CASA finds Tiger pilots failed 'normal simulator tests' as services resume 12-Aug-2011

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) forced pilots of Tiger Airways Australia to take "normal simulator tests" to prove their ability, and found some pilots did not pass the standards (The Courier-Mail, 11-Aug-2011). The carrier, who was yesterday (10-Aug-2011) granted permission to operate in Australia, was grounded on 01-Jul-2011 on the basis of safety concerns by the authority. "We certainly didn't have the confidence the (110) pilots were at a standard we required," stated CASA Director John McCormick. The carrier plans to launch service on 12-Aug-2011 under a more "simplified" structure. Tiger pilots are limited to 18 services per day for the rest of Aug-2011, and CASA is confident the pilots are now up to an acceptable standard.