Good idea - for everyone concerned. Kharon, your (well-considered) post implies that pretty much anyone taking the position will be a 'nodding donkey'. That may or may not be true, but I doubt it's how many people would read Sunfish's comment.

Latter essential, former, not so.
 

Maybe there is someone among those ready to put down Mr Skidmore who would feel able and qualified to apply for the position to which Mr Skidmore has been appointed. Surely we would all benefit from the vast experience that those so critical of Mr Skidmore's appointment could bring to the position.

Yes there are a few who could do the job
 

But would:

• The immediate implementation of the ASRR reccomendations or
• The removal of the casa dead-wood.
• The removal of the 200 or so staff who are non-performers;
• Spending money on purchasing the NZ system;

Achieve an appointment of that person, as it would defy the effect of the incumbents and the over-riding MrDAK [supported by previous departmental head, now casa Board Chair - Hawkes].

Whilst I agree we should give Mr Skidmore a fair go, it is entirely approriate for forthright representation of the widespread disatisfaction to be conveyed to the new DAS. It is unlikely he is not aware of it, but there will be other "stakeholders" who will want to maintain the status quo.
There will doubtlessly be a number a people in CASA who will be in his ear saying the complaints are unwarrented whining and bleating from the industry and private operators, and there is no need to change the fine work of his predecessor.
We need to be very clear in continuing our representation that major change is vital and warranted, and needed early. Hopefully, Senator Fawcett et al will be able to assist in emphasising this.
Again, an effective and INDEPENDENT complaints avenue is vital, and one that has direct access to the DAS.

Old Fella:

I am sure AVM. Skidmore is a great bloke, however that is not the issue. The issue is whether he has the skills and experience to drive a massive change program through an organisation loaded with reactionaries in senior management ranks. I've driven some "little" change stuff and even that was hard.

I would be pleasantly surprised if the good AVM has such skills but I think not. The term "military reformer" is an oxymoron. The AVM also would need the absolute cast iron support of the Minister, the Department head and the Board to drive a change program and I don't think that is coming either as evidenced by the time we have been waiting for the Governments response to the review recommendations.

To put that another way, driving a change program at CASA would involve rivers of (figurative) blood, frequent horrendous leaks to the media about safety issues, court cases and serious bastardry with much screaming and yelling as attempts are made to send senior managers packing. It is difficult and professionally dangerous work which often results in the reformer leaving the job early. I don't believe anyone in Government has the stomach for that.

This is not a job for a white knight, it is a job for a smiler with a great big knife behind his back- ergo, nothing is going to change. There will be reorganisation, new names perhaps but nothing substantial.

1. SITUATION.
2. MISSION.
3. EXECUTION.
4. ADMIN.
5. COMMAND AND CONTROL.


Basic officer skills. But totally alien to public servants.

Can we afford as an industry this fella that is the big question.
What is upsetting is we had the right person to for fill the position.

Ga is to hard for casa to regulate with the budget that they have.

There will always be ga but not so much private ga.

The best way to familiarise the new DAS with industry's thoughts on CASA, it's abilities and it's legacy is to send him up to North Queensland to meet with Shane Urquhart. The new DAS can then accompany Shane on a visit to Sally's grave. This will give the new DAS a proper look without the 'bull****, phoney survey, polished graph, Board molested, smoke and mirror act'.
Hell, he could even swing by Mareeba if he wanted to.

and John Quadrio!!
 

to ask about dodgy casa statements and the effect on pilots.

Why do most people here assume the Government, Minister, CASA Board and DoT want change in CASA? Perhaps Government are satisfied with CASA performance and Mr Skidmore has a mandate to keep CASA on its present course?

What evidence is there that the new DAS has any mandate for change?

Torres,
ABSOLUTELY NONE!!!

OK team enough of the negativity and the whining.Every industry finds its regulator a hinderance.

The banks hate ASIC. The miners hate the enviro departments. Transport companies hate the RTA.

Let's for a moment assume XXXXXXXX - sorry - Skates could achieve meaningful change, given the appropriate vehicle.

Nobody would argue that these industries should be given unlimited freedom and most people, those able to think rationally, would agree that aviation is the same.

