Do we still have an independent CAA?

Since mid-2012, BeCA has been monitoring what could be gently interpreted as “inadequate attitude” at the top level of our CAA. On two occasions, two TV programs generated questions from BeCA to the CAA about respect of legislation by a certain operator. Some confidential information recently leaked and we now have the evidence that the CAA was aware of these issues, but did not react. BeCA has therefore decided to intensify the pressure towards Mr. Wathelet to get its questions answered.

Let’s refresh our memories. On 23 May 2011, a TV program host flew as copilot on a B737 flight from EBBR to EBOS (and return), involving three take-offs and landings. However, not only did this person not hold a valid professional pilot license for such an airplane, but also he had never even gone through a simulator training. A year later, another TV program featured a flight from the same operator where the flight times had clearly been exceeded. In view of these events, BeCA has repeatedly expressed to the CAA its deep concerns about risks to safety and the breach of current licensing and flight time legislation associated to these flights. However, all our demands and questions were never answered by Mr. Whatelet.

BeCA’s priority has always been to get a neutral and independent CAA, enforcing safety rules equally to all airlines and pilots. This is even more important when our CAA is expecting from airline managements to develop internal reporting programs like Occurrence Reporting or Fatigue Reporting Systems (see ECA detailed analysis on this issue). The CAA, as an independent regulator, must make sure these programs are really efficient and that transparency is fully respected.

In the wake of the current turmoil at Belgian CAA, a “favorable wind” brought the following CAA internal memo on our desk, demonstrating serious failures at CAA level. We leave to your analysis the question “How could the EBBR-EBOS flight possibly take place in spite of this internal memo from the CAA licensing department clearly stating its concerns and opposition to it?”

As a professional association fighting for the pilot profession and aviation safety, BeCA will continue to fight for having our questions answered and appropriate corrective measures applied.

To be followed…