Paul Get's The Axe...

[Silverwing]

llewella
Moderator


Australia
178 Posts
Posted - 29/03/2005 : 8:01:42 PM
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Australian Sport Rotorcraft Association Inc.

March 24th 2005. The ASRA Board convened at 0900 this morning to discuss the circumstances that led to the suspension by the ASRA Operations Manager, of the Pilot Certificate and attachments thereto of Mr. Paul Bruty.

Following is an extract from the letter sent to Mr. Bruty by the Operations Manager:

“Having considered the information outlined above, I am of the opinion that you have again breached the requirements of the ASRA Operations Manual and the CAOs in that you:

1. Operated a gyroplane which was not registered in accordance with Section 5.03 para 2 (a), (b) and (c) of the ASRA Operations Manual;

2. Modified a gyroplane in a manner that is not consistent with sound, safe or acceptable engineering practices; and

3. You failed to comply with the requirements of the ASRA Operations Manual Section 4.08 para 4, and Section 4.08 para 6.”

Mr. Bruty had been advised of this meeting and his options in respect of the meeting. Mr. Bruty chose not to be present or represented, and furnished a sworn affidavit in lieu.

Due to perceived conflicts of interest, several Board Members opted not to participate in discussions, and the remaining Board Members carefully considered the evidence presented by the Operations Manager, that contained in sworn statements from several witnesses and the admissions contained in Mr. Bruty’s affidavit.

After due consideration, a verdict of guilty was brought down on all three charges, and the following was resolved:

“That Mr. Bruty’s ASRA membership be suspended for 12 months.
It was also resolved that Mr. Bruty’s Technical Adviser Approval be cancelled. Renewal of his Technical Adviser Approval will be subject to Mr. Bruty attending a Technical Adviser Course after his 12 months suspension and successfully re-qualifying as an ASRA Technical Adviser.”

This decision was ratified unanimously by the full Board.

The ASRA Board.


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Edited by - llewella on 29/03/2005 8:06:43 PM





"RULES", are for everyones safety, you break em, you pay............. John

[GyroRon]

I feel bad for him. I feel like everyone has just ganged up on the guy and this is the result. We are supposed to be a big happy family, but the truth is there is a whole lot of problems with this family. Jerry Springer wouldn't be able to handle the crap we got.

Paul, sorry brother.

[RICK MARTIN]

Paul,
As far as I'm concerned, you are a man and pilot to be respected. Nobody is perfect. In my opinion, you have amassed a great deal of experience which I consider very valuable. You will always be a part of this family. When you have time and the desire, please let us know how all this actually affects your day to day activities and what your plans are.

[banaari]

Originally Posted by GyroRon

I feel bad for him. I feel like everyone has just ganged up on the guy and this is the result. We are supposed to be a big happy family, but the truth is there is a whole lot of problems with this family. Jerry Springer wouldn't be able to handle the crap we got.

Paul, sorry brother.

Amen, Ron.

[chuter]

Modified a gyroplane in a manner that is not consistent with sound, safe or acceptable engineering practices;

Like no one else does that with a gyroplane..........

[skyguynca]

I see their decision and still can't believe it. That sucks Paul, you have done some fine work and taught us from time to time. Good luck on your endevaors. Oh, can you appeal??????

[pwendell]

Paul,

I also feel very badly for you. I know that instructing is your livelyhood and this is a very harsh punishment.

I wish you the best luck.

[mcbirdman]

How are you going to appeal a decision that he didn't even bother to show up for? As for ganging up - I don't think our forum is big enough to have such political power....does it? I think those boards operate independently of whatever discussions we have had here. I feel bad for Paul, no one likes getting called on the carpet. Evidently, he knows what color it already is - based on threads read elsewhere and evidently didn't have much to add.
However, even through this difficult time, hopefully he will be back on a better day and a better man for it. No one likes to see a person struggling and being that he has been here so long "in the family" it is difficult to watch a family member suffer through anything - including this.

[banaari]

Interesting:

Originally Posted by ASRA

Due to perceived conflicts of interest, several Board Members opted not to participate in discussions.

But apparently they still voted on the punishment:

Originally Posted by ASRA

This decision was ratified unanimously by the full Board.

[LARRYEBOYER]

Is the ASRA similiar to the US FAA? or like our PRA? I was trying to get a feel for what the suspension meant to Paul? Nevertheless, I am sorry for any problems it causes Paul.

[Friendly]

Paul , we wish you the best while you have to walk this mile, May you find new friends in all of this and stay active on the forum. You will have time to complete some projects hopefully, God Bless.

[banaari]

Originally Posted by LARRYEBOYER

Is the ASRA similiar to the US FAA? or like our PRA? I was trying to get a feel for what the suspension meant to Paul? Nevertheless, I am sorry for any problems it causes Paul.

As I understand it, in Oz the national regulatory agency (CASA) delegates most authority to ASRA. So no flying, training, nada, zip ... for a year.

[PTKay]

Originally Posted by banaari

Interesting:



But apparently they still voted on the punishment:

John,

there is a difference between "voting" or "decision making",
which was taken without some of the members
(they were not discussing or voting) and
"ratification", which is an approval of a decision already taken.

So, I see no contradiction.

[PTKay]

Originally Posted by Silverwing

2. Modified a gyroplane in a manner that is not consistent with sound, safe or acceptable engineering practices; and

So, the ASRA has spoken.

Obviously for them the above conclusion was taken after
seeing the evidence.

This is not a direct explanation for the accident, but
obviously serious enough...

Will those of you, who wanted a proof, accept it now,
that it was the modification of the back stick limit made by Paul,
not the broken cable, made by the owner, that coused the accident ?


Modification which was not consistent with sound, safe or acceptable engineering practices as stated above.

[Dean_Dolph]

Originally Posted by PTKay

........Obviously for them the above conclusion was taken after seeing the evidence.

This is not a direct explanation for the accident, but
obviously serious enough....

It is hard to tell if there was any investigation of the accident. It appears that all that was presented was evidence that regulations had been violated.

Originally Posted by PTKay

Will those of you, who wanted a proof, accept it now, that it was the modification of the back stick limit made by Paul, not the broken cable, made by the owner, that coused the accident ?

Modification which was not consistent with sound, safe or acceptable engineering practices as stated above.

I suspect you are right in your assumption that the back stick limit is what they are referring too. However, how do you know? For all we know there may have been other mods that they were addressing.

What you are doing is taking one of the three charges Paul was found guilty of and trying to make a case that the improperly made up cable that failed wasn't the cause of the accident! Unbelievable! How did you come to that conclusion?

No, I'm not ready to accept that it was the mod to the back stick limit that caused the rollover incident. And if the ASRA doesn't release an detailed accident investigation report, that identifies the cause(s) and effect, it is going to look more and more like this was a witch hunt where they are more interested in hanging someone than promoting safety.