Snoozing pilot misses landing - The Australian
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Snoozing pilot misses landing - The Australian
Need to be a brave passenger to fly Tasfast/Vortex Air, especially over water.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...b67105b80e74b1
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...b67105b80e74b1
Snoozing pilot misses landing
An investigation has been launched into an incident in which a pilot fell asleep during a one-hour charter flight, resulting in the aircraft overflying its destination by 46km. The 6.21am Vortex Air flight from Devonport to King Island on November 8
Need to be a brave passenger to fly Tasfast/Vortex Air, especially over water.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...b67105b80e74b1
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...b67105b80e74b1
Snoozing pilot misses landing
An investigation has been launched into an incident in which a pilot fell asleep during a one-hour charter flight, resulting in the aircraft overflying its destination by 46km. The 6.21am Vortex Air flight from Devonport to King Island on November 8
Need to be a brave passenger to fly Tasfast/Vortex Air, especially over water.
I am so over “experts” making statements on incidents before the investigation is completed.
Not just over water. This is the same company that had a little bingle with some bollards at Mount Hotham and flew home with pax onboard. Also landed at a private ALA that was closed due runway maintenance. Don’t know how they missed the large X’s on the runway that were made out of tyres.
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A lot of pilots would have fallen asleep briefly especially in these sorts of Ops where it's an early morning dep & that drone in smooth air would dull ones senses at times, fatigue is a hideous thing, ALL humans suffer from it! Hope they don't crucify the guy, gets help & learns from it as other can do:-)
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The difference is that flying over land is likely to offer better "premature" landing options than flying over water.
Poorly maintained fleet, inexperienced pilots, inadequate management, Are they still charging for training and ICUS time?
I have experience with the Vortex/Tasfast operations and am not surprised about this at all. Last time I looked their planes were held together by speed tape and fencing wire. The Tuckers have a "colorful" history.
The difference is that flying over land is likely to offer better "premature" landing options than flying over water.
Poorly maintained fleet, inexperienced pilots, inadequate management, Are they still charging for training and ICUS time?
The difference is that flying over land is likely to offer better "premature" landing options than flying over water.
Poorly maintained fleet, inexperienced pilots, inadequate management, Are they still charging for training and ICUS time?
So you’re saying that due to pilot inexperience and poor maintenance, plus the fact that the pilot may have had to pay for their own training, has caused the pilot to fall asleep?
I hope that LKinnon is not a derivative of your real name.
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Pilot flies nearly 50km past destination after 'falling asleep mid-air'
Despite this, the jet landed safely at 6.21am at King Island Airport
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Quite powerful words you are using there.
So you’re saying that due to pilot inexperience and poor maintenance, plus the fact that the pilot may have had to pay for their own training, has caused the pilot to fall asleep?
I hope that LKinnon is not a derivative of your real name.
What would have happened if the Tasfast/Vortex pilot had not woken in time? He would have run out of fuel over Bass Strait and the wreck would never be found.
It is not speculation, the plane was uncontrolled and headed out to sea because the pilot was asleep. I don't recall a similar situation with any other charter operator ever.
I would never fly Vortex/Tasfast nor would I let any of my family do so either.
Last edited by LKinnon; 26th Nov 2018 at 23:02. Reason: .
At Moorabbin walk past the Tasfast/Vortex planes and have a look for yourself. A lot of has previously been written here about "ICUS" and "training" programs run by these people, do a search.
What would have happened if the Tasfast/Vortex pilot had not woken in time? He would have run out of fuel over Bass Strait and the wreck would never be found.
It is not speculation, the plane was uncontrolled and headed out to sea because the pilot was asleep. I don't recall a similar situation with any other charter operator ever.
I would never fly Vortex/Tasfast nor would I let any of my family do so either.
What would have happened if the Tasfast/Vortex pilot had not woken in time? He would have run out of fuel over Bass Strait and the wreck would never be found.
