I wonder...?
 

I wonder if there are some issues showing up in the pointy ends of the shiny jets with new pilots joining the ranks and showing some bad habits.

In making enquiries, could CASA now be looking at the testing grounds for GA - up North / Broome / FNQ, and could this have been a contributing factor to the closure of Alligator, DirectAir, et al?

I hear that last week CASA were ramping every person climbing into an aircraft at Parafield - have some pity for the student on their first solo or flight test!

Are CASA now going the next logical step and looking at the breeding grounds for GA - the flying schools, uni, etc?

Could this be, ultimately, a tightening of flying standards? :D

PS: I have no problems with being ramped - the regs are the regs, and we should know them if we're in this game. I do have some issues with how the regs are written, but that's a discussion for the bar, with a bevvy. And no, this isn't a CASA-bashing exercise - I was just curious if there was a trend happening..

Having never been 'ramped' before myself, would you mind providing some insight as to what these CASA guys are looking for?

Nothing much really, mostly to see that all your paperwork is in order (licence, medical, MR, etc...) occasionaly an airworthiness inspector will have a quick look over the aircraft. On one occasion, they weighed all my passengers, freight, etc and then I had to explain my load sheet in detail.

They may ask you a few questions about the type of operation that you are about to perform, if you are reasonably well prepared, a ramp check is certainly no big deal. :ok:

That you (and your aircraft) are airworthy and 'legal', Ben.

If you're unsure if what that constitutes, I'd get your head in the regs pronto, cause its not if, but when the little men in yellow bibs and clip boards will come scurrying across the ramp towards you as you pull up! :E

The problem, mate, is that if the Rampers really want to find a problem, they will. What is the equivalent of the standard Police excuse of "worn wiper blade rubbers" for declaring a vehicle unroadworthy?

just how will ramp checking improve training standards? only skilled experienced instructors will help increase pilot standards and airmanship.

That's an easy one. "Let me look at your maintenance release, Sir. Let me see now, counting the hours on the MR I see it comes to 75 hours since the last 100 hourly inspection. I must say Sir, what a beautiful clean MR you have here. Not one single defect recorded in 75 hours. I think we need to look a little closer, don't you?"

Whoops! that nosewheel tyre looks a bit bald to me. Sits in seat and looks around. My goodness gracious me, Sir - that right hand mixture lever is very stiff and the friction nut spins freely, too. Does it work? What's this Sir? The left cowl flap lever is jammed full open? The park brake doesn't seem to work either.. pilot looks glum and says I was told by my instructor yonks ago to never to trust park brakes so I hold my feet on the brake pedals for run-up so it doesn't matter if the park brake never works. And so on.

And so on….

There’s a 100 foot difference between the altimeter readings, despite them having the same QNH settings. Did that happen after landing, Sir?

Gosh that fuel selector placard is hard to read, Sir. Could you show me the ‘off’ position? Hmmmm, you seem to be having some difficulty in getting that selector to move, Sir.

I see your VHF is set to the CTAF that applied here until the first of this month. That might account for no one having heard any call from you inbound or in the circuit. Did you check NOTAMS for this aerodrome before or during your flight, Sir?

Could you show me the VTC you are carrying for this area? No Sir, your Ipad doesn’t count. And from the colour of the label on that paper one, I can see from here that it’s out of date.

You joined a left downwind and conducted a left hand circuit. Can you remind me what ERSA says about the circuit direction here, Sir?

I see your medical certificate includes a condition requiring vision correction. Please show me your spare pair of glasses, Sir.

And what’s this, Sir? Your logbook indicates you flew this aircraft yesterday. You entered 3.5 hours in command, yet the MR records only 1.5 hours TIS.

And so on...

Creamie,
Very long taxi, big departure delays, no gate available for ages on return, could happen to any of us.

Best I ever saw was 3.5h block, nil on the MR, because the aircraft never got airborne --- winter fog at (then) ASBK, and said pilot needed a min. of 3.5 hours PIC that day, or he missed a promotional slot in QF.
Tootle pip!!

That says it all really, doesn't it....

I agree Jack.

Small things occupy small minds!

Touche, big fella! :) I want to see the FOI’s face the first time an R22 pilot tries it! :)

Jack and Spotlight: to what and whom do you refer?

I've only been half ramped once when they were waiting for me only to find that I was flying the aircraft and not who they thought was in command. I realised why and simply said "Good day Mr Smith" and walked off in response to the then smurk on his face.

I'm just amusing myself thinking of how the conversation will go:

Me now: Yes hang on I'm sure it's here. No not this iPad1 or mini- yeah they're just being used for testing. Sorry this iPad4 is in the way. Oh wait here it is behind the iPhone.

Me in 2 years: What is this p-a-p-e-r thing you speak of? Is that like what the bible was written on or something?

Creampuff, not your posts! I'm actually enjoying them. Learning quite a bit :ok:

I've always been of the opinion if you're doing the right thing a ramp won't be a problem. I'm sure most of the surveillance crew use common sense when dealing with pilots.

The 'says it all' comment is in relation to, firstly a pilot that would log 3.5 hours sitting on his/her arse doing nothing with the engine running. Secondly a company accepting this as a 'box tick.' Thirdly an aviation 'system' that allows this as logable time. Fourthly, I'm no LAME but with no airflow over an air cooled engine, the possibility of damage? There's probably a fifth, sixth, seventh etc

Roger :ok:

When I am greeted with a ramp check, I normally open the door and hand them a pile with:

Maintenace Release
Weather & NOTAM's
Weight & Balance
Passenger Manifest
Licence
Logbook (not required, but makes the pile look bigger)

Am usually underway within 5 minutes, got a letter to my employer once complimenting me on the ramp check and the way I conducted myself. They soon moved onto the next guy (who was little less well prepared) and pinged him for a frayed seat belt!

Howard Hughes, may I ask what you mean by "Pinged"? just purely out of interest, we talking a rap on the knuckles, stern talking to or something else?

I believe it involves a rubber band and a rude part of one's anatomy

Pinged = Nicked. Induced by naughty activity.