CASA Chief Executive

[Dick Smith]

Nothing appears to be happening in relation to a CASA Chief Executive. How long can it take?

I would imagine the Department is again pushing for an ex-RAAF / ex-airline pilot with no real GA business experience as the last three have been. This basically ensures no change at all - how sad for our industry.

Surely you would think there are people out there who have a vision of change and would be able to head CASA and introduce the changes to remove every unnecessary cost so our industry can boom again.

I suggested to the Minister that he have an independent selection panel for the CEO. I even gave the Minister some names of people in the industry (no, not including myself), however these suggestions have not been taken up.

As I see it, if we get a clone of the last three selected, we will know that we are doomed for another five years of stagnation and failure.

Moderators - please leave this as a separate thread.

[Creampuff]

Dick: you just don’t get it.

The person who gets the gig will just be a captive of the same regulatory Frankenstein that gobbled up his/her predecessors. That’s why the government wasn’t overwhelmed with 'acceptable' volunteers this time around.

At Senate Estimates last night, Mr MrDak said words to the effect that an announcement was expected in the next couple of weeks. (I will have to check the proof Hansard to confirm.)

I’m hoping against hope that the new DAS is Jonathan Aleck. He deserves the job.

[Sarcs]

Here you go Dick/Creamy it is not Hansard but it should suffice..

Estimates RRAT 20/10/14 - CASA Part 1 - YouTube

[Soteria]

Dick, you have entered the Matrix

I’m hoping against hope that the new DAS is Jonathan Aleck. He deserves the job.

Wow, deserving is a big pat on the back Creampuff. I am curious as to why or what Aleck has done to deserve said position? By your own admission Creamy the current regs are a Frankenstein. This 'Frankenstein' of foolish regs and legislation has been driven by the legal department. Yes Team LSD is the heart of the Frankenstein, and Mr Aleck has been the key driver for several decades. So how or why he is deserving of sitting in the Captains seat is beyond the realms of normality.
I would suggest a clean slate be the key to positive change, safety improvement and the saving of GA. That clean slate would include a comprehensive restructure with new blood brought in from abroad. However I believe that is most unlikely and Creamy may get his wish granted and Mr Aleck may be promoted. The fact that Truss is still snoring, MrDak was reappointed and Beaker received a further 2 year contract proves that nothing is or will change and we are in for a further 5 years of BOHICA come January 2015. The only positive is that Sleepy Terry will be shown the door after the new DAS has settled in to his new throne.

Dick, you mean well, and I like that, and you have my support. You also attempted some major change when you were CEO, however the GWM trumped you, with the backing of the government of the day. But sadly mate nothing has changed. Today we have an equally corrupt and covert government, the GWM still reign supreme at CASA, and the mere thought of transparency, honesty and accountability in Australian politics and their departments could earn you an execution by hanging!

The word tautology comes to mind friends. Sections of the IOS have been doing this dance now for 25 years and it's the longest waltz on record. Sadly it is not going to end with a one night stand or a quick shag in the back of the Commodore! We are wasting our energy, time and resources. However it does provide for a bit of entertainment along the way

[Strainer]

The gentleman from the FAA was evidently of the opinion that 'Things were in too much of a mess and would be very difficult to fix' and then promptly withdrew his name from the selection process.

This snippet came to me via a National party pollie.

[Frank Arouet]

Nothing is going to happen until after the canonization of Gough Whitlam.

[Lookleft]

We are wasting our energy, time and resources. However it does provide for a bit of entertainment along the way

For some people such thoughts are tantamount to treason and may earn you the label of being a shock horror! CASASEXUAL!!!

For myself I can but agree with your sentiment. A bit like going into the pokies with $10 in your pocket:

a bit of entertainment along the way

[Creampuff]

You don’t seem to get it, either, Sot.

If you had to pick the one person in CASA who has been at the most senior levels for more time than anyone else in the history of the organisation; the one person who has been paid, cumulatively, more than any other CASA staff member in the history of the organisation; the one person in CASA who has therefore had more cumulative opportunity and responsibility than anyone else in the history of the organisation to influence its structure and the regulatory reform program from within - who would that be?

And if that person couldn’t be pinned for responsibility for any problem within or created by the organisation, ever, what would you think?

To me, such a person is a mastermind and deserves genuine respect (and awe).

Such a person can create Frankensteins. Not by getting blood or gore on his own hands, mind you, but by influencing others when necessary; whispering in vulnerable ears when necessary; neglecting messes that will rebound on enemies when necessary; saving the day when favours need to be banked; feigning passionate commitment to the policies of the passing parade of patsies who think they are in charge; maintaining networks with the people in control.

