PILOT MUSTERING NEWS
RE; Public Muster Pilots Meeting 3/10/99
Hello everyone,
Thank you for making the effort to attend this meeting. If we can keep up the momentum of a professional specialized pilot group working together to try to resolve industry problems, then our industry and its clients will all benefit in the long run. Envisage what you want the industry to be like in 5 years and then fill in the gaps between then and now.
The subject on every body’s mind now seems to be that of regulatory changes that seem imminent in the aerial mustering industry. The main thing that we have to be concerned with are changes made by CASA without industry operator consultation
Now is the time that we must all get together and discuss these issues as a pilot orientated group rather than as companies and individuals.
On to the first meeting on the 3/10/99 held at 9.am @ Mt Isa airport: there was a whole lot more discussed than most people were anticipating.
First off, we discussed how we were to get noticed by CASA and others who will be affecting these changes. It was agreed and a vote was carried that a lobby group representing muster pilots would have the better outcome for both pilots and operators.
CASA find it difficult in these political times to talk to every single pilot or operator due to the many varied opinions out there. They prefer to talk to a lobby body such as the HAA, as the membership filter out and get to a majority opinion of their members at branch meetings etc.
Everyone agreed that to form our own muster pilot association at this stage would be too expensive so we agreed to approach Dan Tyler (president of the HAA) and see if it would be workable to form a mustering pilots branch under their banner.
The HAA has recently formed a Muster pilot division and we have been advised by Dan and Ian Paull that they would welcome new membership in the new MP division and that the combined numbers would have greater effect on CASA and politicians.
A vote was carried to join the HAA muster pilot division.
A draft discussion paper addressing problems in the muster industry and suggestions for change, by Alister Polkinhorn from CASA, was shown to the meeting.
It was emphasized that this paper was only for discussion and may carry no weight at this time or in the future. However those present were very receptive to the CASA initiative as it was timely, complete as a project management document and provided for a professional outcome of choice for pilots and industry operators
Discussion on the draft then took place and the following comments were noted:
Flight and duty times! I am sure this will affect every one in the industry.
We all will be aware that the present system of flight and duty time keeping is unworkable for many in the industry. Therefore, changes need to be made.
The Polkinghorn model of F/D times suggested that during a nominated time by the AOC holder (the mustering season) there would be NO cap on the amount of hours flown during the time of daylight to dusk. It also placed a limit of 5 / 6 days on continuos duty. Not everyone agreed with a blanket limit, however it was agreed that the concept was OK and that it can be refined with future consultation. This system is presently in use in other countries.
The group all agreed that the unique seasonal requirements of the Australian muster scene required a second look at the current F/D system. Polkinghorns model is a step forward in this area. Having a blanket approval would not necessarily increase the accident rate as the current system is unworkable in many instances and the pilots are flying the hours anyway. This new model could be implemented and audited by the simple method of using the pilots log book as the required data
More news on this to come.
Now some people might get the wrong idea that we want a free hand to do as many hours as possible and it will be unsafe, but if the chief pilots of the companies attend a one or two day fatigue management program that is approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority or BASI then they will be safely responsible for the time management of their pilots. Let us not forget that the ultimate decision to fly is the pilots!! As mentioned previously: Who are not flying these hours now!
The problem of charter work while mustering has been discussed and there would be consultation with CASA on this subject, to clarify any grey areas.
The audit trail of aircraft is of major concern to CASA as we can see by the recent grounding of several aircraft in northern Queensland. NOBODY wants this! Therefore, all agreed that a tamper proof electronic engine monitoring system should be installed in all mustering helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. This will alleviate any discrepancies in flight times.
It was also mentioned that it should also include private mustering aircraft. The difference between private and commercial operators will be further clarified at a later date.
Having an EEMS in place will ensure that everyone is on a level playing field and the true cost of running an aerial mustering business is brought to the fore. It will stop unscrupulous operators cheating hours to get the job ahead of those operators that refuse to cheat hours. It is then up to management to determine the company charge rate.
Putting these EEMS units in now does not give the true hours that the aircraft has flown already so it was suggested that – similar to other national changes such as drug gun laws - there could be some kind of amnesty so that the people concerned could get their machines legal without fear of prosecution. This will be argued for most strenuously as it would clean up they industry very well. It would also stop CASA worrying about the mustering machines that are sold into the private sector.
The possible spin-offs of these (EEMS) being in place are that
Insurance companies may reduce their premiums, although this was considered rather unlikely by those present at the meeting.
Financiers: It was felt that we would have more to gain from the financier side of the industry as financiers are finding themselves stuck with machines that have to have big dollars spent on them to make them legally airworthy and therefore a saleable asset.
Possible increases in component time in those machines that have an EEMS on board as it will show the true life and condition of components, providing the manufactures and CASA with true-life data. This will be taken up with Helicopter manufacturers by us.
The industry will be operating at it’s true cost and as there has not been a price significant increase in the hourly rate for about 10 years it will put the industry more on a level playing field with other professional operations. It was noted that R22 spares price increases are about 7% per year which means that double about every 11 years!
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On the subject of The Dangerous Goods courses we currently have to do every 2yrs it was suggested we investigate the possibility of doing these every 5yrs for those conducting Aerial work, muster ops only.
It became known that there is to be a meeting between CASA and GRAZIERS about the aerial mustering industry. Why were pilots and operators not invited? Surely, it would make more sense if we were there to contribute our side to this as well. We are at present investigating how we can get one of our representatives to this meeting and any they plan in the future.
Although some were disappointed at the turnout at the meeting – 12 people - by the time everyone left it was quite apparent how much can be achieved by a small number.
To those that couldn’t or wouldn’t turn up if you want your say, you need to make as much effort as possible to get to the next meeting. These problems in the industry are going to be addressed with or without our input. Let’s make sure it works out for US
B regards
Larner Sugden
Acting Chairperson
P: (07) 4742 5995
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