Dylan at it again - - - January 14, 2010, 10:00am

[r3j3y7]

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Local airline faces second investigation by Transport Canada
By: Kevin Rollason

14/01/2010 8:50 AM

WINNIPEG -- Transport Canada has again raided the Winnipeg air service that was fined more than $200,000 last year and had its president charged for allegedly not following maintenance regulations.

Melanie Orlowski, a spokeswoman for the federal aviation regulator, confirmed late Wednesday that Transport Canada executed a search warrant on Monday at the Winnipeg offices of Fast Air.

Orlowski said the search was done "to determine whether or not Fast Air is in violation of aviation safety regulations.

"The safety and security of all Canadians is of the utmost importance to our government — we will take all necessary measures in order to provide for their safety and security."

Orlowski confirmed that Fast Air still holds a valid air operator certificate — meaning it can still fly with passengers — and that the current investigation is "new and ongoing". She said Transport Canada can’t give further details.

Ray Snaith, Fast Air’s general manager, said his company still needs to talk to Transport Canada.

Snaith said Transport Canada inspected the air service last year and it continued to monitor the company.

"We need to have more in-depth conversations with Transport Canada to find out what we need to do to improve," Snaith said.

"It’s important to know we share the same goal as Transport Canada — safe and secure skies. And that’s what we offer."

Last September, Fast Air, which provides corporate, charter and medevac air service, was fined $213,500 while its president, Dylan Fast, was charged for wilfully omitting entries in records.

The company had been charged with 11 counts of failing to enter defects in aircraft journey logs after Transport Canada used a search warrant at the company’s offices in November, 2008.

Fast’s case is still before the provincial courts.


kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

[Minimums]

Well now how can they make money if they follow the rules?

[Doc]

Where there's that much smoke, there has to be a fire somewhere.
It's time for TC to do their job, and sell Fast Air's OC to that toilet paper company....the one with the little furry white kittens...

[The Old Fogducker]

You know what? This isn't the kind of statement to make when you're attempting to convince someone that you know what you're doing and whether you should continue to hold an AOC....

"We need to have more in-depth conversations with Transport Canada to find out what we need to do to improve," Snaith said.

OFD

[J31]

Well now how can they make money if they follow the rules?

Well I think you made that comment in jest…….at least I hope.

Lots of companies follow the rules and make very good money at it.

Part of the problem with 703/704 companies as they have not learned how to use a MEL. It increases your dispatch rate. Pilots are able write snags up and the company is able to defer on dispatching under MEL ….all legal.

TC has the GMEL program for almost every aircraft operated in commercial service. You can print it out and use the GMEL for your aircraft. Heck TC will even send you amendments. Or with some work one can customize your own MEL.

I’m not advocating this is Fast Air’s latest problems but it was in the past.

[CD]

Just as an aside ... the GMEL program has been suspended (again):

Note: The Generated Minimum Equipment List (GMEL) Program is under review, and issuance of generic MELs are not being processed.

If your company has a Transport Canada Generated Minimum Equipment List (GMEL), amendments are no longer being sent to support these documents. Air Operators are now responsible to review their GMEL(s) against changes to the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) and Transport Canada Supplement (TCS), and amend them as necessary.

Transport Canada: Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)

[WTF over]

edit

[WTF over]

2nd safety probe at Winnipeg airline
Last Updated: Thursday, January 14, 2010 | 8:08 AM CT CBC News
Winnipeg-based airline Fast Air was searched by Transport Canada and police investigators on Monday. (CBC)A Winnipeg-based airline offering air ambulance and chartered flight services is being investigated by Transport Canada for the second time in a little more than a year.

Winnipeg police, accompanied by Transport Canada investigators, executed a search warrant at the head office of Fast Air on Monday, CBC News has learned.

The federal regulator wants to find out whether Fast Air is breaking any Canadian flight-safety laws, an agency spokesperson confirmed.

The company, which operates 13 aircraft and employs about 65 people, has retained its licence to operate.

Monday's search was part of a "new and ongoing" investigation, the spokesperson said.

Transport Canada said it last inspected Fast Air in March 2009 and found nothing that would affect flight safety, the spokesperson said.

However, about four months later, the agency ordered Fast Air to pay more than $200,000 in fines for 22 counts of violating federal safety regulations.

The company failed on 11 occasions to enter defects into aircraft journey logs and failed 11 other times to operate aircraft in compliance with the company's own maintenance control system, Transport Canada said.

The company is appealing the ruling.

Dylan Fast, the company's owner and president, was also charged with wilfully omitting entries in records. His case remains before Manitoba's provincial court. His next court date is Jan. 18.

The maximum penalty for the charge against him is $5,000, a year in prison or both, Transport Canada said.

Company surprised
Fast Air general manager Ray Snaith said Wednesday that the latest visit by investigators to the company's office on Hangar Line Road was a complete surprise.

