|
|||
PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok
It might be real soon...
Post Courier
Wednesday 30th May , 2007
Lack of crew cause of flight woes – sources
THE recent cancellation of Air Niugini flights causing a backlog of passengers was due to a shortage of air crew and not engineering problems, airline sources said yesterday.
The sources said Air Niugini had planes sitting on the tarmac ready to fly, but the airline did not have the crew members to fly these planes.
This caused the problem of scheduled flights being cancelled. Under strict regulation, air crew have a set number of hours to fly in a day. They cannot work over those hours.
According to the sources, most of the airline’s pilots have been trained to fly the newer F100 aircraft and cannot fly the ageing F28s aircraft. Likewise, F28 pilots cannot fly F100 aircraft or the Dash 8s.
He said two planes were unserviceable at the weekend – an F100 (P2 ANF) with mechanical problems and a Dash 8 aircraft after it was hit by lightning while in the air.
“Yes, we had two planes down, but we have F28 planes sitting on the tarmac. There is no one to fly them. It is not a case of engineering problem. It’s a case of operations getting their act together,’’ the source said.
He said there were two to three aircraft sitting at the airport outside the international airport everyday ready to fly after they were serviced, but there was no air crew for them.
“For example, ask them why one of the Dash 8 aircraft, P2 ANM, a 300 series, hardly flies? Is it because of an engineering problem or crewing problem,’’ the source said. The source said the airline faced crewing problems for both its F28 and Dash 8 aircraft.
Air Niugini has two types of Dash 8 aircraft, the Dash 8 200 series and Dash 8 300 series. Dash 8 pilots can fly only one or the other, just like F28 and F100 pilots, but not both. Reacting to Air Niugini operations general manager, Captain Daniel Wanma’s explanation yesterday that cancellation of flights which have become a daily occurrence with Air Niugini was due to engineering problem, the source said this was not true.
It is “a slur on the (airline’s) engineering department’’ which ensured high safety standards of the airline’s operating aircraft, the source said, adding the engineering department also ensured there were serviceable planes available everyday.
“We have a crewing problem, not an engineering problem. Operations has to sort this issue out,’’ the source said.
Post Courier
Wednesday 30th May , 2007
Lack of crew cause of flight woes – sources
THE recent cancellation of Air Niugini flights causing a backlog of passengers was due to a shortage of air crew and not engineering problems, airline sources said yesterday.
The sources said Air Niugini had planes sitting on the tarmac ready to fly, but the airline did not have the crew members to fly these planes.
This caused the problem of scheduled flights being cancelled. Under strict regulation, air crew have a set number of hours to fly in a day. They cannot work over those hours.
According to the sources, most of the airline’s pilots have been trained to fly the newer F100 aircraft and cannot fly the ageing F28s aircraft. Likewise, F28 pilots cannot fly F100 aircraft or the Dash 8s.
He said two planes were unserviceable at the weekend – an F100 (P2 ANF) with mechanical problems and a Dash 8 aircraft after it was hit by lightning while in the air.
“Yes, we had two planes down, but we have F28 planes sitting on the tarmac. There is no one to fly them. It is not a case of engineering problem. It’s a case of operations getting their act together,’’ the source said.
He said there were two to three aircraft sitting at the airport outside the international airport everyday ready to fly after they were serviced, but there was no air crew for them.
“For example, ask them why one of the Dash 8 aircraft, P2 ANM, a 300 series, hardly flies? Is it because of an engineering problem or crewing problem,’’ the source said. The source said the airline faced crewing problems for both its F28 and Dash 8 aircraft.
Air Niugini has two types of Dash 8 aircraft, the Dash 8 200 series and Dash 8 300 series. Dash 8 pilots can fly only one or the other, just like F28 and F100 pilots, but not both. Reacting to Air Niugini operations general manager, Captain Daniel Wanma’s explanation yesterday that cancellation of flights which have become a daily occurrence with Air Niugini was due to engineering problem, the source said this was not true.
It is “a slur on the (airline’s) engineering department’’ which ensured high safety standards of the airline’s operating aircraft, the source said, adding the engineering department also ensured there were serviceable planes available everyday.
“We have a crewing problem, not an engineering problem. Operations has to sort this issue out,’’ the source said.
Retired Tiger pilot
![](http://www.allfreeclipart.com/smiley/smile4.gif)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Club Morocco. Subic Bay. Philippines
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dash 8 -200-300
If the 200-300 are on the same type-rating, what is the problem or is it a genuine shortage of aircrew?
One section blaming the other so maybe it is time for a CAA audit.
One section blaming the other so maybe it is time for a CAA audit.
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies2/icon_rolleyes.gif)
More of a crewing problem with the Dash 8s,ie not enough pilots. All type rated pilots can fly both types if they have done the additional time on the 300,about 9 hours and a handfull of sectors I believe. CAA have also put more constraints on PX in regard to using the cadets on line,ie they now have to do some stupid amount of flying (Couple of hundred hours I believe) with a support FO in the jump seat
This is also compounding the problem.
As for PX engineering
![Confused](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/confused.gif)
As for PX engineering
![Confused](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Queensland
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Air Nogot Pelot!!
