Verdict on Gardua Captain due today

[Stephen B]

Please see post # 25.

[Greg McDonald]

From NEWS.COM.AU today:

Indonesia airlines must grow or be shut down


INDONESIA will require passenger airlines to fly at least 10 planes by 2012 or be shut down under new rules to improve safety and service, a transportation ministry official said.
Under the new rules, at least five of the 10 planes must be wholly owned, the official said.

”By 2012, all airlines must fully own at least five planes and lease the rest. If not, they will have to shut down or merge with other airlines to meet the quota,” ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said.

”We want airlines to be financially sound and committed to giving the best in terms of service and safety,” Ervan said.

Indonesian airlines are currently required to operate a minimum of five planes, of which at least two must be wholly owned, he said.

More than half of the country's 50 commercial and charter airlines own fewer than five planes.

Indonesia, an archipelago nation that relies heavily on air links, has one of Asia's worst air safety records.

The European Union banned all Indonesian-registered aircraft from flying over its airspace in 2007, acting on a report from the International Civil Aviation Organization, which criticised the country's safety standards.

I wonder if this is a good or bad thing??

[Michael Mak]

Originally Posted by Greg McDonald

From NEWS.COM.AU today:



I wonder if this is a good or bad thing??

Not sure how it will improve safety??

[NickN]

Well to have a minimum of 10 and wholly own 5 it seems they believe the airline should be technically financially sound being on that position and less inclined to allow maintenance/training to fall by the wayside because of funding shortages. There is no guarantee that this will work in any way, but you would like to think it would. Tougher enforcement of training programs and maintenance schedules would also help of course. But as has been discussed, the whole country and its systems must want to change, and be committed to ensuring that change happens. The only place that can start is with the attitudes of everyone involved.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Michael Mak

Not sure how it will improve safety??

I suppose the argument is to remove the inefficient operator's...but I fail to see how that really improves safety when some of them will have the cash flow to buy more planes to cover the requirements, and fail to keep up on maintenance and upkeep because of higher operating expenses...

[Montague S]

seems the good folk at CH7 have secured an interview with the pilot of this flight...can't wait to see how its edited!

[Greg McDonald]

But wait....there's more....

INDONESIAN pilots are threatening to strike in protest at a court's decision to jail a Garuda captain for negligence over a crash that killed 21 people, including five Australians.
Marwoto Komar's Boeing 737 slammed onto the runway at Yogyakarta airport, careered into a field and burst into flames on March 7, 2007.

After a lengthy trial, Komar was found guilty this month of criminal negligence and sentenced to two years in prison.

Stephanus Gerrardus, chief of the Garuda Pilots' Association, said Komar's trial was "a mess" and it had set a dangerous precedent of criminalising pilots.

"Our main concern is this decision could actually disturb aviation safety," he said.

"Imagine how hard it would be for a pilot to perform his duty when he's burdened with something like this.

"It makes pilots doubtful, and could lead to mistakes.

"If we don't get any attention on this, no correction on this, we will not hesitate to strike."

Komar's lawyer, Mohammad Assegaf, said he still intends to appeal the verdict.


"We just got the copy of the judge's decision a few days ago," he said.

"So, we are going to study it first before we arrange the draft for (the appeal).

"We've formed a team to do this."

Manotar Napitupulu, president of the Indonesian Pilots Federation, said pilots would wait to see the outcome of the appeal before striking.

"Hopefully, the decision will be something better," he said.

"But if it's the same or worse, then let's see."

My opinion (FWIW) is that they'd be doing us all a favour if they go on strike.....at least then they wouldn't be flying!!

[Rhys Xanthis]

LOL!!

Sad but true

[Dan Hammond]

HAHA agreed Rhys!

[Matt_L]

Stephanus Gerrardus, chief of the Garuda Pilots' Association, said Komar's trial was "a mess" and it had set a dangerous precedent of criminalising pilots.

"Our main concern is this decision could actually disturb aviation safety," he said.

"Imagine how hard it would be for a pilot to perform his duty when he's burdened with something like this.

"It makes pilots doubtful, and could lead to mistakes.

"If we don't get any attention on this, no correction on this, we will not hesitate to strike."

Is it just me or are these people absolutely insane in the head. I cant actually fathom how you can run an airline/be a part of one and act in this mindset. I see student pilots out of Bankstown who probably have a better sense of safety through their training then this man and the majority of his pilots flying for Garuda.

Theyve been banned in the EU and the USA amongst other places and I simply dont understand why it doesnt extend to Australia. It really is an accident waiting to happen, as Geoff Thomas (esteemed aviation journalist for over 20 years said in an interview on Sunday Nights Channel 7 2 weeks ago)