Philippines Aviation Standards ' Lacking'

[Okieboy]

DAVAO SUN STAR Tuesday, March 20, 2012MANILA -- The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found lingering deficiencies in Philippine air safety standards despite the country's efforts to fix the problems.Unqualified personnel inspect aircraft and airport facilities, inspectors accept free rides on the same airlines they are checking and airlines receive certification despite failing to meet requirements, according to a report summary made available to The Associated Press.Safety and management concerns led the US aviation watchdog to downgrade the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in 2007 and limit US-bound flights from the Philippines. In 2010, the European Union also blacklisted Philippine carriers.Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas said Tuesday the government will take measures to address the deficiencies. He acknowledged that the FAA findings will adversely affect the Philippine airline industry and may discourage tourists."We will make an assessment and develop a course of action to address the deficiencies cited in the FAA report," Roxas said. "We will implement a zero-tolerance policy for defects whether it is on personnel or equipment."A team from the Philippine aviation authority is set to visit Washington in mid-April to present an action plan to address the more than 20 issues mentioned in the FAA report following the technical review in January.That visit, as well as the January review are a prelude to the still unscheduled audit by the FAA.Roxas told reporters that it may take some time before Philippines air carriers could once again be allowed to fly to the US without restrictions on operations or heightened FAA surveillance.Airline industry leaders have urged the government to work more aggressively on getting this status back so they could add flights to the US and Europe — lucrative routes plied by thousands of overseas Filipino workers each day.CAAP deputy chief John Andrews said the Philippine aviation agency was developing in-house training modules and manuals to standardize training for inspectors. The CAAP board will abolish the practice of free rides for inspectors, he said.He said the FAA welcomed the Philippines' move toward computer-based surveillance and its efforts to meet FAA guidelines on critical elements of air safety oversight. These include fielding qualified inspectors and strengthening regulations, licensing and certification.The FAA recommended that inspectors complete a standardized training program and called for a budget to remove free rides. It says that certificates issued to two local carriers should be revalidated and inspectors trained on the importance of enforcement.It also called for putting in place civil penalty sanctions and an amendment to the country's civil aviation law to allow local carriers to lease foreign aircraft. (AP)

[Dzighnman]

Interesting.... thanks for posting this!As someone that follows Boeing news very closely, I would say that Philippine Airlines has to be pissed about these new findings, as back in 2007, they ordered and added to that order for a total of 6 new 777-300ER's from Boeing, of which they have delayed taking receipt of 4 until later this year and beyond... likely in anticipation of the restrictions being lifted. The restrictions placed on the Philippines results in not allowing the planned expansion that PAL had in mind when they ordered these aircraft. I the specific destinations were to be added service to San Diego and Seattle and increased frequency to LA and SanFrancisco, as well as a Cebu-LA direct flight..... any delay to the lifting of restrictions in 2012, will likely result in PAL either paying delay penalties or leasing the new 777's out to others as they have already absorbed 2 new planes into their existing route schedule without realizing the true efficiencies of those planes.The trouble for the Philippine Air Authority is that talking about changes and improvements and starting to implement them is not going to work in this situation... true change, true improvment and a commitment to ensuring that they do not revert to the old ways is what is required.I draw parallels to the "20 things I dislike about the Philippines" video issue... but here is a case where the Philippine authority cannot tell the complainers to just leave.... the Philippine authorities have zero options, they must listen to the constructive criticisms, they MUST devise and implement the required changes and they MUST continue to do so as the rest of the world does, continuously look at your operations and implement continuous improvement.... to cast off or ignore the report as is normally done with constructive criticisms is not an option here.....if only it was not an option with any of the other conditions that contribute to the "3rd world" moniker that is synonymous with the Philippines.As with the issue where the inspectors are getting free rides with the airlines they inspect... here is an ethical lesson that should be an example for them to learn from... not only to conduct operations WITHOUT corruption but to further that concept to the point where there is not even a HINT of corrupt or improper behavior... to go overboard in the other direction and ensure that all operations are conducted without reproach. Sadly, after generations of corruption in all aspects of life, there is alot of learning required so that the people in charge truly know what ethical behavior really is.I hope they get their $h!t together and the restrictions are lifted soon as the world economies will be on a continued recovery and the Philippines will again be left behind if these restrictions are not lifted. I know for a fact that a large aerospace firm in the USA, that starts with a "B", has offered up all sorts of educational training and other sorts of aid in improving the "culture" of the Philippine Air Authority, but have yet to be taken up on those longstanding offers.... so one must wonder how committed to correcting this situation those in authority really are. :hystery:

[Jake]

You might as well throw in all the safety board inspectors for maritime and ground public transportation.For example, sea going vessels severely overloaded given permission to depart by the port authority(coast guard) during inclement weather conditions. But why bother -- it's fun to be in the Philippines......he, he.