But poetic justice would have the Frankenstein consume its creator.

[thorn bird]

Yup I agree with Leftie, I can assure everyone there is nothing, no question at all about his sexuality.

All you other buggers are completely wrong!!

CAsA is the most wonderful organization god ever put breath into.

Mr McComic, that paragon of virtue, probity and profanity, is next in line for canonization (sorry Frank I had the Pope pre-booked)

Impeccably honest and expert, these very hard working folk are focused on their task of protecting the poor orphan children of Australia, by keeping as many aircraft and those reckless pilots on the ground as is humanly possible.

They are doing a sterling job, just look how much they have been able to beat down aviation here, the Kiwis on the other hand haven't a clue. For goodness sake their industry is growing!!!!, God forbid!! its now almost equal to their biggest money earner.

They should immediately accept they have failed to stamp out aviation and adopt Australian world class industry destroying regulations before it's too late and they are invaded by aviation Junkies from Australia.

I commend Leftie for his unflinching support of the governments Aviation minimization policy.

These tireless CAsA workers, not satisfied with their aviation suppression duties, have been actively supporting your honest hard working property developers maximize the benefits they pay to McBank.

They must ensure as much money as possible is kept out of the hands of those greedy politicians here and is funneled out of Australia to support those poor orphans in the third world.

Its amazing how many McBank directors are third world orphans, poor little things, but thanks to Australia are no longer poor.


Creamie, calm down mate, we knew you had a tongue firmly planted in cheek, "Anastasi for POPE"...sorry DAS!!

[Sunfish]

DIck, with the greatest respect, I think the possibility of reform is now gone. My guess is that Mr. Farqueson will be confirmed as DAS and that announcement and the governments response to the review will be released on Melbourne Cup day or between Christmas and New Year.

The Governments delay in responding indicates that the bureaucrats have made a successful fighting retreat and that nothing will change. If there is a cabinet reshuffle you can then put off reform for at least another year until the new Minister gets his feet under the table, consults, reviews the review, calls for independent consultants advice, etc., etc., etc.

I'm afraid its game over. Creeping bureaucracy ensured I didn't spend $600 on a few hours flying today, but that is another story.

[Dick Smith]

Sunfish. You are possibly correct.

Australia does not deserve this.

It could be so different .

[Dangly Bits]

Sunny Noooooooo!

If Terry gets the job, Boyd will be his Deputy and I'll be moving to Monrovia!

We should all chip in to get Mike Smith back here and have a bloodless coup of the Executive of CASA.

He can stay at my place free of charge.

DB

[Kharon]

The Oh-durh of corruption.

CP –"I’m hoping against hope that the new DAS is Jonathan Aleck. He deserves the job."

Strainer - "The gentleman from the FAA was evidently of the opinion that 'Things were in too much of a mess and would be very difficult to fix' and then promptly withdrew his name from the selection process."

I rather think that CP is seeking to return the poison chalice to it's original and rightful owner; this is as it should be.

CP – "[Not] by getting blood or gore on his own hands, mind you, but by influencing others when necessary; whispering in vulnerable ears when necessary; neglecting messes that will rebound on enemies when necessary; saving the day when favours need to be banked; feigning passionate commitment to the policies of the passing parade of patsies who think they are in charge; maintaining networks with the people in control."

Just about puts the whole imbroglio in a nut shell; for my two bob's worth.

DB – "We should all chip in to get Mike Smith back here and have a bloodless coup of the Executive of CASA."

The solution : equally clear – an administrator for 'corporate', a Mike Smith (or look-alike) for everything not major 'airline' and a part time overseer of the 'heavies'. Mind you; for another two bob's worth, (IMO) Mike Smith could do the whole lot with a competent manager, standing on his head, bare arsed, in the rain with a 25 gusting 30 crosswind – without spilling his beer.

After the dismal, lacklustre performance of "team CASA" last evening – perhaps it's time for at least a performer who can deliver his lines without a prompt sheet and does not look like the devil incarnate; a couple with an intellect slightly above that of well trained toilet seat and; just to keep things – on track – a couple of minions who don't act, look and sound like they couldn't lay straight in bed (or pass their exams).

Steam? -almost.

[Sunfish]

Dick Smith:

It could be so different .

I spent a week in NZ at Easter. Every little town on the South Island seemed to have their own turbine helicopter and fixed wing operators doing scenic and hunting tours. When the sun came out at Milford sound the helos and cessnas were buzzing as thick as the sandflies.

