C310 problems in Kununurra
Desert Flower
If the fuel system doesn’t work as in accordance with the pilot’s operating handbook or flight manual them it should be written up in the maintenance release. There is obviously something wrong with it. I have a lot of experience in Cessna, Piper and Beachcraft twins and while the Beachcraft fuel system is very simple to use, the quantity indicators are shocking. Piper isn’t much better. Now while the Cessna fuel system on aircraft fitted with tip tanks is a legacy of refinements over the years, in my opinion, it is no more complicated to use than a PA30 or PA31. Infact I would say that the PA30 has the most complicated fuel system in terms of pilot management than all the light twins I have flown. A thorough knowledge of the fuel system is a mandatory requirement of all pilots. I just hope that this accident isn’t a result of another pilot not knowing his fuel system inside out.
It's not just 310's. It is all Cessna series with tip tanks - 340's, 402's & 421's. And some aircraft have their own peculiar little quirks. I remember an Adelaide based 402B that caught out every pilot that flew it, because you couldn't run on the aux. tanks for as long as the manual said or it would start to cough & splutter!
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Exmexican
I decided to wait until all effects of alcohol subsided before replying to your post. There’s a better chance of it remaining civil that way.
Firstly, sorry for the name-calling, that was totally uncalled for.
Secondly, I did not suggest that there were any duty problems in the past. I merely meant that if five guys were sitting around the table with nothing to do, it is encouraged for two or three to go home and save their duty for when it will be needed. Maybe there was a different system used in the past to have the same effect, but it was not apparent to the JT Major General.
Thirdly, I also did not mean to imply that aircraft were flown over weight in the past. But it is possible (and does happen) for non-flying staff to forget when booking charters/scenic flights that weight restrictions do apply. What I simply meant was that there is now a system in place to help minimise the debacle that occurs some mornings.
Re: Pay rise. You seem to forget that until recently you were being paid BELOW the award. Sure some companies pay above the award, but the best a lot of us can hope to be paid for is at LEAST the award. There are a lot of people out there that don’t even get this. As far as the extra duties are concerned, it is no more that what everyone was already doing anyway.
Now luckily this is a rumour forum my friend, otherwise I would have been very offended. Why don’t you come and see me during the week. We will have that beer you were talking about and I will tell you what really happened (although you got me on the fuel… Damn the fuel cock). That way mate we can finish off the season and enjoy a cold beer or two amicably.
I decided to wait until all effects of alcohol subsided before replying to your post. There’s a better chance of it remaining civil that way.
Firstly, sorry for the name-calling, that was totally uncalled for.
Secondly, I did not suggest that there were any duty problems in the past. I merely meant that if five guys were sitting around the table with nothing to do, it is encouraged for two or three to go home and save their duty for when it will be needed. Maybe there was a different system used in the past to have the same effect, but it was not apparent to the JT Major General.
Thirdly, I also did not mean to imply that aircraft were flown over weight in the past. But it is possible (and does happen) for non-flying staff to forget when booking charters/scenic flights that weight restrictions do apply. What I simply meant was that there is now a system in place to help minimise the debacle that occurs some mornings.
Re: Pay rise. You seem to forget that until recently you were being paid BELOW the award. Sure some companies pay above the award, but the best a lot of us can hope to be paid for is at LEAST the award. There are a lot of people out there that don’t even get this. As far as the extra duties are concerned, it is no more that what everyone was already doing anyway.
Now luckily this is a rumour forum my friend, otherwise I would have been very offended. Why don’t you come and see me during the week. We will have that beer you were talking about and I will tell you what really happened (although you got me on the fuel… Damn the fuel cock). That way mate we can finish off the season and enjoy a cold beer or two amicably.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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circuit heros
Pete-o-heat
Putting circuit heros in charge of real operations, scenic/charter or otherwise is asking for trouble. Theory of flight is a wonderfull thing at ISA back in Perth with lovely large bitumen rwy's and overseas students with wallets so large they require their own postcodes, but from what I understand of your operation, things are slightly more complicated than that. Operations are into and out of dirt strips (and bitumen) at ISA+20 and there is a need for comercial hussel to make ON TIME departures and a need to make commercially viable decisions. So maybe it would be a good idea to start our cherokee/grob champions as line monkeys B4 sending them out into the big harsh kimberley as Seniors checks/ATO's etc. Lets face it too. Kununurra is a sweat shop of aviation and anyone that says otherwise is in massive denial. Internal fighting is not worth it fella's, the company has a long proud history and a couple of group hugs around the beer table won't go astray.
