In 2010 the GFA issued an Operations Advice Notice which included the following: Each pilot must accept it is their responsibility to operate a sailplane within its certified limitations and the operation of a sailplane with a cockpit load in excess of the certified limit is not sanctioned by GFA. It is entirely the responsibility of the person acting as the pilot in command of a flight to ensure compliance with the certified maximum cockpit load requirement. GFA understands that an increasing number of pilots are experiencing difficulty meeting the maximum cockpit load requirement of sailplanes. Pilots in this situation are encouraged to seek gliders which accommodate their needs within their placard limits or to seek advice from the manufacturers or suitably qualified engineers about possible engineering solutions. The contest rules provide for penalties for operation of a glider outside of its certified limits: Dangerous or hazardous flying including flying outside the glider’s Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly – minimum penalty 100 points – maximum penalty loss of all points for the day So not only is it not lawful to fly with an overweight cockpit load it is against the GFA rules and the contest rules. This is a GFA issue primarily and it is not a CASA issue except if CASA decides that the GFA is knowing allowing aircraft to be flown outside its certified limitations and decides to act in some manner perhaps to jeopardise all GFA operations such as the did some time ago with RAAus. Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Matthew Scutter Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2018 9:04 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Who is ultimately responsible... So make a complaint to the GFA then about whoever it is you're concerned about. Don't conflate sports with airworthiness. Scales are for checking weight relative to handicap, not some mobile enforcement arm of CASA. Competition directors have enough to worry about already. On Thu, 6 Dec 2018, 10:17 am James McDowall <[email protected] wrote: The Self Administering Organisation model seeks to make the SAO responsible for ensuring that the laws are obeyed. Under the Part 149 arrangements CASA will only act at the request or report of the SAO. CASA relies on this concept so leaves these sort of issues to the relevant body so in this case if there is doubt that the law (or rules) are not complied with the GFA is obliged to act – at least to investigate. It is as easy as a set of scales at the launch pad. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Robert Izatt Sent: Thursday, 6 December 2018 5:41 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Who is ultimately responsible... That said if CASA was aware or believed or was provided information that an aircraft was being operated outside its limits or the pilot was unfit to operate said aircraft they would be proactive. The bigger the aircraft the more so but the principle still applies. If even just a rumour exists in V8 Supercars or F1 that the rules are being broken....... Rob Sent from my iPad On 6 Dec 2018, at 1:28 PM, Texler, Michael <[email protected]> wrote: Season’s Greetings to all, Who is ultimately responsible? The answer is in your mirror >From GFA Operational Regulations Issue 7, October 2014 Page 13 4. CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS 4.1. General 4.1.3. A pilot shall at all times operate a sailplane within the limits of its cockpit placards and shall not exceed the privileges of their authorisation(s). 4.1.4. Before each flight the pilot in command shall ensure that: (a) The sailplane is loaded within permitted limits and that any ballast required is adequately secured; _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring
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