It was most entertaining watching the return of a hunting party in a Hughes: Engine running and then out came the wife, the hunting dog, the rifles, the husband, the bags and a deer carcass, then off went the helo again! How many exemptions / permissions from CASA would that little operation require in Australia?

I spent about $1600 on Helicopter scenics at Milford Sound and Mount Cook, both of which involved landings in National parks which is also forbidden in Australia.

Then there is the fantastic photography from the "back country" operators doing stuff that is again automatically forbidden in Australia or would generate a "show cause" notice from CASA- landing on river beds, ridges, beaches, etc.

http://www.zenith.aero/photo/photo/l...=06jyf0xrazifc

Then there is the network of grass strips in Americas national parks.....

Think how much jobs, investment and growth such operations could contribute to the Australian economy.

[4 Holer]

They cannot find anyone stupid enough to take that role.


IT IS LIKE ASKING TO BECOME HEAD OF LONG BAY JAIL AND TELLING THE INMATES ( CASA staff being inmates ) WE ARE NOW GOING TO MAKE YOU ALL POLICEMEN.


Disband the lot and start again.

[Eddie Dean]

SUNFISH posted ...It was most entertaining watching the return of a hunting party in a Hughes: Engine running and then out came the wife, the hunting dog, the rifles, the husband, the bags and a deer carcass, then off went the helo again! How many exemptions / permissions from CASA would that little operation require in Australia?
Is that legal anywhere?

[Frank Arouet]

The NZ mindset is just different. In Aust. the regulator says how can we stop this happening and in NZ the regulator says how can we make this happen.
Not just the aviation sector either, how would it have been had we thought up bungee jumping, white water jet boats, unpasteurized milk/ cheese, feral deer meat sales to name a few.
We're strangled by over regulation. Only yesterday I heard a radio guy urging compulsory wearing of life jackets for rock fishermen and last night a TV 'rider' about banning the Haka. (it seems it intimidates our footy players)
Strewth!

[Sarcs]

Back to the future...is there a difference??

Hope you don't mind "K" borrowed this...

I never minded Mick Toller too much, sure he was hard headed and the title Ayatollah was used more in jest than in anger, he was at least fair minded and sane. I doubt he, like Byron would have allowed the current AF mess to develop. As he says in the Angel flight debate – it's a bollocks. The whole thing has been generated by a department desperately seeking a way to reassert their relevance to aviation by picking on yet another soft target. You have admire their determination to bully and subjugate the minority groups as an example to the larger, Tiger, CVD, Angel flight etc. Disgusting creatures.

There is a constant in all of the last three FF DAS/CEOs i.e. they all wanted to continue in the job, unfinished business & all that...

Example:

Mick Toller speaks on CASA's safety systems approach, his own future
Compere: ...But Qantas received warning about this last November from the manufacturer, from Boeing, that this part might indeed be susceptible to falling off. Are you satisfied that it acted diligently?

Mick Toller: I think it's too early to be able to say that. We are aware of the fact that Rolls has informed the operators of the aircraft that this is a problem. We understand, from Qantas, that they were aware of it. And obviously there will be an investigation. That investigation initially will be taken by the Transport Safety Bureau, which is quite correct.

Compere: All right. Now, through these last couple of months, of course, CASA's received a lot of criticism through it all. Former employees speaking out. The ALP basically calling for your head. We've had that damning internal report that was leaked. CASA seems to be under extreme pressure. Is the organisation suffering serious problems?

Mick Toller: Well, we're certainly under a big spotlight at the moment. You could almost say we're under a microscope, because people are looking at us minutely. No, I don't believe we are. I believe we were. And I think that we've got a bit of a time warp here. When we look at the report that came out this week on the Qantas 1 accident in Bangkok, that report is specifically saying that the problems that we knew existed, or that we recognised existed, are being addressed. Are being addressed correctly. And it strongly comes out in favour of our new systems. The new way we're doing things. And is a strong endorsement of that.

Compere: Well, that incident, obviously, September 1999. We've had the Ansett - the history there that was going back 18 months. The problems with their 767s, which you failed to detect. Changes you say have taken place in the last two years, just didn't manage to pick those problems up.

Mick Toller: Well, the changes that we are starting were after the Qantas 1 accident, so I don't think that we can even reflect on that. We'll be looking into the Ansett issues to see what we should have found out and when we should have found it out. But there was no doubt in anybody's mind, who has a real knowledge of what's going on, that the changes that CASA has made are the right changes. They're not complete yet, because these changes take time. There has been some resistance to it, and you see that resistance particularly in comments from ex-staff members like Mr Wood, who resisted it at the time. But there's always resistance to change. That change is a necessary change, and it's a good change. And the ATSB have made that point very strongly.