Putting circuit heros in charge of real operations, scenic/charter or otherwise is asking for trouble. Theory of flight is a wonderfull thing at ISA back in Perth with lovely large bitumen rwy's and overseas students with wallets so large they require their own postcodes, but from what I understand of your operation, things are slightly more complicated than that. Operations are into and out of dirt strips (and bitumen) at ISA+20 and there is a need for comercial hussel to make ON TIME departures and a need to make commercially viable decisions. So maybe it would be a good idea to start our cherokee/grob champions as line monkeys B4 sending them out into the big harsh kimberley as Seniors checks/ATO's etc. Lets face it too. Kununurra is a sweat shop of aviation and anyone that says otherwise is in massive denial. Internal fighting is not worth it fella's, the company has a long proud history and a couple of group hugs around the beer table won't go astray.
Join Date: Dec 2002
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unfortunate
Things for one of the Kununurra operators have not gone to plan over the last two weeks and I hope for all pilots in YPKU that moral improves asap. The two pilots concerned are both wonderfull people and one thats making his departure will be sorely missed. As for the CLOWNS in management that put up a notice regarding his termination in the pathetic manner that occured, leaves a lot to be desired. Absolutely abhorrant behavior. The person in question said he stuffed up and it seems that he is not the only pilot in history that has made or will make errors. Big error yes and he put up his dirty little claw and said I stuffed up. No rubbish excuses, just admission. Let the person walk away with the dignity that he deserves for he has conducted himself up to this point over his lengthy stay in the kimberley as a professional and a great bloke. Happy Flying to all and better HR managing to those who attempt to manage (directed to both main KU operators).
Love shmoo
Love shmoo
Amen DrSchmoo...
Hope things start to turn around up there and finish the season on a good note.
TL
Hope things start to turn around up there and finish the season on a good note.
TL
I'll third that one too, schmooman (how are ya fella? ) 
It can be such a pity to see a fantastic workplace ruined by some such acts by ego driven individuals.
Some who you'd think would know better, but insist on nothing short of almost completely degrading otherwise normal people in their first job/s, only to satisfy that disgusting self-absorbed ego. It is also such a pity the owner of the company I speak of didn't know what went on because no-one else would say anything about him.
Ah well, at least I can hold my head up high during the day and sleep straight in bed at night knowing the problem wasn't actually me.
It'll bite him back one day, I just hope I'm there to see it happen.
Such is Kharma.
It can be such a pity to see a fantastic workplace ruined by some such acts by ego driven individuals.
Some who you'd think would know better, but insist on nothing short of almost completely degrading otherwise normal people in their first job/s, only to satisfy that disgusting self-absorbed ego. It is also such a pity the owner of the company I speak of didn't know what went on because no-one else would say anything about him.
Ah well, at least I can hold my head up high during the day and sleep straight in bed at night knowing the problem wasn't actually me.
It'll bite him back one day, I just hope I'm there to see it happen.
Such is Kharma.
Pete O
Good to hear you've calmed down.
Unless things have changed a great deal for the better in the last 5 years, and I know they haven't, you will need a reality check.
You do not need to suggest that there have been duty time "problems" (read- flagrant disregard for maximums). There was, is, and most likely always will be problems in this area.
The same applies to overweight flights. What do you think will be the "straw that broke the camels back"?
Good work on the wages, the boys and girls will appreciate a few extra beers at the end of the week. Sorry I can't join you for a drink, those pesky Scarenorth flights are so hard to get on.
Good luck for the wet.
Good to hear you've calmed down.
Unless things have changed a great deal for the better in the last 5 years, and I know they haven't, you will need a reality check.
You do not need to suggest that there have been duty time "problems" (read- flagrant disregard for maximums). There was, is, and most likely always will be problems in this area.
The same applies to overweight flights. What do you think will be the "straw that broke the camels back"?
Good work on the wages, the boys and girls will appreciate a few extra beers at the end of the week. Sorry I can't join you for a drink, those pesky Scarenorth flights are so hard to get on.
Good luck for the wet.
C310
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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I hear that the general is moving off to YPDN. I guess there will be a few more CASA investigations going on up there soon.
Goodonya cobba, I needed all the grief you caused by my perceived wrongs like a hole in the head. thats twice now and I still didnt do it. very two faced chappy you are, next time you have a problem......... ask me about it instead of telling every one about what you think is a problem, it didnt exist (again).
Goodonya cobba, I needed all the grief you caused by my perceived wrongs like a hole in the head. thats twice now and I still didnt do it. very two faced chappy you are, next time you have a problem......... ask me about it instead of telling every one about what you think is a problem, it didnt exist (again).
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.... maybe a fatigue management problem, kununurra operators and their cao 48 issues.... starting at 4.30am and finishing at 6pm... 6 days a week....
