Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Die Welt- Problems with Cockpit Rules

Friday, March 27, 2015

Die Welt- Problems with Cockpit Rules

The dramatic circumstances of German Wings crash prompted the world's airlines to reconsider the regulations for flight operations. In Europe, the air safety authority EASA has issued a temporary recommendation for flight operations in Europe. Until further two crew members in the cockpit should be, if one of the pilots have to leave the flight deck for a short time.

Thus, the authority reacts extremely rapidly to the tragic incident. Also, airlines and air safety authorities in Australia and New Zealand have announced new rules or they want to check the rules for the cockpit occupation.

In general, the airlines are not yet required to ensure that there is always more than one crew member is staying in the cockpit. In the United States, but also in Europe but which is already partially practiced so. For example, flies Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair has long with such a system and communicates presently does against over-anxious passengers.

"I was very calm," a Ryanair guest told the "world". "I was afraid before departure." The German charter airline Condor reacted like many other airlines even before the official recommendation of the EASA. "We've had inquiries about social media, and the new regime in flight operations in line with the wishes of our customers," said spokesman John Condor winter.

For German Airlines announced Matthias von Randow, the chief executive of the Federation of German Air Traffic Management (BDL) that the new two-person control with the Federal Aviation Authority should be discussed. As a result of the crash, the BDL-member airlines have agreed that no pilot while flying alone anymore Believed to be in the cockpit.

Many other countries are following

The scheme would be introduced on a temporary basis. Federal Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) welcomed the announcement. "The four-eyes principle in the cockpit is a real consideration."

In the UK, most airlines change their rules after a recommendation by the Transportation Security Administration. When the airlines Virgin Atlantic, Easyjet, Monarch and Thomas Cook, a member of the cabin crew must remain in the cockpit when one of the pilots leaves his place in the future. With the low cost Jet2, Flybe and Ryanair as it was already standard. British Airways declined to comment first.

Also, Air Baltic, Norwegian and Air Canada perform a self-described the two-person rule. In the Czech airline Czech Airlines (CSA) and the Czech charter airline Travel Service is already considered the dual rule.

Australia also checked the rules. The Government has requested information from airlines and processes in the cockpit, reported the news agency AAP. New Zealand take the two-person rule an immediate, informed the local Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

More flight attendants as pilots

The former security chief of the Polish airline Lot, Jerzy Dziewulski, however expressed skepticism. Flight attendants could do nothing to prevent a catastrophe during the absence of one of the pilots, he said in TVN 24. "The pilot in the cabin says: Sit down, do not touch anything, you have no idea I'm the one who. machine controls. "

In addition, there are also concerns for pilots , whether by such a new scheme in flight operations safety rather than improved is not even endangered. Because there is obviously much more cabin crew as pilots.

This also means that, statistically, the probability is higher that among people with mental health problems or radical political views. "I'm afraid now, a whole series jihadists for a job as a flight attendant will apply," says a pilot forum.

The board member of the pilots' union Cockpit VC, Markus Wahl, said the new regulation in flight operations was necessary to respond sure a "good first step" on the dangers of such tragic accidents.

However, one must ask themselves before again after a certain time, "really Increases safety?" In the long run the legislation causes in doubt, have to exercise more in the cabin, and the door to the cockpit will be longer than previously opened.

Thus flight attendants are tested

Flight attendants in Germany are extensively tested before the start of their training on the basis of a selection procedure of the German Center for Aerospace DLR psychologists and questioned. The training is then usually twelve weeks. Then a comprehensive safety review as all other employees in the aviation industry before starting work.

According to the chief of cabin crew union UFO, Nicolai Downloads Open, will have to show in the coming weeks whether proved the cockpit revision in everyday life.

He understood after the tragic events in German Wings Although the reflex of the airline manager, "to want to do something," but expressly points out that most flight attendants currently feel safe in their everyday work. "My colleagues do not trust problem."