Unfavourable Flying Doctors Report

[fly_tornado]

from the couriermail

 

 

 

QUEENSLAND’S historic flying doctors service is at risk of being grounded after a damning audit report warned it was hurtling towards a “preventable incident or accident”.

 

The report found the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s safety problems were so severe that it would have already had its wings clipped under standards commonly applied by mining companies with their contracted airlines.

 

The independent audit ordered by Queensland Health and delivered this month found chronic under-investment in both aircraft and flight crew.

 

“The outcomes for a business displaying this style of corporate culture are that they are more likely to suffer from a preventable incident or accident,” the audit states.

 

It is understood the report prompted chief health officer Jeannette Young to write to RFDSQ chief Nino Di Marco warning that the service’s Queensland Health contract may be scrapped.

 

The report found RFDSQ’s planned purchase of a new Kingair B350 plane would only exacerbate the problems as management had not assigned the required additional resources.

 

“If an attempt to introduce the B350 occurred before the findings are addressed and operations are rebuilt, it would seriously overload the organisation and would further reduce the capability of the organisation to provide a safe environment,” it stated.

 

Mr Di Marco said that the service was working with Queensland Health to “review and clarify” the audit’s findings.

 

“It should be noted the audit found that flight safety had not been compromised,” he said.

 

HealthMinister Cameron Dick said while there was “no immediate risk”, the audit results were “troubling”.

 

“Ihave asked the department to address the audit issues as a matter of priority,” he said.

 

“Iwant to work with the RFDS to ensure patients and staff are safe and that the RFDS stays in the skies over Queensland.”

 

 

[ben87r]

God forbid that they look at any other company's in any detail.

 

this month found chronic under-investment in both aircraft and flight crew.

What about the clapped out 50 year old twins that are the alternative and are what are used in the other states?

 

 

[Happyflyer]

“It should be noted the audit found that flight safety had not been compromised,” he said.

 

So what is the problem?

 

"The report found the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s safety problems were so severe that it would have already had its wings clipped under standards commonly applied by mining companies with their contracted airlines."

 

 

The mining companies are run by fat bloated OH&S departments desperate to justify their existence. Their requirements far exceed legal requirements. Just as an example the PC12 and King Air RFDS aircraft are designed to operate with one crew. If you want a contract to fly into a mining strip they stipulate two pilots for the same aircraft. Mining companies used to be able to afford this excess, some may have to rethink this now.

 

 

[GAFA]

Sounds like the audit was carried out by applying BARS (used by charter/airlines to satisfy mining companies). I've been through a BARS audit and it was the most useless audit I'd ever been through.

 

 

[dazza 38]

“It should be noted the audit found that flight safety had not been compromised,” he said.So what is the problem?

 

"The report found the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s safety problems were so severe that it would have already had its wings clipped under standards commonly applied by mining companies with their contracted airlines."

 

 

The mining companies are run by fat bloated OH&S departments desperate to justify their existence. Their requirements far exceed legal requirements. Just as an example the PC12 and King Air RFDS aircraft are designed to operate with one crew. If you want a contract to fly into a mining strip they stipulate two pilots for the same aircraft. Mining companies used to be able to afford this excess, some may have to rethink this now.

Not exactly true, some companies have gone from spending big during the construction phase (CSG) to now running lean at minimal cost to maximise profits.

 

 

[Pearo]

So anything we can do to help? I am light on work at the moment, was going to go down to the hanger at YBBN and offer to help in anyway I could, even cleaning planes for them. Maybe I can redirect my focus somehow?