Compere: Okay. Through all of this, obviously you yourself have come under enormous pressure. Your contract's obviously up in July. Will you survive? Will you be reappointed?

Mick Toller: Well, that's a decision that the Cabinet will be making. The Board has recommended that I be reappointed. At the end of the day, I'm willing to serve the public to the best that I can. If I am reappointed. And if I'm not, I'm sure that somebody else will do their best to do this very difficult job.

Compere: You're obviously gunning for that position. You want to take it?

Mick Toller: I believe that the changes that we're in the middle of at the moment are important. I think that CASA had a difficult history, and it really needs stability at this stage. And stability at the top.

Compere: The last time CASA came under this sort of spotlight was when Dick Smith was at the Chair. And he, of course, resigned after all of the controversies he endured. Not something you're considering?

Mick Toller: I'm not considering resigning at this stage, no. I think that
there is always a time to go that's in the best interests of any organisation. I don't believe that, from my point of view, now is the right time for me to be leaving CASA. However, as I say, it's not my decision; it's the government's decision.

Compere: All right. Mick Toller, thanks for being with us this morning on Sunrise.

Mick Toller: A pleasure.

Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile [phone]

However in all three cases those aspirations did not come to fruition... But there is a difference between the 1st two resignations and the recent one. In the MT & BB case (perhaps highlighted by the "K" quote) there was debate in industry on the pros/cons of each gentleman's legacy.

Example for BB; pprune thread November 2008 - The Bruce Byron Legacy

However in JMac's case besides the tick of approval from some past/present members of the bored; probably M&M and his cronies; and most surprisingly the Iron Ring; there was overwhelming condemnation from the IOS (269 ASRR submissions & follow ups), some pro-aviation Senators and the 37 recommendations from the Forsyth Report that simply made his future aspirations totally untenable...

As mentioned by Soty, throughout the reign of these 3 DAS/CEOs and before, there has been a couple of constants i.e. the Doc, Tezza, PG & M&M. But for mine it is indeed the Doc who has been quietly maintaining the status quo of the Iron Ring's agenda.

In the case of MT's demise, once the IR decided he had to go (i.e. passed his use by date), the Doc quietly went about undermining MT in a classic example of character assassination through rumour, innuendo and leaked documents...

(from interview above) - "We've had that damning internal report that was leaked..."

The damn internal report was about a non-event that had happened some two years before when MT had been on a goodwill mission to the Torres Strait.

From Aunty (PM) May 2001:

CASA accused of going soft on boss

PRINT FRIENDLYEMAIL STORYPM Archive - Wednesday, 30 May , 2001 00:00:00

Reporter:

COMPERE: Well, Australia's Aviation regulator hit some more turbulence of its own today.

A Senate committee has heard that the head of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Mick Toller, avoided prosecution over a breach of aviation rules despite a recommendation from within his own organisation to call in the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Mr Toller stands accused of taking the controls of an aircraft he wasn't endorsed to fly, although the incident wasn't reported until a year after it occurred.

The Opposition today called on the Transport Minister, John Anderson, to explain why CASA went soft on the boss.

Shane McLeod in Canberra.

SHANE MCLEOD: Right from the Senate committee's first question the director of aviation safety, Mick Toller, was in the firing line.

UNIDENTIFIED: Mr Toller, what's happening with your reappointment?

MICK TOLLER: I don't know, Senator.

UNIDENTIFIED: I'm sure he meant 'good morning'.

MICK TOLLER: I'm sure.

UNIDENTIFIED: Good morning Senator, Mick Toller, director of aviation safety. Senator, I don't know. Can I take that one on notice?

SHANE MCLEOD: The CASA board next meets in June and it appears the question of Mr Toller's reappointment is still up in the air. Today's Senate committee hearings might provide more fodder for those opposed to him staying on. Mr Toller's record as a private pilot was the focus of Tasmanian Labor's Senator, Kerry O'Brien.

KERRY O'BRIEN: He did say the board took the matter very seriously and that in relation to the Horn Island matter there was bound to be a technical breach but it was determined that it was not a matter that should be referred outside CASA.

SHANE MCLEOD: Mr Toller is a former 747 pilot and is licensed to fly a number of light planes. He wasn't accredited to fly the Cessna Caravan 208 he took the controls of at Horn Island in the Torres Strait about two years ago. The incident wasn't reported until more than 12 months after it happened, and then to CASA's safety telephone hotline.