Snaith could say little about the Transport Canada probe.

"It's difficult to speak about the allegations without getting into a more in-depth conversation with [them]," he said.

"We do believe that a good relationship between the regulator and the operator is essential and we are committed to that."

Snaith defended Fast Air's safety record, saying the company has had no injuries or in-flight accidents in 15 years.

"Our safety record speaks for itself," he said.

[flameout]

"so the copilot had to make a command decision" ummm.... Where I come from 200 hour wonders don't usually get to make command decisions. And if I were captain of an aircraft where a copilot tried telling me what to do I'd probably fire his ass to. But hey, maybe we have different ideas of what a PIC is.

[rigpiggy]

Absolutely, if you don't fee comfortable, don't go. If you get fired make sure you back it up with emails/written correspondence. File for constructive dismissal. Until we are off the ground any member of the crew can scrub the flight, once airborne the PIC is the final arbiter.

[groundjockey]

WTF over - nice try, there are many slanderous lies in your comments. The truth will prevail, get over youreslf and move on to screw over your current YWG company, I hope they know what they are in for.

[Cat Driver]

As I read this the co-pilot refused to fly an aircraft that the co-pilot felt was not safe due to mechanical issues.

[LandP3nguin]

WTF over - nice try, there are many slanderous lies in your comments. The truth will prevail, get over youreslf and move on to screw over your current YWG company, I hope they know what they are in for.

I'm with groundjockey on this one. WTF over - your post is saturated with resent, this is a childish way of dealing with micomings. I ESPECIALLY don't agree that this is "sweet justice" - it's potentially putting many employees that are probably not even the intended target zone in a financial predicament.

Your post is selfish, and quite frankly, disgusting.

[groundjockey]

Re: Cat Driver's comments - the aircraft was 100% safe (as with all of WTF over's comments - none of them hold water.) That is not the reason why the co-pilot did not continue with the flight. I think I am done posting - I need to get back to work. Best of luck to all of you, with one exception.

[Big Pistons Forever]

Wasn't there so I am unable to comment on the veracity of any claims with respect to this operator. However there are a few absolutes in aviation. One of them is a pilot must refuse when asked to fly an aircraft that he/she knows is unsafe. If you you go ahead and get in anyway than you are IMO just another aviation Crack Whore bending over and taking it from any man with the money just so you can keep getting your fix. Saying no to the flight could very well get you fired but saying yes is the start of a slippery slope that will never end well.

[Widow]

They just finished firing a co-pilot who refused to fly an aircraft unfit for service.

the aircraft was 100% safe

Interesting wording, as both statements could be true.

[Let's Hear the Truth]

WTF over

Edited Oh, and by the way, if was as bad a place to work as you say, did you at least have enough credability to resign, or did you force them to make the decision for you and dismiss you over the differences of opinion? Or... maybe it was it just so that you could fill your logbook? Either way your a discredit to your own kind. Good luck with your future endevours. Someone like you, who raises crap like this on Avcanada will never work at my shop. I can't afford to babysit your kind. Hope it's all worth it.

For what it's worth, the staff over there deserve more respect than this. I've learned that they have been around for over 15 years and only in the last 18 months have there been issues. I've also learned interestingly enough that this correlates to the same timeframe of some employees that left on bad terms.

Mr. WTF over... in my time in aviation I've learned that facts don't lie. You have to be doing things right if you have one of the best safety records in the region. Every one of their base has a hangar filled with some of the best equipment for the job. Why would an operator cut on maintenance but spend tens of thousands to make aircraft upgrades? Sure we all make mistakes but from what I see, Fast spares no expense over there. I've researched all the events in Manitoba over the last 18 months, and I think TC should be looking somewhere else on the field. But I won't mention names because I have respect. The Public should really push TC to be concerned for the Public's safety. I don't see a trend of safety issues there, and that's what the TC spokeswoman seems to be pushing so harshly in the media regarding this latest raid.

[LandP3nguin]

Sure, whatever, kudos to the guy who said 'no' to a situation he didn't agree upon. Should I give a round of applause? Kiss his feet? I'm irked by the fact that his departure is being used as a seal of reassurance.

I'm posting for the others who are being caught and wound up in a web of antagonism. I'm talking secretaries, groomers, dispatchers, janitors, experienced senior pilots, low-time trying-to-get-their-foot-in-the-door pilots, customers and many others like their FAMILIES - you know, KIDS? Wives? Parents? Pull your head out of your ass (yes YOU WTF over!) and take a look at the broader picture. We all know many pilots struggle to pay their rent every month without having to wrench open their dwindling wallets due to begrudged individuals with egos that are exploding at the seams.

I'm tired of this "eye-for-an-eye" mentality. If you get into aviation, you should be prepared for a hell of a bumpy ride. It's not rainbows and fairies. If you want to get back at every person that steps on your tail in this industry, you're going to be one heck of a busy individual.