Yeah well, 10 F-28 pilots to crew three aircraft was never gonna work if you were trying to prop up the F100 & DHC 8 flying block.Original plan of management was to retire the ol' girls but they dont have enough serviceable aircraft or trained crews.Middle management were told of this impending cluster last year but was largely ignored.
Flight West Airlines
Today, June 1, 2007 marks the 20th Anniversary of the founding and first flight of Flight West Airlines on June 1, 1987, when the 6.30 am King Air flight departed Brisbane for Longreach.
Thanks again to those great people twenty years ago that made it all possible.
Sad that nothing remain's of Junior's empire.
Thanks again to those great people twenty years ago that made it all possible.
Sad that nothing remain's of Junior's empire.
Retired Tiger pilot
![](http://www.allfreeclipart.com/smiley/smile4.gif)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Club Morocco. Subic Bay. Philippines
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
maybe the shortage of aircrew will worsen?
Airline crew face smuggling charge (P.C: 1 June 2007)
AN Air Niugini aircraft crew is under investigation for attempting to smuggle goods into the country worth over K12,000.
The two pilots and an aircraft engineer (named) did not personally declare the items or highlight them on the aircraft’s cargo manifest when they flew a new Fokker 100 aircraft into Jacksons International Airport from Malaysia, early last month.
The goods, which included 32-inch television screens, computer keyboards and other electronic items, were packed into seven cartons and discovered by PNG Customs officials after they searched the aircraft. Customs seized the goods, roughly valued at about 15,950 Malaysian Ringgit (K12,785.57), and would make a decision on them after the completion of formal investigations.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri confirmed the incident when contacted by the Post-Courier.
“Custom laws must be followed by all. I have discussed the matter with the customs commissioner and PX (Air Niugini) will support the inquiry. If they (are) found to be wrong under the law, customs will take legal actions against the individuals,” he said.
When asked if the airline will take disciplinary action against the aircraft crew, Mr Kumarasiri said their security department was currently reviewing the case and would act on the review’s recommendations.
Aviation industry workers based at the Jacksons International Airport say it is not the first time Air Niugini officials have breached customs laws, while highlighting that the Fokker 100 crew gave invoices of the seized goods only after the items were discovered and seized.
But Mr Kumarasiri said he was not aware of previous cases of his officers flouting the law.
“I am unaware of any previous incidents,” he said.
“However, if you go to the airport, everyday customs find some one breaking the law and they take actions as they see fit.”
Airline crew face smuggling charge (P.C: 1 June 2007)
AN Air Niugini aircraft crew is under investigation for attempting to smuggle goods into the country worth over K12,000.
The two pilots and an aircraft engineer (named) did not personally declare the items or highlight them on the aircraft’s cargo manifest when they flew a new Fokker 100 aircraft into Jacksons International Airport from Malaysia, early last month.
The goods, which included 32-inch television screens, computer keyboards and other electronic items, were packed into seven cartons and discovered by PNG Customs officials after they searched the aircraft. Customs seized the goods, roughly valued at about 15,950 Malaysian Ringgit (K12,785.57), and would make a decision on them after the completion of formal investigations.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri confirmed the incident when contacted by the Post-Courier.
“Custom laws must be followed by all. I have discussed the matter with the customs commissioner and PX (Air Niugini) will support the inquiry. If they (are) found to be wrong under the law, customs will take legal actions against the individuals,” he said.
When asked if the airline will take disciplinary action against the aircraft crew, Mr Kumarasiri said their security department was currently reviewing the case and would act on the review’s recommendations.
Aviation industry workers based at the Jacksons International Airport say it is not the first time Air Niugini officials have breached customs laws, while highlighting that the Fokker 100 crew gave invoices of the seized goods only after the items were discovered and seized.
But Mr Kumarasiri said he was not aware of previous cases of his officers flouting the law.
“I am unaware of any previous incidents,” he said.
“However, if you go to the airport, everyday customs find some one breaking the law and they take actions as they see fit.”
![Hmmm](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/yeees.gif)
Silly Old Git
Please be advised that Air Niugini will be running two return back to back special flights RAB CNS RAB as an initiative to promote tourism in Papua New Guinea mainly the New Guinea Islands. Regular flights will be introduced from April through to October should results of these flights prove viable. The details are as follows and the schedule is subject to slot approvals from CNS Airport authorities.
DAYS OF OPERATIONS:
* Mondays - PX4094 1440 - RAB CNS 1705
* Tuesdays PX4095 0700 - CNS RAB 0925
*From PNGBD website*
DAYS OF OPERATIONS:
* Mondays - PX4094 1440 - RAB CNS 1705
* Tuesdays PX4095 0700 - CNS RAB 0925
*From PNGBD website*
Silly Old Git
Had a nostalgic twinge this morning
Had been uptown early in my car and returning home noticed a longrasser stop an peer in my gate
He started to move in the driveway when i realised he was a PNG !
I wound down the window and bellowed "FARKIN WANEM ? !!
He took off like a startled bush rat
Had been uptown early in my car and returning home noticed a longrasser stop an peer in my gate
He started to move in the driveway when i realised he was a PNG !
I wound down the window and bellowed "FARKIN WANEM ? !!
He took off like a startled bush rat
![Bad teeth](https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/badteeth.gif)