It is not speculation, the plane was uncontrolled and headed out to sea because the pilot was asleep. I don't recall a similar situation with any other charter operator ever.
I would never fly Vortex/Tasfast nor would I let any of my family do so either.
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Once I had a look thru the windscreen of a Chieftain they operate for freight and noticed that the dash panel seemed to held together with wire, with old and decrepit avionics that I wouldn't trust. Also have seen tyres so bald the belts could be seen.
Other little things, like the side perspex windows covered with some sort of adhesive sheets. I assume this was because it was cheaper than replacing the perspex windows.
Other things that have worried me are the Vortex/Tasfast pilots regularly taxiing fast than I thought safe on the apron and parking in an ad-hoc manner outside of designated parking bays.
My guess is that CASA will be reviewing the Tasfast/Vortex Air Fatigue Management procedures. If I was a pilot there I'd be expecting drug and alcohol testing by CASA some time soon too.
Looks like this story has now been picked up the international media too, including CNN.
Other little things, like the side perspex windows covered with some sort of adhesive sheets. I assume this was because it was cheaper than replacing the perspex windows.
Interesting observation. I made an enquiry a number of years back about doing my MECIR there as they were offering it in their chieftains and asked if their fleet was fitted with RMI and HSI. They rudely responded that some were and weren't but I shouldn't need them as an IFR pilot should be able to fly without them.
While the above statement is true, most IFR training in the 21st century is done using these instruments with only a bit of limited panel work done without. Not too sure I like the idea of an IFR charter operator conducting operations at night over Bass Strait in poor weather without an HSI.
Once again yes, its not mandatory and charter guys should be able to fly without them but they are pretty standard kit these days even in crusty old chieftains and it says a lot about an operator when they don't do at least some upgrades to modernise 50 year old instrumentation.
While the above statement is true, most IFR training in the 21st century is done using these instruments with only a bit of limited panel work done without. Not too sure I like the idea of an IFR charter operator conducting operations at night over Bass Strait in poor weather without an HSI.
Once again yes, its not mandatory and charter guys should be able to fly without them but they are pretty standard kit these days even in crusty old chieftains and it says a lot about an operator when they don't do at least some upgrades to modernise 50 year old instrumentation.
I really have to laugh at how off the mark some of you blokes are, especially ol’ mate LKinnon.
Insight into an operation is a beautiful thing. Comments such as above is how general aviation operators can be destroyed off false facts in this amazingly regulated country we’re in.
For the record, Vortex Air aircraft have updated avionics. So both of you speaking have not had anything to do with the company for many years.
All their Chieftain’s have either a G430, 530 or GTN650 TSO146 gps fitted. All have HSI’s with dual instrumentation and others have Aspen PFD’s or Sandel electronic AH/ASI/ALT.
I have no idea how any of that is related to falling asleep and fatigue. But maybe the increased maintenance they have was not a blessing. If the autopilot didn’t work, he’d likely be more alert and potentially not fall asleep. I think it’s the 16 hour TOD approval that needs to be reviewed. But hey, who am I to speculate?
Insight into an operation is a beautiful thing. Comments such as above is how general aviation operators can be destroyed off false facts in this amazingly regulated country we’re in.
For the record, Vortex Air aircraft have updated avionics. So both of you speaking have not had anything to do with the company for many years.
All their Chieftain’s have either a G430, 530 or GTN650 TSO146 gps fitted. All have HSI’s with dual instrumentation and others have Aspen PFD’s or Sandel electronic AH/ASI/ALT.
I have no idea how any of that is related to falling asleep and fatigue. But maybe the increased maintenance they have was not a blessing. If the autopilot didn’t work, he’d likely be more alert and potentially not fall asleep. I think it’s the 16 hour TOD approval that needs to be reviewed. But hey, who am I to speculate?
Last edited by transition_alt; 27th Nov 2018 at 04:28.
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Thanks for photo , brings back memories ( some very sleepy on those early morning cray runs after a couple night freight runs first ) . 6 years flying them , one missing RRM ! Good times !
