WA flying school treated fairly
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it is treating a major West Australian flying school fairly and properly.CASA denies claims that it has grounded the China Southern Western Australian Flying College at Merredin, east of Perth.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the China Southern Flying School cannot currently fly its aircraft because there is no approved Chief Pilot.
Mr Toller says China Southern's Chief Pilot suddenly left the organisation with no immediate arrangements for a replacement.
He also strongly rejected claims by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) that CASA was being high-handed and reckless in its treatment of China Southern.
"AOPA claims that safety is not a factor in the actions being taken in relation to China Southern," Mr Toller says.
"That's simply wrong. There have been safety concerns about the way China Southern has been operating and CASA will not be rushed into any decision making.
"CASA must be satisfied that procedures are in place to prevent a recurrence of irregularities in China Southern's operations and record keeping.
"In fact, AOPA itself recently admitted China Southern had safety problems that should be addressed."
Mr Toller says it must be understood that CASA did not ground China Southern.
He says the College lost the services of its Chief Pilot and that meant it lost the right to continue flying.
"The position of Chief Pilot in any air organisation is a vital one and CASA is very careful to approve the right person.
"For China Southern this includes an assessment of the processes and procedures that the College proposes to put in place to ensure irregularities do not occur again.
"CASA officials are working as quickly as possible on China Southern's application for a new Chief Pilot.
"But we quite properly give priority to the safety requirements of airlines carrying fare paying passengers rather than commercial flying schools.
"What CASA is doing is making sure all of China Southern's activities are carried out with care and diligence so the flying school's students and the public are being protected by the highest possible levels of safety."
8 March 1999
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