The reporter has raised concerns in relation to the experience levels of [Location]-based flight crew operating medium to long haul international flights.
The reporter states [Operator] is soon to reopen a flight crew base in [Location]. Flight crew based in [Location] will be operating international flights to [Continent] using [Aircraft type 1] and [Aircraft type 2] aircraft. The reporter states, these aircraft will be extremely challenging to operate and pushed to their operational extremes in range and capability. The flights will be operated by crew members who have very little total experience and almost no exposure to the destinations and operating environments that they will be required to operate in.
The reporter acknowledges there will be experienced pilots based in [Location]. There will, however, also be pilots with only domestic experience and with little to no exposure to medium-long haul flights requiring additional training which should be mandatory.
Additionally, the reporter states, 'I believe that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) needs to audit this cohort of pilots and place a minimum requirement on experience and capability'.
Regarding each of the following statements, [Operator] would highlight the matter listed for each:
Flight crew based in [Location] will be operating international flights to [Continent] using [Aircraft type 1] and [Aircraft type 2] aircraft
[Operator] would like to highlight our [Manufacturer] pilots in all crew bases operate international flights on our [various aircraft types], as well as domestically on the [various aircraft types].
When we open the [Location] base this will be no different, with the crews based there scheduled to operate both domestic and international flying.
These aircraft will be extremely challenging to operate
[Operator] disagrees with the claim that 'these aircraft will be extremely challenging to operate'.
In particular [Operator] has been operating the [Aircraft type 2] for almost 2 years with currently [number] aircraft in service and approximately [number] hours flown in [Operator] line operations, with no indications or reports in our SMS of the aircraft being “extremely challenging to operate” in terms of flying the aircraft.
With respect to the [Aircraft type 2] we do not expect it to be any different to the [Aircraft type 1] to operate, with the main difference being that one carries more fuel and therefore has more range capability.
Also, [Operator] would like to highlight that the [Aircraft type 2] is yet to be certified by the relevant State of manufacture authority and as such has not entered service with any operator worldwide.
These aircraft will be pushed to their operational extremes in range and capability
The longer routes that are expected to be operated out of [Location] on an [Aircraft type 1] are, in most cases, similar to or shorter than other routes that are currently operated multiple times per day already in our [Aircraft type] network domestically and/or internationally. The longest international operation that is envisaged to/from [Location] for the [Aircraft type 1] has a lesser fuel requirement than flights [Operator] currently operates.
Of note [Operator] conducts rigorous range payload studies prior to announcing a new route, considering route weather and wind impacts, ATC and airport factors that may exist for the 12 months in a year. With all routes then managed for range and payload based on that data, with subsequent regular reviews each season. [Operator], as do most airlines, completes these studies, and found functionally it ensures that operations are appropriate for the aircraft scheduled on any route.
The flights will be operated by crew members who have very little total experience
[Operator] applies higher requirements for our crew qualifications and experience than CASA requires and of a similar level to that which applies across the industry.
Furthermore, [Operator] is surprised that the reporter claims to know the 'total experience' of each pilot.
[Operator] would also highlight that pilots operating routes on any given day out of [Location] may actually be from any base, not just [Location]. This similarly applies to any base location in our network.
The flights will be operated by crew members who have almost no exposure to the destinations and operating environments that they will be required to operate in
[Operator] would like to advise that all of our crew in every crew base operate aircraft internationally into [Continent] and/or [Region].
Pilots with only domestic experience and with little to no exposure to medium-long haul flights requiring additional training which should be mandatory
Further to the previous statement, [Operator] wishes to highlight that all of our crew in every crew base operate or may be rostered to operate aircraft internationally into [Continent] and/or [Region].
With due respect to the reporter, [Operator] does not agree with the reporter’s view that 'additional training' due to 'little to no exposure to medium-long haul flights' is required. The sectors to be operated to/from [Location] are similar flight times to the longer domestic sectors flown or otherwise no more than [number] minutes longer.
Additionally, the longer sectors will be single sector duties and are actually shorter flight duty periods than are operated domestically (where up to [number] sectors in a day may be flown).
The reporter states 'I believe that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) needs to audit this cohort of pilots and place a minimum requirement on experience and capability'.
[Operator] fully complies with and exceeds the CASA requirements for crew experience, training and assignment to duty.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this report. CASA has reviewed the REPCON and has undertaken a surveillance event on [Operator]. CASA has no safety concerns in relation to the REPCON.