The problem is that massive financial and administrative burdens (eg: requirements for multiple non-billable administrative personnel) are imposed on small businesses not to achieve *actual* safety improvements, but to achieve safety improvements that are incremental, perceived, or merely theoretical.

We cannot assume that we are the only industry burdened thus.

What would the Australian economy look like without the equivalent brown-tape that must be imposed on every industry?

Bill Clinton introduced a bill to congress with the overt objective of freeing the GA manufacturing sector from the crushing weight of public liability cases. Imagine if we could get the Economic Revitalisation (General Aviation) Act 2016 up.

What would you want to see in that legislation?

Horatio, that is very naughty. A few of us have resisted the urge until he has at least been able to bed himself in, shuffle some papers, water the pot plants and review a lot of CASA's issues :=

Now McComic, that my friend is a true skidmark! Someone who really left an unsightly stain on our aviation fabric! Anyway, that particular number 2 has been flushed away (apparently on its way to Canada's version of Luggage Point - ICAO). I am looking forward to letting Skates settle in for a brief spell. I believe the man will have good intentions, I have no doubt that he is Catholic and has a very high I.Q, and I really like his John Holmes moustache, I just don't think he knows yet that he will not be the Commander on the HMAS Fort Fumble.

Steve,

Don't pretend you did not see my post. How about answers for a change?:rolleyes:

Please be nice, Jaba.

yr right's possibly rather busy, yet again rearranging his burned clys. ;)

Jaba
Why would I bother. If you won't to know what was said look it up your self. It's all there.
This thing that if your an airline captain or ex military your the best is such a myth.
Look at the problems the military have been having lately. What you think that this stuff is just recent. No it's not. It's been happening for ever. This then follows them in to the real world when they leave.

Gerry
You would neither have the intellectual knowledge or the skill to be even know what a cylinder is. I'm guessing the biggest part of your day is weather to have the Danish or the custard tart for morning tea. Whoops look out for paper cuts.

Oh also Jaba
Have you ever signed out an aircraft that has crashed and killed 5 people. Then have to worry about if you made a mistake. Have your parter scream in the middle of the night dreaming the police have come to take you away.

I guess not.


I have

Yr right

Have you ever had a cabin door pop open in flight because your engineers didn't re-assemble it correctly?

Have you ever paid for multiple component replacements - parts AND labour - while your LAMEs try to fix a problem, only for it to be the issue you told them about in the first place?

Have you ever had an engineering shop hold you to ransom?

I have.

This myth you believe in that LAMEs are some sort of God-like figure is laughable. Get off your high horse mate this engineer vs pilot crap is just another fracture in the industry stopping us act as one, in the interest of our mutual survival.

I am genuinely saddened to hear that. Perhaps that is still having an effect on you today, did you ever seek help after all that?

No, none that I have signed out have fortunately. That is not to say that I do not think about such an issue and have it at the back of my mind whenever I touch one. But statistically I have an advantage I guess. Thats the advantage of not having the same degree of experience as you, by volume I carry less risk.

However, given the constant taunts and school yard bullying dished out to several here on pprune, I do find it hard to accept that you best answer is "why would I bother".

Steve,

You've quoted the number 5 which might not be entirely correct. However I guess that narrows it down a bit. Instead of being obstructionist why not share your experience with all so that someone might learn from it and just perhaps prevent an accident happening as a result. Judging from posts you've made in some other areas regarding your history if you'd signed it out it was probably operating in the charter category however signing out an aircraft in itself does not lend to an accident taking place, there are always alot of other factors like weather etc.

I guess you gave evidence but you obviously weren't in any trouble and given your vast legal experience and expertise that you've told us about you would be aware what you can and can't say.

That being said, as you well know and were probably brought up with, there's nothing quite as valuable as being able to learn from the experience, good or bad, of another.

Just a pity you don't care to share yours that obviously relates to something that happened a long time ago but is still clearly relevant from an engineers perspective.

Stiky
:rolleyes:

thought this post was about the new DAS

Sorry Thorny.
Let's see now:
Ex RAAF
F111 driver
Mirage driver
ARDU Test pilot

I've also heard he's a good bloke and very easy to talk to.

I'll bet he's the first DAS who was a DC3 test pilot! He gets my vote!
Stiky
:ok:

A "pilot" and a "good bloke".

