No life rafts over the Tasman - Another cost reduction measure?
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No life rafts over the Tasman - Another cost reduction measure?
Not sure if this is correct or not, but understand that to save (or make) money, major RPT operators have received dispensation from CASA against carrying life rafts on flights to New Zealand and Bali. Chances are passengers are not aware of that unless they ask the flight attendants.
Presumably, in deciding to grant the dispensation to airline operators, the Civil Aviation "Safety" Authority considers the emergency evacuation slides and passenger seat cushions are a reliable flotation devices and therefore a sufficient safety factor in event of a ditching in the Indian Ocean or Tasman. The only proviso is the aircraft must fly within 400 miles of land while flying to these destinations.
So a passenger jet reports an uncontrollable cabin fire and the crew have no choice except to ditch in the ocean before they risk becoming incapacitated by smoke and fire.
Two hundred or more injured passengers, including babies and small children clinging to seat cushions awaiting rescue from passing cargo ships that could be 24 hours sailing time away. And the circling sharks scenting a gigantic feed. A terrible scenario. But no problem say the airlines and CASA - it is a statistically insignificant one in ten million event. Like the Air France A330 lost over the South Atlantic - a mere abberation. After all, carrying life rafts costs revenue and that is not good for the bottom line. And all because of cost-cutting approved by the regulator. Surely there is a moral issue at stake here?
Presumably, in deciding to grant the dispensation to airline operators, the Civil Aviation "Safety" Authority considers the emergency evacuation slides and passenger seat cushions are a reliable flotation devices and therefore a sufficient safety factor in event of a ditching in the Indian Ocean or Tasman. The only proviso is the aircraft must fly within 400 miles of land while flying to these destinations.
So a passenger jet reports an uncontrollable cabin fire and the crew have no choice except to ditch in the ocean before they risk becoming incapacitated by smoke and fire.
Two hundred or more injured passengers, including babies and small children clinging to seat cushions awaiting rescue from passing cargo ships that could be 24 hours sailing time away. And the circling sharks scenting a gigantic feed. A terrible scenario. But no problem say the airlines and CASA - it is a statistically insignificant one in ten million event. Like the Air France A330 lost over the South Atlantic - a mere abberation. After all, carrying life rafts costs revenue and that is not good for the bottom line. And all because of cost-cutting approved by the regulator. Surely there is a moral issue at stake here?
Last edited by Tee Emm; 2nd Jun 2010 at 12:38.
within raft dropping distance of the rescue aircraft
In heavy seas?
Just where are these rescue aircraft orbiting in readiness for a disaster?
How long can passengers tread water?
If true, this proposal is lunacy.
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The regulations did not require Sully's Airbus to carry liferafts, as it was an overland flight. Apart from the factors mentioned above, in the Tasman Sea, even in summer, without a liferaft hypothermia would soon set in.
What is the difference in cost and weight between escape slides and liferafts? Only a heartless beancounter could think of that, and I cannot believe that the regulators would countenance such dangerous nonsense.
What is the difference in cost and weight between escape slides and liferafts? Only a heartless beancounter could think of that, and I cannot believe that the regulators would countenance such dangerous nonsense.
Tee Emm
What type of aircraft are you referring? I can’t speak for all jet aircraft types but on the A330/340, the emergency evacuation slides on type “A” doors are the life rafts, 6 in total with rations, first aid, water collection/making, shelter, repair kits etc. They are designed for this role from the ground up including being easily releasable from the aircraft doors once the evacuation is complete.
What type of aircraft are you referring? I can’t speak for all jet aircraft types but on the A330/340, the emergency evacuation slides on type “A” doors are the life rafts, 6 in total with rations, first aid, water collection/making, shelter, repair kits etc. They are designed for this role from the ground up including being easily releasable from the aircraft doors once the evacuation is complete.
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The only proviso is the aircraft must fly within 400 miles of land while flying to these destinations.
Laughable to suggest that anyone ditching in the Tasman or Great Australian Bight without a raft will survive until found. Especially this time of year. CASA's own CAAP on ditching suggests you have about an hour in 15 deg C water.
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Tee Emm
Please check your source. I cannot find any reference to this in the Oz press.
404 Titan
There are some types, eg regional jets, that don't even have escape slides, because the fuselage is close to the ground and allows easy egress. However, a low door sill would also allow fast ingress of water in the event of a ditching. To have to deploy an internally carried liferaft.....
Please check your source. I cannot find any reference to this in the Oz press.
404 Titan
There are some types, eg regional jets, that don't even have escape slides, because the fuselage is close to the ground and allows easy egress. However, a low door sill would also allow fast ingress of water in the event of a ditching. To have to deploy an internally carried liferaft.....
The CASA exemption is 400 miles from LAND and you will find on most routes with the existence of Lord Howe and Norfolk island there is no requirement to carry them.Don't tell the passengers though!!
Jabawocky .... where is your phrase?
If this is indeed true ...
I can just visualise the "Air Crash Investigation"episode now. And I can visualise the re-write of the regs shortly thereafter.
CASA is relying on this likelihood being .... vanishingly small
CASA, why put yourself through this? Just say ... no, now!
If this is indeed true ...
I can just visualise the "Air Crash Investigation"episode now. And I can visualise the re-write of the regs shortly thereafter.
CASA is relying on this likelihood being .... vanishingly small
CASA, why put yourself through this? Just say ... no, now!
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Its actually Owens....ssshhhh
don't tell anyone I borrowed it for a while
As someone who runs a much smaller business, the costs of large expenses would be a bigger deal to me than say an airline, and I would ot consider such a stratergy worth thinking about. So what are they on about
don't tell anyone I borrowed it for a whileAs someone who runs a much smaller business, the costs of large expenses would be a bigger deal to me than say an airline, and I would ot consider such a stratergy worth thinking about. So what are they on about
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What type of aircraft are you referring?
VH-XXX
Last time I went to Lord Howe Island was 2005 on an Easterns Dash8. A couple of rows of seats were removed near the emergency exit if I recall and the thing was strapped to the floor.
Tee Emm
Someone on the B737 will correct me if I'm wrong but I would have thought the emergency evacuation slides are the life rafts.
Last time I went to Lord Howe Island was 2005 on an Easterns Dash8. A couple of rows of seats were removed near the emergency exit if I recall and the thing was strapped to the floor.
Tee Emm
Someone on the B737 will correct me if I'm wrong but I would have thought the emergency evacuation slides are the life rafts.
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Someone on the B737 will correct me if I'm wrong but I would have thought the emergency evacuation slides are the life rafts.
Usually stored in overhead lockers on the Classics and in ceiling bins above the aisle in the NG's.
Don't you listen to the safety briefings or read the briefing card? Oh well, you're not much different to most passengers in that case.