and you may have to pick a closer diversion.
Logging fuel at start and landing gives you consumption and this may be useful to the engineers for engine performance monitoring.
I don't think Sunfish was arguing the actual act of fuel quantity checks and cross-checks, rather the apparent requirement to keep a fuel log, when in fact the referenced CAR 234 requires no such thing, only that you "took reasonable steps" to ensure you had enough on board.