Hi Slezy, I don't know that impartiality is a requirement for a rumour network. You are correct though, there is resentment from folk who have dedicated large chunks of their lives to Coastwatch and AMSA, and they have been effectively thrown under the bus.what can you say of an organisation that is so arrogant that it turns away this level of expertise. This is also an indictment that the Commonwealth are happy to ignore this transfer of skills as unimportant.That coupled with the cost over runs and unsuitable airframe suggest that the selection was biaised to the foreign entity who now has a monopoly on the two most significant special mission contracts in Australia. Yep we are angry, and feeling betrayed.
Look out it can happen to any of us.

Hey Afterburn - tried to PM you but couldn't. Can you PM me so I can send to you??!!


Trev

So, these guys are finding themselves advertising again for captains and FOs for Cairns base. By all rights, this should be an attractive job - but clearly it isn't. Cobham need to get real wrt their salary package on this one.

Would you please post a link to the advertisement for Cairns based crew?
Thank you.

Famzos: Australian Federation of Air Pilots - Pilot Jobs in Asia Pacific Region

Wasathangi

Are you suggesting the contract was signed with known unknowns? ie what it can or can't drop.

Wouldn't it be good, even just once, if a govt department purchased something off the shelf, and it works - on time and on budget? I'm thinking Sea Sprites, air to air refuelling etc etc

Wasathangi, if they are dropping now from 604 I believe people would want to know what the accuracy is. You seem to be in the know can you elaborate.

Wasathangi I don't know where you get your information but there were plenty of AR crew who put in EOI's that didn't get an interview. My understanding of the process was it was very unprofessional with crew not getting an email response at all. Looked rather petty and spiteful, those in the game know who was pushing the buttons.

Wasathangi I can vouch for the above. I also know of multiple AR pilots who got nothing more than a "thanks for your application, we will be in touch", AR pilots who have had NO previous affiliation with Cobham in the past. Many never progressed beyond the online application stage even though they are performing the job currently. Then to see the job re-advertised again just last week? What a joke.:ugh:

Did the guys who received the "thanks but no thanks" letter apply for Captains position with no jet time?

Renurrp, I know of at least 3 fellas who had multiple jet ratings that didn't get a look in. I also know who they hired and their type of time. No disrespect as I'm sure they are worthy, but experience counts for a bit at 200ft in a SS7. People didn't even get a thanks but no thanks either, rude to the extreme. It says a fair bit about the type of company they are when they can't even notify unsuccessful candidates, particularly when they meet all the requirements and more.

So who have they hired then? Guys with type ratings already? Or guys with low level experience?

Jet ratings? Does that mean hrs or just a rating?

If I were them, and considered low level experience as essential, which I don't, I would be looking at their own Dash 8 pilots before external turbo prop guys who can steer and aircraft at 200 feet. (It's not that hard)

If I were them and I'm not, nor would they listen, I would definitely be looking for experienced guys with jet time. Considering the frequency they get airborne experience will count and I don't count playing games in the sim as suitable experience.

The blokes I know had jet experience, low level jet experience at that. So Renurrp you don't think low level dropping is that hard? Therein lies the problem. Experience in low level SAR operations is critical, particularly when the bulk of your training will be done in the sim, on an aircraft that has a slick wing when you're running 15 knots shy of the stall speed. Smarter minds than me are at work here and good luck to Cobham, I'm just pointing out that the AR crew didn't all get an interview and were dealt with rather rudely when it came to letting them know they were unsuccessful.

I'm not familiar with the CL604. Do you mean Vs +15, or Vmin +15?

Capt Claret and other posters, I must apologize also. It appears the V2 speed as best as I can discover is 149 knots, + 15 would give us 164 knots not 180 knots drop speed as the Townsville refueller told me.

No. I sought clarification of your statement.

Perhaps. There are automation philosophies that are either all or nothing, i.e., if AP is off then AT must be off as well. I don't know how SM will run the CL604 but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if AT and AP were verboten below 1000'.

Likewise, there are automation philosophies that are half and half. Like your machine, AS2A ;) and another "close by" light twin that looks like a mad dog. I understand the all-on-all-off was/is a 737 thing due to the PIOs that occur when the driver is changing the power whilst handflying. Certainly with centreline/mid-level engines, hand-flying with a decent ATS is a no-brainer.