The authority's board, through chairman Paul Scully-Power, commissioned the acting assistant director of aviation safety compliance, Terry Farquharson, to investigate.

PAUL SCULLY POWER: In doing so I, as it was an incident that had occurred in the North Queensland area, I tasked Mr Ivory to conduct the investigation and requested from Mr Boys the assistance of a Part III investigator to ensure that evidence was collected and statements were taken in the appropriate manner.

SHANE MCLEOD: Peter Boys is the manager of investigation and enforcement with CASA. He was asked by Mr Farquharson for his views on the investigation report but disagreed on the findings, arguing that the matter should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

PETER BOYS: For the fact of scrutiny, consistency in accordance with the procedures that have been in place, the matter should be considered for referral to the DPP.

SHANE MCLEOD: And later...

TERRY FARQUHARSON: Is there any doubt in your mind that this matter should have gone to the DPP?

PETER BOYS: In my mind, no.

SHANE MCLEOD: Terry Farquharson disagreed with the advice of Mr Boys and referred it to CASA's Corporate Council for an opinion. He, in turn, sought external legal advice while other advice was also sought by the board. They agreed that there had been a technical breach but that prosecution was not warranted as Mr Farquharson told the committee.

TERRY FARQUHARSON: The matter, according to those individuals, failed to meet the tests of the DPP requirements of the Commonwealth Prosecution tests and should have been dealt with internally.

SHANE MCLEOD: Terry Farquharson admitted that his being commissioned by direct letter from the board was not the usual way in which investigations were launched.

TERRY FARQUHARSON: Again, this is quite a different pathway.

UNIDENTIFIED: Correct.

SHANE MCLEOD: And it's that special process that the Opposition has today seized upon. Shadow Transport Minister Martin Ferguson is calling on John Anderson to explain the special treatment allowed to Mr Toller.

MARTIN FERGUSON: The evidence suggests that CASA sought three separate legal opinions as to Mr Toller's alleged breaches rather than let the normal compliance and enforcement procedures run their course. Evidently there is one rule for Mr Anderson, the Minister for Transport's mate Mr Toller, and another rule for Joe Blow and the aviation public.

SHANE MCLEOD: But John Anderson is rejecting the Opposition's attack.

JOHN ANDERSON: No, I think those are predictable remarks and I'll have a close look at what was said but I don't think there's anything new that I can identify from what I've been told about it to this point in time.

COMPERE: John Anderson is the Federal Transport Minister.

COMPERE: Well tonight Mr Anderson and his office released details of some of the legal advice provided to CASA relating to Mick Toller's alleged regulatory breaches.

The former head of the National Crime Authority, Tom Sherman, told CASA there was no need to refer the matter to the DPP because Mr Toller had been formally counselled and the incident was of a relatively minor nature.

The report also found that Mr Toller had been subjected to special and unfavourable treatment in that the allegations against him had been investigated no less than twice.

And here is a link to the Hansard (page 19) from Senate Estimates to which the PM program quotes: 30 May 2001 (PDF format) -Transport and Regional Services
{Note: You will see from Hansard that back then Tezza had a lot more to say, you will also notice that Beaker features as some underling to the Airport's Division}

The point of the above look at ancient history, is to highlight the major roadblock to reform that the IOS is up against. The Iron Ring, ably led by the Doc and supported by the LSD, is so imbedded into the fabric of Fort Fumble that it will take a mammoth effort to shift. Unless you clean out the lot eventually it will reappear reincarnated somewhere else and continue to erode away at the next generation of DAS & FF senior/middle management. That is why the IR is currently fighting tooth & nail to seriously undermine the DAS selection process and protect the sanctity of the trough... God help us if they succeed...

MTF...

[thorn bird]

Perhaps also illustrates the sewer the upper levels of CAsA has become Sarc's.

If they are prepared to sink to those depths on one of their own, what hope for anyone on the outside.

A C208 in some places in the world does not require an endorsement.

So he took the controls!! left seat right seat?commercial operation??was he in command?? was there another pilot on board??.

Or as I suspect,

PIC "want have feel how it flies?"...MT "Handles nicely dosnt it, thanks"

And from the depths of the sewer "Gotim!!"

They really are pieces of work arent they.

[tail wheel]

Farqueson or Aleck as DAS?????

Nurse, bring the Lomotil and a double dose of Dramamine!!!!!

Dick, I know you didn't see eye to eye with Leroy Keith but he seems to be the last CASA DAS that made any sense!