Ex-Gulfstream International Airline pilot files complaint with FAA

[se1776]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/service...local/sfl-flbpilot0504pnmay04,0,1147673.story

I don't get.

Maybe you guys figure this one out.

 

[Abernathy]

What don't you get

 

[WalterSobchak]

Scariest part of the article was this quote from Gulfstream's VP of Legal Affairs:

"In general, we operate within the guidelines of the FAA," he said.

Wait, WHAT?

 

[Abernathy]

usually, we're typically often pretty good about being somewhat safe

 

[say again]

Unbelievable!!

 

[se1776]

INOP TCAS will ground an airplane?

That' what I don't get.

I know you need it for RVSM airspace.

I guess looking out the window doesn't count anymore.

Ok I get... they fly in the south where there is a lot of solid IFR condition.

 

[Weasil]

I hope he sues them.

 

[WalterSobchak]

INOP TCAS will ground an airplane?

That' what I don't get.

I know you need it for RVSM airspace.

(insert game show incorrect answer buzzer...here)

It is a common misconception but, no TCAS is required for RVSM operations. I get this question at least once a week, so you're not the only one that thinks this.

All you need is two independent altitude measurement systems, a functional autopilot system, an altitude alerting system, and a Mode C transponder.

I hope he sues them.

While, from the dispatch perspective, he was kinda being a pain in the arse to refuse a deferred TCAS...I hope he sues them, too. I don't see how he wouldn't win.

 

[Max Q]

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere near the Coral Springs training area with passengers, TCAS or not.

-Brett

 

[SmitteyB]

INOP TCAS will ground an airplane?

That' what I don't get.

I know you need it for RVSM airspace.

I guess looking out the window doesn't count anymore.

Ok I get... they fly in the south where there is a lot of solid IFR condition.

TCAS inop SHOULD ground airplane.

That airplane crusies at 230 knots, you would close on a slower aircraft much faster than you would think.

SHAME ON GULFSTREAM. I hope they shut those scumbags down.

 

[belchfire]

INOP TCAS will ground an airplane?

Sure as heck can! See, I had one where the Encoder got MEL'd, no big deal (except for having to remind Dispatch to revise our suffix). Then we discovered that with no encoder the TCAS didn't work...so I looked up the MEL on that and lo and behold while the encoder was a three day MEL, having no TCAS was a one day MEL...

Which caused no small consternation at HQ! (Dang pilots, if we didn't have them we could make some real money!)...

I wasn't working for Gulfstream BTW...never have.

 

[rogerwilcoout]

INOP TCAS will ground an airplane?

That' what I don't get.

I know you need it for RVSM airspace.

I guess looking out the window doesn't count anymore.

Ok I get... they fly in the south where there is a lot of solid IFR condition.

All turbine aircraft require a tcas to be installed and operating

 

[skypine69]

He has been in aviation 20 years and he works for Gulfstream? thats the part that confuses me.

 

[AWACoff]

All turbine aircraft require a tcas to be installed and operating

They don't all require the TCAS to be operating. That's what MELs are for.


I think the Gulfstream pilot made a rational decision. He had a near mid-air just previous to this. There were build ups enroute and it was night time. The TCAS is T.U. Then you throw on top of that one of the busiest training areas the U.S. It would have made me think twice.

 

[landlover]

All turbine aircraft require a tcas to be installed and operating

not if you're hauling boxes part 135.