If only they'd thought of those selection criteria before.

DAS - Not at home on Monday morning
 

The new DAS obviously was not keen to be "in the shop" and was absent on Monday morning.

This is not a good look - checked the bosses [miniscule] presso and it did not say last Thursday that the DAS would not be in at "first light" on Monday.

Where are you Mark??

Decisions to be made or the place will further:

"Go to H***L in a handbag"

UITA

That is a bit rich. I dare say he had plenty of things to do that did not involve being in his office on the first day.

Perhaps it was meeting with the minister or the board or a dozen other likely things.

WTF does religion have to do with anything???
One might say that those who believe in fairies, have a questionable IQ, but that's for a different forum:}:}:)

Probably avidly reading this page in search of direction; lucky we're here to set him on the right track!

UITA

I'm pretty sure the press release specifically mentioned that he would join CASA as soon as he could exit from existing commitments.

Calm the fck down. :suspect:

I am calm HL
 

Just read the releases HL:

Civil Aviation Safety Authority - October Special edition 2014

and:

New CASA Director of Aviation Safety appointed

No dates, so start must be on Monday 3rd November - HL.

That's what you would expect wouldn't it, if you had appointed someone being paid around $450,000 per year??? in your business.

This is big money and we need that person now and getting aviation going.

I'd be thinking that the first task the new DAS is up for, is to digest the Canberra Caravan's 'manifesto'...

If so, perhaps he's on stress leave already? :p

Boxes to tick, treats to enjoy
 

Lots of boxes for the new DAS to tick in his first week;

a) HR induction - Paperwork to fill in, make phone call and ask for QF Chairmans Lounge privileges, provide bank account details, superannuation transfer papers to be completed plus a run down on annual leave days and sick days and doctors certificates required for two consecutive days off. Finally sign that he understands CASA's discrimination and bullying policy!

b) Staff meet and greet - A sojourn to the Witchdoctors office and a bit of cheery intellectual banter, followed by a quick stop at Terry's desk (not til after 1100 am as he grabs a morning kip). Then a trip to Brisbane and a tour of the basement worm farm and the bicycle rack. (Mark, beware, the Snake Warning signs are now out on the lawns :ok:)

c) Medical - Coloured eye vision test followed by the 'cough and squeeze' test and finally a rectum examination just incase he tries to smuggle the Skull back into the building!

d) Finally - commence A380 endorsement, thoroughly examine all upcoming trough options, review the CASA IOS and MAM blacklist.

So UITA, you are a bit harsh mate, give him time.......

HL your not with out fault your self btw. So get off your horse.
And how do you make it my engineer. I was not my engineer at all. Do not inver that I had any thing to do with you or your aircraft. Because that is un true !
Jaba.
Pilot flew where he should not off in weather the ducks where on the ground. He took out the life's of 4 innocent people.
I was lucky in that when basi arrived and looked at the aircraft my friend was picking it up for recovery. He heard then passed onto me that it was was the best maintained aircraft of its type they had seen.

I have zero control of the one thing that is the weakest link in the system.

Sticky
I don't lie never have never will. When I say 5 people lost their life's 5 people did.

I never said, explicitly or otherwise, that it had anything to do with you or that it was "your" engineer.

Nor did I say I was without fault.

That sort of thing goes without saying :ok:

There, fixed it for you.

HL, you're not without fault yourself btw. So get off your horse.
And how do you make it my engineer? It was not my engineer at all. Do not infer that I had anything to do with you or your aircraft. Because that is untrue!
Jaba.
Pilot flew where he should not have, in weather the ducks were on the ground. He took out the lives of 4 innocent people.
I was lucky, in that when BASI arrived and looked at the aircraft, my friend was picking it up for recovery. He heard, then passed onto me, that it was was the best maintained aircraft of its type they had seen.

I have zero control of the one thing that is the weakest link in the system.

Sticky
I don't lie. Never have never will. When I say 5 people lost their lives, 5 people did.

Folks,
I remember this all to well, CASA/Toller misquoted a Boeing study, the Boeing figures were not for Australia, but for Oceania, and, in the Australian case, helpfully excluded all the Australian RPT accidents, fatal or otherwise.

The statement prompted a detailed study being delivered to the then Minister, John Anderson, showing that the actual figures, using ICAO definitions, had an Australian GA accident rate double US, and an airline accident rate more than 3 times US.

