Get the facts before speaking out of turn

10.OCT.08

Editor: Please allow us to express our sincerest condolences to the family of the lady that succumbed while in flight on Grenadine Air Alliance from Canouan to St. Vincent. It is indeed unfortunate that the medical fraternity did not realize that she was a medovac case and not someone capable of commercial travel. SVG Air has an aircraft for just such occasions which is used regularly throughout the Caribbean.{{more}}

We have noticed comments in the paper and also heard them on radio to the effect that the aircraft should have had oxygen on board. These remarks and writings are being made in ignorance of the law. Too often people speak or write about matters of which they have little idea. It would be so easy to pick up a phone and ask someone in authority for the facts. We have even heard lots of rubbish about Aero Commanders, and normally we take little notice but it may be time to educate some of the traveling public.

The requirement for oxygen on board an aircraft operating in the OECS Section 7.1.8.12 deals with oxygen storage and dispensing apparatus: section (C) indicates that an AOC holder shall not operate an aircraft at altitudes above 10,000 ft unless it is equipped with oxygen masks within immediate reach of flight crew members. Section 8.9.1.6 (A) states that a pilot in command shall ensure that breathing oxygen and mask is available to all passengers in sufficient quantities for all flights at such altitudes where a lack of oxygen might harmfully affect passengers.

A pilot in command shall require that all passengers use oxygen continuously at cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 ft.

The DH6 Twin Otter does not require any supplemental oxygen for crew or passengers as it is unpressurized and does not operate at altitudes above 10,000 ft. Hence we do not carry oxygen bottles on our Twin Otter Aircraft.

The ambulance responded within 20 minutes of being called at the Hospital, which under the circumstance is considered acceptable.

Martin Barnard
Chairman,
Grenadine Air Alliance