ICARUS

[Dave Homewood]

Just days after I mentioned the old Icarus reporting system on this board I saw tonight it being discussed on TV3 news, and it's instigator Ross Ewing was interviewed about it';s great value, and the fact it was chopped by the lack of funding.

This report was about a new survey which has found only 6% of pilots found in the preliminary results of the study actually always report safety breaches and abnormal incidents to the proper authorities.

If this is correct, it's just f___ing appaulling. What on earth is the aviation industry doing in their training of pilots if they are so stupid they do not report safety issues?

Over the years I have heard so many stories from various insiders about airlines, particularly smaller ones, plus operators and maintenance facilities, and even manufacturewrs in this country, who's practises are dubious through to downright criminal. Yet when an accident occurs that is pinned down to negligence of safety or maintenance, as often occurs, CAA seems surprised.

How many incidents, how many deaths and serious injuries, could be prevented by an anonymous and thorough reporting system which Icarus was, and also through regular and thorough audits of maintenance and operating procedures of all commercial operators? Isn't CAA meant to keep people safe?

Bring back Icarus now. Surely pilots could contribute a small annual levy towards costs of running such a scheme that will keep them and others safe? In fact the taxes paid on avgas should go towards it! Otherwise, how will you know whether the plane you're flying or flying in has been properly maintained? You cannot take it for granted, there are two many people cutting corners and fiddling books it seems.

[Peter Lewis]

Won't happen - too many sacred cows to be kept alive.
I personally know of one hazard - one person. I have had an unofficial grumble about this situation "We are aware of the problem, but he's going to stay". If I complain officially, either he goes or I go - and I know which of us, in this situation, would go. So the problem will continue to exist.

[Bruce]

I'm not sure whether the ICARUS system would actually take the cowboys out of the system. It was very useful, but as I recall (and I could be wrong) in order to work, a system of "de-identifying" was put in place so that the reports could not be traced to any source, and the results were disseminated to the general aviation population to make them aware of hazards. It didnt work as a confidential "dob them in" system, and the reports never went to CAA with anything identifying a specific operator at fault. As a result nothing from Icarus could be used in any investigations - people wishing to report bad practices would still have to use the official CAA system. Icarus acted as a knowledge base, in a similar manner to the way vector (the CAA magazine) works now, making people aware of bad practices and making them aware of how slip ups occur. It was good, but I think that some operators dont get the "carrot" educational approach and need the "stick" enforcement. Yes bring Icarus back - but give it some teeth to take out the cowboys that are ruining a great industry.
It is also about time that all of us in the industry took up our responsibilities and actually started reporting some of this stuff - its pretty pointless mentioning it to an accident investigator after the event........

[corsair67]

ICARUS certainly should be brought back, and as Bruce said back it up with a large set of teeth (or a stick!) to really get the dodgy operators out of the industry.

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority have recently been stung in a number of accidents here where information has come to light after the incident that the local CASA Safety inspector knew of issues with the operator at fault, but didn't act in time, or do anything at all, because they'd built up a friendship with the operator and didn't want to cause them any trouble. As a result, the CEO of CASA has introduced a "flying squad" who will randomly and unannoucedly travel around the country to check on operators and local Safety Officers and see that all is above board and working as it should be.

[Dave Homewood]

The flying squad idea is a good one I think.

Is it law that incidents and accidnets must be reported? If so, why are so few reports going into the system? If not, why not?

[Bruce]

yes it is the law to report certain incidents and accidents, however as CAA are perceived as enforcers out to nab "evildoers" many in the industry see it as not in thier best interests to report such things. I'm surprised at the number of people in the industry with that attitude. Amongst Sport Pilots, a lot stems from CAAs pilot medical policy which grounds fit, active older pilots or buries them under mountains of beucratic paperwork. The reasoning is "they arent wanting to help us, why should we help them" . I can empathise with this and it is understandable, but the perception of CAA as a big mean ogre out to beat up the little guy whilst letting the big guys go is not really justified. I know a lot of guys at the CAA front line who are diligent and set high standards, but are also approachable, knowlegeable and very helpful. I guess the difficulty arises because the regulatory, safety and enforcement roles of CAA intermingle and people arent sure when they report things which of the three functions is going to get involved.
No simple answers I'm afraid...

[corsair67]

I love the cartoons of Garrick Tremain, and this one from The Christchurch Press says it all. ;D