Pilot charged over Queenstown takeoff

[Charl]

I've never been comfortable as an airline passenger out of Queenstown.
Not incoming, funnily enough, just out.
There's always an issue, somehow.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6529067/Pi...enstown-takeoff

[cowpatz]

This should never have gone to court. I have no idea why CAA have pursued it to the degree that they have. Muscle flexing me thinks and one which significantly erodes the regulators relationship with it's "clients".

[Adamski]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Mar 6 2012,8:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This should never have gone to court. I have no idea why CAA have pursued it to the degree that they have. Muscle flexing me thinks and one which significantly erodes the regulators relationship with it's "clients".

I'm intrigued as to why they're charging the *pilot*. Shouldn't they be charging the airline?

[chopper_nut]

The Campaign Against Aviation strikes again.

[ZK-MAT]

I'm comfortable with someone being charged if they breach a rule. He broke the rule and departed too late, didn't he?

[Adamski]

QUOTE (ZK-MAT @ Mar 6 2012,2:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm comfortable with someone being charged if they breach a rule. He broke the rule and departed too late, didn't he?

Depends on what the rule is - apparently, he was going by Pacblue operating procedures <???>.

[SA227]

There is no rule, however you do have to abide by what ever your company exposition says so we shall see what happens.
CAA now have a policy of using the big stick rather than waving it about, whether that is a good or bad thing I guess depends on the situation.

[Charl]

QUOTE (cowpatz @ Mar 6 2012,8:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...Muscle flexing me thinks

The facts are going to come out in court, which is important.

As I said, I've had some "Strange" experiences leaving Queenstown.
I knew we were all going to die, the day a Qantas 737 delayed and delayed its take-off, then took off into a descending cloud base and dwindling light.
He decided he couldn't get out after all, and then flew figures-of-eight with us under the cloud, ever lower.
He eventually burned off enough fuel to get down to landing weight, and duly and quickly did.
I want him in court, too...

[Bazza]

QUOTE (Charl @ Mar 6 2012,6:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The facts are going to come out in court, which is important.

This is the whole point of the exercise. The matter has been forwarded to the appropriate tribunal to assess the matter. I'm sure the decision to go
ahead was taken after a lot of examination and research and any emotional opinions from people outside the loop doesn't help anything.

Wait and see....?