Engineers To Fight Pilot Flight Checks - Australia

[CD]

Engineers to fight pilot flight checks

 

AIRCRAFT engineers are to launch a public campaign highlighting safety concerns arising from competition between low-cost airlines and plans to allow Jetstar pilots to make pre-flight safety checks.

 

The engineers say they have been told by Jetstar the airline plans to limit pre-flight checks by licensed engineers to one at the start of each day, with pilots performing the rest.

 

A similar proposal by Virgin Blue last year sparked threats of industrial action before the airline reached an agreement that allowed engineers as well as pilots to inspect the carrier's planes at major airports.

 

Engineers confirmed yesterday they planned to campaign against the Jetstar plan, and called on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure competition between low-cost airlines did not lead to short cuts on safety.

 

The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association said its members were under pressure at Virgin Blue not to conduct the checks. The engineers argue that pilots can easily miss problems that would be spotted by trained engineers.

 

But airlines say the pilot checks are common overseas and allowed under current laws and manufacturer guidelines.

 

ALAEA federal secretary David Kemp said the travelling public had every reason to be concerned about the Jetstar proposals.

 

"The manufacturers tell airlines what they want to hear when they're selling aeroplanes," Mr Kemp said. "But these aircraft are complex machines, and they do need to be inspected."

 

Qantas spokesman Michael Sharp said the Jetstar procedures had been approved by CASA. They had been used without a problem for four years at Impulse Airlines, which is forming the basis of the Jetstar operations.

 

"There will be no change for Jetstar – it's exactly what's happening now with the Impulse operations," Mr Sharp said.

 

 

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[jetbox]

This just goes to prove my theory that competition in aviation (fixed or rotary wing) doesn't always result in the best value for the customer. The costs for operating a specific aircraft are roughly the same for all operators, so if operator A is willing to sell his iron at 15% or more cheaper than the industry average, instead of patting themselves on the back and thinking they just got a great deal, maybe those customers should stop and think about what this operator is going to skimp on to pay his bills while his aircraft is flying at a discount price. I would be worried, wouldn't you?

Why don't those operators ask their passengers what they think of pilot's doing engineer's jobs on the plane they're sitting in. I'll bet they wont like the answers!

[Elvis]

I order to save even more money the FO (the captain sure isn't going to do it) is when doing the station stop inspections can also hook up the re-fuelling hoses and the "honey truck" to save on ground service charges.

 

:elvis: :prop: :elvis: :prop: :elvis:

[jetbox]

I have no experiance working for airlines but I can sure tell ya I'd rather have an experience AME look over that plane before my wife and kids board it!!?!!!!

[skullcap]

Years ago I was herassed by a co pilot of a PWA 737 while pumping fuel into his plane as to where the **** was the bonding strap, once I understood what it was he was asking about I replied that he was infact standing on it. But the powers of observation are not owned by AME's although with them thin little pants on in the winter can see how the walkaround could be altered by said pilot.