The Minister was so disturbed by the study, he had it sent to the NTSB for comment. The NTSB answer was words, the equivalent of: " Of course it's correct, it is assembled from publicly available data".

Since then, the differential between GA in US and AU has deteriorated, much of the difference is the steady improvement in the US. There has been no such steady improvement in Australia.

Tootle pip!!

No problem Steve, (and thanks allcool names!!!)

Not calling you a liar or inferring that. I just queried the numbers a bit as the only accidents with 5 fatalities within Australia that I can readily recall were Willowbank and Caboulture accidents, both of which involved the ATSB, not BASI. Taking your age into account I thought that failing those two accidents the one that you refer to was obviously quite a while ago (as it involved BASI) , hence the number question. This is no doubt my mixup but hopefully you'll set the record straight here!!!

Oh, and I'm sure the new DAS would also be keen to learn how someone with the vast legal and expert aviation experience that you have can help prevent future accidents simply by sharing in a community such as this. Hang on a sec....hasn't that happened before historically with others?

Come on Steve, be a bit refreshing for a change!!

Stiky
:ok:

Reading the Director leaves AVMED and don't slam the door behind you thread, I came upon a post by Pinky the pilot which led me to an epiphany regarding our new DAS, Mark (skates) Skidmore. Post partly quoted below;


QUOTE Note to CASA. Given the level of dissatisfaction and really outright hostility expressed in some of the posts here; Has it finally sunk in that you are held in deep suspicion, contempt and viewed as being an 'enemy' to pilots in general, and if indeed it has finally sunk in, just what do you intend to do to restore the faith and good will that 'once upon a time*' did exist!

*Yes, it did, years ago I believe QUOTE.


Having the benefit of being active in aviation during the DCA days circa 1965, I remember the whole show being run by RAAF types ex WW2.


This lot were prone to the usual military foibles inherited by being part of an organization of saluting paranoiacs and obsessive compulsives, but in the main were decent chaps and would rather educate than regulate. They didn't have performance bonuses and were paid a fair wage doing what they loved doing. (flying). Blokes like Russ Evans, Bob Jervis, Bill Lord would go out of their way to help if you asked them but would stomp on you from a great height if you took the piss. They were role models to a larger degree and completely opposite to what we have today.


Pinky the pilot got it right, there was faith and goodwill once upon a time. And it need restoring. It needs restoring now, not in twelve months time, (there will be no GA then).


I've decided to give Skates a go to see if he can start on this task as I believe the whole mess can't be addressed until trust is restored. Action, not words from spin doctors, (who should be sacked immediately), will start this process. Maybe start by redressing some obvious wrongs, admitting some liability, kicking a few backsides, reopening some old wounds to fix what should have been fixed instead of fcuked, bring up some old wrecks from the ocean just to placate the plebiscite and look a bit deeper into politico-beureaucrat-corporate goings on.


I have also been pondering the possibility that he and Fawcett may be the team to keep Mrdak and Co in their place. I haven't figured where Truss fits in except perhaps Barnaby may take a shot at his job with some noisy encouragement.


Anyway, he owns a Globe Swift so can't be all bad. Has one simple job.. regain trust. How hard can it be? He has my confidence for the time being.


I hope he doesn't disappoint.

VERY, VERY Hard....
 

"How hard can it be" quoth Frank.

EXTREMELY HARD, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE because of the long entrenched "Iron Ring" and the bureaucratic way.
Bureaurats know every slip sliding sllthery way to divert, subvert and pervert the process of any changes THEY dont want.

eg Classification of Operations Policy adopted by the Minister and the Board April 1997. What happened to all that ???
Viewed, chewed and spat out after a few years like it had never ever existed.:mad:

The good Mr Skidmore, if he is really serious about cleaning the place up should get behind a call for a ROYAL COMMISSION. :ok::ok:
With a clean slate, he could then restart the process of regaining the trust of the industry.

If he enters the fray alone and thinks he can do it all himself, then I am afraid that the only sign of him ever being there will be a faint skid mark on the floor.

Skidmore start date
 

Can anybody tell me the start date at CASA for Mark Skidmore?

About a week before the Christmas break?:E