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Rotor Research Pty Ltd Helicopter Info Site

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12 Sept 2003

The R22 Chronicles

Part Seven: "Where to from here?"

In the preceding Parts I have merely scratched the surface of the Helicopter industry in Australia. Sure, the emphasis has been on the R22 used in mustering operations, however not all users of other types are blameless. You would think that any distributor or agent selling another type such as the H 269 or Bell 47 must have known what was happening and had a responsibility to do something about it.

One organisation that did know was the Helicopter Association of Australia (HAA). I heard a lot of "talk" from certain members and officials over the years and I am sure that other members and the public would like to know what the HAA has achieved in it's communication with CASA and the fight against falsification of records. In my opinion, the HAA has failed those who have been killed by its inaction.

CAA, CASA and the politicians ........... enough has been said already, the lawyers will work this out if there is a need. One saving grace is some of the current members of CASA who have had the gumption to reduce the R22 Main Rotor Blade hours. Thank you gentlemen - I only wish that your predecessors had the same fortitude.

Industry: Some of you have caused a lot of heartache for the good operators.

The following are some of my solutions which could be implemented now so that no one else is killed by Main Rotor Blade Failure in an R22.

CASA to immediately include an examinable section into the theory required for all pilot licences which ensures that the pilot fully understands the reasons for recording aircraft hours, cycles, hard landings, prop strikes etc - metal fatigue.

Fit an appropriate sealed "Black Box" to record the hours of operation, including date, day and time. This record of operation to be used to check the validity of Maintenance release hours.

The HAA and CASA to agree to a formula to be applied to those helicopters which are only required by their manufacturer to record Flight hours. (CASA to confirm with all manufacturers of their required procedure)

Require a print out of the "Black Box" to be made at each 100 Hr inspection and held at the operator's engineering base with the airframe log books for a period of 12 months for random CASA official inspection.

A panel of 3 persons (CASA, HAA and an independent non industry member) be immediately formed to review any claim by any operator for any individual R22 for the purpose of relief against the current CASA reduction in R22 Main Rotor Blades TSN.

The operator would be required to produce certified evidence for at least a period of 4 months preceding the CASA directive which conclusively prove that the operator had been reliably recording all R22 operating hours attributable to the Main Rotor Blades History Records.

The panel would, in commercial confidence, revue the evidence, especially looking for Main Rotor Blade past history (other than mustering), ferry time in relation to invoiced work and map distances.

There would be no compulsion for any operator to apply for this revue, the option being to accept the original CASA directive.

The panel's conclusion would be absolute. No correspondence will be entered into - the onus being on the operator to supply the correct original data.

CASA to fund this panel for a period of 6 months after which it would be disbanded.

A code of ethics be drawn up for the mustering industry, not necessarily with the HAA, and subscribers to promote this code with their clients and all dealings with media.

I now urge you, the industry, to look to the future and put the past where it belongs. Fix the problems now and you have a future. Fob it all off or drag the chain of resistance and you might as well go sit on the beach and contemplate your navel.

CASA - don't let down those who have died. Work with industry as a welcome partner and ensure that this disgraceful period of history ends now.

To the Federal Minister for Aviation - "Sir, please give CASA and industry the support it needs to take it into a safer future. If you don't, then ask yourself if any small aircraft you next fly in is safe."

Thank you to all those who have contacted me supporting this site. I intend to review progress every 3 months and comment on page eight.

Before you go, why not have a look at page eight, a collection of recent e-mail which relates to the decision making which must occur now.

Click Here for page eight to give yourself a boost in your knowledge of the ideas of others. Of interest are the Robinson Company replies.

Want to contribute either anonymously or otherwise to this story? Why not send me e-mail ! Your privacy will be respected - your information welcomed.

Safe flying