[ski_bum]

Saying no to the flight could very well get you fired but saying yes is the start of a slippery slope that will never end well.

This is a quote that should be embedded into every pilots mind, new and old...

[xsbank]

You listen to all the bleating that TC is not fullfilling its mandate of oversight, then when they actually do their jobs and enforce the rules the howling and the insults and the care and concern for the secretaries and the groomers and the poor workers whose livelihood is at risk... You can't have it both ways, buttercup. Besides, its some of these workers who are breaking the rules, it isn't only the boss, even if he does drive the agenda, somebody has to say 'yes.'

I doubt if the Nurenburg defense will fly in this case.

Can we stop with the insults? The media is involved so you know that whatever you read will likely be 50% of the real story. The only thing we know for sure is the company was sanctioned with fines before and they were just raided again. There is also a court case ongoing. Do you think the complaining of one lowly copilot will set all these gears in motion?

Unless he documented it all, of course.

Stop being so nasty to each other and circle the wagons over this sh*t.

[overshoot]

I happened to know the A/C was MEL'd and if that deems the plane unfit to fly then anyone who has flown with an MEL has been unsafe and should make a stand for rightousness.

[LandP3nguin]

You listen to all the bleating that TC is not fullfilling its mandate of oversight, then when they actually do their jobs and enforce the rules the howling and the insults and the care and concern for the secretaries and the groomers and the poor workers whose livelihood is at risk... You can't have it both ways, buttercup. Besides, its some of these workers who are breaking the rules, it isn't only the boss, even if he does drive the agenda, somebody has to say 'yes.'

I doubt if the Nurenburg defense will fly in this case.

Can we stop with the insults? The media is involved so you know that whatever you read will likely be 50% of the real story. The only thing we know for sure is the company was sanctioned with fines before and they were just raided again. There is also a court case ongoing. Do you think the complaining of one lowly copilot will set all these gears in motion?

Unless he documented it all, of course.

Stop being so nasty to each other and circle the wagons over this sh*t.

You seemed to have misunderstood the intentions of my "howling" xsbank. I have no bone to pick with TC, and if it were on their own account, I don't think I'd be so irked. My rueful bone is with those who don't have the capacity to think further than their own agendas for revenge and whom indirectly affect others - those not even involved in aviation or even the situation at hand, and then to flaunt it here as a "sweet justice" (and then the emerging wishes of sending a company's OC to the toilet) does nauseate me a little - please forgive me .

But alas, I think my plight is a never-ending one - I give my regards to the employees of Fast. Good luck.

[Lurch]

. I have no bone to pick with TC, and if it were on their own account, I don't think I'd be so irked. My rueful bone is with those who don't have the capacity to think further than their own agendas for revenge and whom indirectly affect others - those not even involved in aviation or even the situation at hand, and then to flaunt it here as a "sweet justice" (and then the emerging wishes of sending a company's OC to the toilet) does nauseate me a little - please forgive me .

But alas, I think my plight is a never-ending one - I give my regards to the employees of Fast. Good luck.

I don't care how TC got a hold of the info, If the company in fact was breaking the law then they deserve to get shut down, spiteful ex-employee or not. If they get shut down and all those gutless employees lose their jobs oh well, maybe they should have had the balls to stand-up against these illegal practices before they got shut down.

I don't understand why some people don't get it. If you are involved in a company that breaks regs and you do nothing, you are just a bad as the company if not worse, and most of us on here will have no sympathy when they get shut down and you lose your job.

If these allegations are false and just concocted by an irate ex-employee then legal measures should be taken against said persons.

Lurch

[pastflyr]

"so the copilot had to make a command decision" ummm.... Where I come from 200 hour wonders don't usually get to make command decisions. And if I were captain of an aircraft where a copilot tried telling me what to do I'd probably fire his ass to. But hey, maybe we have different ideas of what a PIC is.

I feel compelled to respond to this, there is a reason that there are two of us in the CP, there has to be some level of democracy, refusing to fly because the a/c is unsafe is not a command decision it is a safety issue. I have flown with so many captains who let the ego's get in the way it is a god damn good thing there has been a 200 hour wonder to bring the captain back to reality.


Also the other statements that have been going around that it was just disgruntled past employee's is a load, they may have started the investigation but TC doesn’t make up a 200+k fine because there are a few pissed off employee's or bring criminal charges against the owner that could land him in jail without hard evidence of wrong doing.

[flameout]

I apologize and didn't mean to give the wrong impression. I am a strong advocate for a healthy positive two crew environment. But the quote which I was responding to was so ridiculous that I had to make a comment. You will notice that WTF over has actually edited his post, correction, deleted the post all together in which I am refering to. Maybe common sense finally prevailed. Unlikely however.