Tauranga airline Sunair will be returning to the skies after the Civil Aviation Authority reissued their air operator certificate. Last Friday SunLive reported the airline had been grounded for 10 days following a complaint. We can now report the complaint came from CAA itself. Sunair co-owner Dan Power says during a routine audit, the CAA became concerned the company's senior team was too small for the size of the business. “They had concerns around our management structure as not being adequate for the size and complexity of the business. I addressed that, and they're accepting of the fix.” He says it was not difficult to get the certificate reissued, although roughly thirty flights had to be cancelled during the period the airline was grounded. “Hopefully the week's suspension hasn't affected our customer base to any extent. “We provide essential services to remote areas, which no one else does. So it has had an effect on the travelling public in those areas.” Dan emphasises there were no other issues for the CAA regarding Sunair. “It needs to be made clear there were no concerns from the regulator about the proficiency of our flight crew or the air-worthiness of the aeroplanes. There weren't aeroplanes flying around prior to the shutdown that were not up to standard.” He says the company is now looking forward to returning to normal service. “The future is bright; we're busier than ever.”
Source : http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/142852-sunair-flying-again.html
As a pilot that has flown for a few GA operators in NZ and Australia, I would certainly prefer my management structure to be large enough for individuals not associated with the business's economics to have an opinion. I have personally stopped a CEO from allowing a non-airworthy aircraft (due to safety concerns) to be put on the flight line and used for ops. If the owners run the business, dodgy stuff can go on with no one to stop it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very general and insulting comment. Good that you have personally stopped a (supposedly) non-airworthy aircraft from being flown. But just keep in mind that operators like this are the ones that gave you the opportunity to pursue your dreams and career. Rather than criticizing the ones actually doing it, you always have the option of starting your own operation!!
ReplyDeleteNo, what is insulting is spending all that time, effort and not to mention money becoming qualified to pursue your dream only to end up at the mercy of a small time owner/operator and ending up flying in a fleet with aircraft that are non-A.D. Compliant on the line and pressured into fairly shoddy weather conditions, recieving no support when concerns are raised and being pressured to get the job done.
DeleteTHAT is insulting.
It is not some kind of privelage to fly for these outfits, it is necessity for these operators to have pilots. Just like without aircraft there is no airline, without pilots there is also no airline.
To use and abuse pilots because they're being given "a chance" to pursue their dreams is DISGUSTING and a complete abuse of the privelage of holding an operating certificate.
That certificate is not a right it is a ncessary privelage based on an intent to honour a duty of care toward paying passengers and the staff that must do the job that brings in the cashflow.
If you can't do it without cutting out necessary corners to save money then the market your attempting isn't big enough and you've got no business belittling fresh pilots into uncomfortable scenarios.
PERIOD.
+1 I have to agree.... well said indeed :)
Delete+1 well said. It's not even a cocky 'I'm a pilot' thing. It's a right to fly quality aircraft. And it's such a silly attitude to take of the anonymous above - "start your own airline". Just my two cents.
DeleteAnd I have never worked for Sunair to clarify things. I'm not making an attack at the owners. I just made the statement that haven't an external member in a management team has positive outcomes. Not an overly offensive statement IMHO.
Delete+1 I also agree. One of the main things that attracts me as a youngster to aspire to be a pilot (my dream) is the freedom involved. That feeling of being above the clouds in a quality, safe aircraft not working a 9-5 office job is extremely appealling. That's the dream. Not being used or forced into unconfortable situations.
DeleteOh it really is a very insulting and generalised comment directed toward all small operators ie the bread and butter of the industry and the ones who hire low time pilots
Delete"I would certainly prefer my management structure to be large enough for individuals not associated with the business's economics to have an opinion" Good for you!
"If the owners run the business, dodgy stuff can go on with no one to stop it" Spoken from the lofty heights of self entitlement!:-)
Ah... no. Air NZ and the like of Air Chats, Jetstar are the bread and butter. These GA operators are periphery and fill small niches in the market. Hardly a mainstay or irreplaceable section of the industry. Many a pilot did not have to work for these outfits to move on up. There are many roads that lead to better jobs.
DeleteFeel free to add ....... how you get into air NZ, Jetstar and air chats without any experience from these small twin or turbine operators..... I would greatly appreciate the sdvice
Delete"Oh it really is a very insulting and generalised comment directed toward all small operators ie the bread and butter of the industry and the ones who hire low time pilots"
ReplyDeleteSorry, but in my experience, it's the absolute truth.
Do the minimum time in GA to get what you need, then get out before you get burnt.
Haha! I would think GA is all the better for your absence!! Someone needs to keep that comfy SO seat warm :-)
ReplyDelete