Thailand admits 'urgent' need to improve aviation safety

[bushpilot]

The three most important points , in the view of private pilots, changes necessary for Aviation Tourism in Thailand for progress.

• The truth is there is no one set of three changes that will achieve anything close to your goals.

The minimum would be somewhere between five and seven.

Here in order of perceived importance, are the issues:-

1. Permit for Private Aircraft Using (The “5 Year Permit”)

2. Restrictions on Registration, Ownership and Usage of Aircraft

3. Administration of Pilot and Student Pilot Licensing and Validation

4. Limitation of landing sites to approved airfields

5. Blame Culture vs Safety Culture

The desired remedies are:-

1. Permit for Private Aircraft Using (The “5 Year Permit”)

◦ Scrap this and all associated legislation and regulation.

2. Restrictions on Registration, Ownership and Usage of Aircraft

◦ allow foreign ownership of aircraft

◦ allow foreign registered aircraft to operate freely

◦ allow private ownership of helicopters and amphibians

◦ allow, encourage and facilitate appropriate training in all classes of aircraft

◦ allow rental of private and uncertified aircraft

3. Administration of Pilot and Student Pilot Licensing and Validation

◦ simplify and speed up security checks on pilots and potential pilots

◦ Speed up the validation and issue process for foreign licenses

◦ speed up the issue of student pilot licenses

◦ speed up the issue of full pilot licenses

◦ Issue temporary license immediately on passing exams and flight test

◦ Credit all flying time against training requirements

◦ simplify conversion from foreign to Thai licence, with full credit for experience

◦ allow foreign licence holders to obtain and exercise instructor status

◦ allow suitably qualified pilots to perform air experience, coaching, etc.

◦ appoint PILOTS to run pilot licensing!

4. Limitation of landing sites to approved airfields

◦ allow landing anywhere, on land or water:

▪ with the landowners permission

▪ in accordance with internantionally accepted safety procedures

▪ in compliance with the priviliges of the pilots licence and ratings

▪ or at the pilots discretion in an emergency

5. Blame Culture vs Safety Culture

• cease to regard every reportable incident as a crime

• seek to establish truth and inform for safety

• avoid assignment of blame unless an actual crime has been committed

• allow pilots to accept full responsibility for their own actions

• do not punish FBOs and their customers for the actions of one pilot

[kannot]

"At a press conference Monday junta chief and premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters he would use Section 44 of the interim constitution -- imposed after he seized power from an elected government last May and which gives him absolute powers over legislative, executive and judicial decisions -- to expedite safety improvements."

My memory is failing me but I seem to recall a member stating that Section 44 would NEVER be invoked.

If Section 44 is being called into play for this, what's next?

Wide open game with unlimited power.... Maybe seize assets of pesky farangs ?? :-)

Nationalize foreign companies ? I am surprised that Prayut has not threatened to execute

the reporter who broke this story....Maybe he finally hired a public relations aide..

But back to topic, Thailand has done nothing on

this issue for 10 years when it was warned in 2005. So I suspect with the common

concept of past behavior predicting future behavior, not a whole lot will be done on

this either. There are some fundamental culture issues at work here that will not make

it easy to solve with a wave of the hand and a press statement. I suppose as

Thai carriers are in essence banned, foreign carriers will pick up the slack.

I look forward to the bizarre TAT statement somehow spinning this into higher

tourist numbers...... :-)

Thousands of foreign aviation experts flood to Thailand to re educate themselves in Thai Aviation safety?

[kannot]

Transport Min sets up 2 panels to fix aviation glitches in 6-8 months

BANGKOK, 31 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Transport has decided to establish two committees to solve problems in the Department of Civil Aviation and to handle impacts from the international aviation regulator’s concerns over Thailand’s safety standards.

Following the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s voicing of concerns over the safety standards of the Thai aviation industry based on its previous examinations, Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong stated that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has designated the matter as a national issue. He pointed out that appropriate actions need to be taken in a timely manner otherwise the nation’s economy and tourism could be damaged.

Therefore, the Transport Ministry has resolved to set up two working committees, one of which is to oversee the tackling of the problem at its root cause, particularly the restructuring of the Department of Civil Aviation, employment of more qualified specialists, increasing of budgets and amendment of laws. Chaired by Minister Prajin, the committee will convene on a weekly basis to follow up on the progress made and will submit a report to the ICAO every two weeks.

The other committee will be responsible for mitigating the effects of the ICAO’s downgrade of Thailand’s safety rating. It will coordinate with all sectors in creating an understanding with the international community concerning Thailand’s commitment to improving its air safety standards.

The setting up of the two committees is due to be proposed to the Prime Minister for approval within 45-60 days. The Ministry of Transport has expressed confidence that the issue surrounding aviation safety will be resolved within 6-8 months.

The ICAO’s safety concerns have prompted Japan as well as China and South Korea to issue a ban on all charter flights from Thailand. Last week, the Transport Ministry already dispatched officials to clarify the situation to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. More clarifications are to be made to other countries, including China, South Korea, Australia and Germany.

-- NNT 2015-03-31

45 to 60 days just to seek approval from the PM. Presumably no corrective actions begin before this. Resolution within another 4 to 6 months. Does anyone really believe this crap? Meanwhile choose your airline wisely, but who is turning these aircraft around at Thai airports?

m-i-c-k-e-y-....-m-o-u-s-e......... dont forget to sing it