Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
australian aviation logo

Albanese rejects union criticism of new regs

written by australianaviation.com.au | May 17, 2010

photo - Paul Sadler
photo - Paul Sadler

Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says that the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is wrong in its assertions that new cockpit security regulations will prohibit off-duty pilots from accessing the flightdeck of an operating aircraft.

“The Pilot’s Association is wrong when it says the regulations exclude licensed company pilots from travelling on the flightdeck when they are not actually flying the plane.  If the airline allows those pilots to travel in the cockpit for an operational, safety, security or training reason they can do so, and the airline – not the pilot – carries legal responsibility,” said Minister Albanese.

“In fact, the pilot in command of a plane will be able to allow people to travel in the cockpit (such as other pilots), so long as they have an operational, safety, security or training reason for being there.  The pilot is then legally responsible for doing so.”

Albanese’s attack came after AIPA renewed its criticism of the change in cockpit security regulations, which is due to take place from May 22 once the changes are passed in parliament. Similar measures were subject to a disallowance motion last year.

“Minister Albanese has had these regulations rescinded before in the Senate and for good reason. In moving a disallowance motion on these regulations in the Senate last September, Senator Nick Xenophon described them as ‘internationally unprecedented and unacceptable’,” said AIPA president Barry Jackson.

==
==
You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member today!

You don't have credit card details available. You will be redirected to update payment method page. Click OK to continue.