[Old55]

They will not be able to lie, cheat or scam their way out of compliance. The FAA and European aviation authority's will not go away or look the other way. Frankly I don't think the Filipinos will get their act together but eventually blame the Foreigners for not playing nice. One reason Tan wants out and PAL is failing.

[Steve & Myrlita]

They will not be able to lie, cheat or scam their way out of compliance. The FAA and European aviation authority's will not go away or look the other way. Frankly I don't think the Filipinos will get their act together but eventually blame the Foreigners for not playing nice. One reason Tan wants out and PAL is failing.

It always will be a "Face" issue.

[Jollygoodfellow]

As with the issue where the inspectors are getting free rides with the airlines they inspect... here is an ethical lesson that should be an example for them to learn from... not only to conduct operations WITHOUT corruption but to further that concept to the point where there is not even a HINT of corrupt or improper behavior... to go overboard in the other direction and ensure that all operations are conducted without reproach. Sadly, after generations of corruption in all aspects of life, there is alot of learning required so that the people in charge truly know what ethical behavior really is.

I wonder if these inspectors turning a blind eye are putting their own lives at risk considering they are traveling on the same planes or is it really a matter of exaggeration where only minor faults may be found like on any other aircraft around the world.

[Dzighnman]

I wonder if these inspectors turning a blind eye are putting their own lives at risk considering they are traveling on the same planes or is it really a matter of exaggeration where only minor faults may be found like on any other aircraft around the world.

From the story, there is no way of knowing the severity of any potential escapements. One has to hope that whatever the training or motivation of the inspectors, they would have a line that even they would not cross but the lack of training issues are troubling in that they may think something is minor, but not know enough to realize the severity of an infraction. Fortunately, in the airline industry there are many levels of redundancy and quality/safety inspections are no different. Also to consider, an inspector, may be inspecting a repair/maintenance action, OR they may be inspecting documentation and while documentation is a vital element, it is much further from an incident than say skin cracking around fasteners. I would suspect that these inspectors that cut corners or are not trained properly feel that any of their shortcomings are not imminently cause for a safety concern… BUT, rules are in place so that even the most minor of issues should be identified, corrected and documented as such to strict guidelines as in the end… it is the little things that usually add up to a failure.I remember there was an Asia channel… something like NatGeo, that had a regular broadcast of a show that was focusing on case studies that detailed various aircraft accidents, the investigation and ultimate identification of the root cause, corrective actions implemented and the lessons learned that were applied to the industry… I think it was called "Air Crash Investigations" Anyone interested in the subject should watch some of these episodes as I can say with authority, they accurately capture the microscopic level of detail investigations go through and also, you get a sense of the sheer magnitude of what it takes to safely operate commercial aircraft and why even the smallest of discrepancies can lead to a chain of events that result in catastrophe.The Philippines is not alone, but not really in good company..Indonesia suffers from the same issues, lack of attention to detail, lack of depth of understanding how all T's must be crossed and I's dotted… for a reason. Like I said though, these infractions are not taken lightly by the outside world and in time, more and more restrictions will be placed upon the Philippine industry if corrective actions are not implemented.As for why PAL is looking to merge/sell??? I thought the exact same thing when I saw that news break… he wants out as he may be getting discouraged that change will ever come about in time for PAL to benefit from these new aircraft deliveries. The 777-300ER is perfect for the Phils to USA routes, but are NOT efficient for Phils to Japan…. Their efficiency is only realized over the long haul and they are not cost effective island hoppers.

[Old55]

:th_thbestpost:I've dealt with FAA rules in the workplace for over thirty years. There is a very good reason for those regulations and rules.

[i am bob]

When younger and in the airforce, I was employed in avionics and was an inspector on every aircraft type that I have ever worked on. It's amazing what can happen if either job wasn't done right... Or how many lives could possibly be lost! Every job is important to do properly and every inspection to complete correctly to ensure that the bird can fly straight and true! For those who cannot complete these actions properly, well, they really have no business being anywhere near an aircraft!!!