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PPM Chapters 1 - 5, 6, 9

2022-11-302025-07-16

2 – Duties and Responsibilities

2.15.1 – Operating Priority Policy

The operating priority policy states that decisions should be made with the following in mind:

  1. Safety
  2. Passenger comfort
  3. Regularity of operation (schedule)
  4. Economy

2.16 – Operational Control

If the METAR or AWIS indicates conditions below landing minima, the flight can only depart with the approval of Network Operations.

3 – Aircrew Administration and Policy

3.5.1 – Personal Conduct – Company Requirements

When referring to delays caused by technical failures, refer to the failure in a generic way, using terms like ‘technical fault’, ‘system indication’, ‘system light’. Refrain from using specific terms such as ‘warning’, ‘caution’, or ‘failure’ and don’t give system specifics.

When discussing delays in general, avoid being too specifics as to the reason for the delay, as this may contradict information given by other departments. Using phrases like ‘operational delay’ and offering a sincere apology is normally sufficient.

3.5.5 – Eating in Public

Uniform must not be worn into any licenced bar, lounge, etc. Eating is not acceptable in view of the public unless seated at a restaurant, café, etc.

3.35.1 – NOTOC – Dangerous Goods

A NOTOC is only valid for a single sector, and any additional sectors (such as triangle/milk run duties, or connecting flights) require their own NOTOC. This will either be prepared by the originating port and attached to the back of the first NOTOC, or provided by the destination port.

4 – Safety

4.5.8 – The Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Passengers are not to use PEDs when crossing the tarmac, during the safety PA/exit row briefing, or when directed not to by the captain.

Large electronic devices (laptops, etc) must only be used once the fasten seatbelt sign has been turned off, and put away once the sign is turned back on again.

4.5.10 – Disruptive Use of PEDs

Any disruptive or unsafe use of a PED (using loudspeaker, leaving transmitting functions enabled, etc) must be addressed by the flight attendant. If the passenger refuses to comply, the captain must be advised and an SMS submitted.

4.5.18 – Suspected Electronic Interference

Avionics or flight instrument irregularities suspected to have been caused by passenger electronic devices must be noted in an AML and an ‘electronic safety occurrence report’. The captain should make a PA (from the white pages) to advise of the interference, requiring passengers to turn all devices off. An SMS is required and it must be reported to the ATSB. If possible, include the suspected device name, manufacturer, model, passenger name, seat allocation, contact details and all details of the irregularities.

5 – Security

Note

Sensitive information has been removed. Refer to PPM for most up to date information.

5.10.3 – Temporary Aircrew Card (TAC)

If you forget or lose your ASIC, each major Rex port stores a stock of 3 TACs. Apply for a TAC by emailing the Group Security Manager who will reply within 24 hours, or calling the manager by phone if urgent. A follow up email must then be sent.

TACs are only valid for 72 hours. If more time is required, the crew member is to apply for a VIC through the airport themselves.

5.11.2 – Authorised Access to Aircraft

If a passenger misplaces their boarding pass between the terminal and the aircraft, the flight attendant may sight valid ID and confirm with pax manifest. If this is not possible, a second boarding pass should be printed and brought out to the aircraft (with ID sighted prior to reissue), or the passenger removed from the aircraft and taken back to the terminal.

5.11.6 – Jump Seat Passengers

Only Rex Group employees with proper ID (not necessarily an ASIC) may be permitted to jump seat. Employees who aren’t part of the aircraft’s operating crew require approval from GMFO/COO to jump seat.

5.11.10 – Pre-flight Security Check

A security check must be performed before the first flight of the day or any time the aircraft has been left not under the supervision of at least one person. This includes overnight stops, extended breaks, etc. This check is included as part of the normal pre-flight checks performed by flight attendants and flight crew.

5.11.11 – Detection of Firearms, Weapons, or Prohibited Items

If a weapon or prohibited item is detected onboard an aircraft during a pre-flight security check, the object should be left in place (do not touch), the aircraft evacuated, and the airport manager/agent notified. Network Operations should then be notified.

5.17 – Carriage of Personal in Lawful Custody

A maximum of two persons in lawful custody may be carried on any one flight. A person in custody and their escort/s must board before other passengers and disembark after all other passengers. They are to be seated as far backward as possible but not in an exit row.

5.18 – Carriage of Weapons

A weapon may be carried in the passenger cabin if:

  • written approval is received from the Secretary of the Department of Home affairs, or
  • The weapon is under the control of the PIC and necessary for protection against a dangerous animal or person being carried onboard, or
  • Carried by an Air Security officer who is on duty and intending to fly with the consent of Rex

5.18.2 – Check-in of Firearms and Ammunition

Firearms must be carried unloaded, bolt removed (if possible) and with not more than 5kg ammunition. Military firearms may be carried in an assembled condition with an unloaded magazine. If more than 5kg ammunition is planned to be carried, it must be sent as freight. All firearms must be carried in a locked case.

A NOTOC is required for any checked luggage containing a firearm and the bag is to be delivered to baggage services in the terminal, where the passenger will collect it.

5.18.3 – Check-in of Other Weapons

All other weapons must be carried in the cargo hold in checked luggage or as freight, provided they are not prohibited for air travel and packed appropriately. Disabling spray (pepper spray, etc) may be checked in by approved law enforcement officers with the approval of Rex, provided it is treated in the same way as a firearm. Electroshock weapons may be checked in by law enforcement officers with the approval of Rex.

5.22 – Disruptive Passengers

Any passenger may be refused carriage where they pose a threat to safety or the PIC believes they may be about to commit an offense, or where they are an annoyance to other passengers. The PIC is encouraged to act judiciously and exercise any measures deemed necessary to ensure aircraft, passenger and crew safety. This includes deploying law enforcement or security services.

Intoxication

A passenger may be denied boarding if they are believed to be intoxicated. A crew member is not medically trained and cannot determine whether a person is intoxicated (as it can be confused with medical conditions, etc), so if they are denied boarding, it must be communicated to them that the reason is that they are “unfit to fly”.

It is important to report boarding denials to the Group Security Manager in circumstances where the passenger is under the influence of alcohol or other substances and behaviours may be difficult to prove at a later date.

Disruptive Behaviour in Flight

If a passenger becomes violent, the flight attendant may request the use of the Passenger Warning Card (PIC approval required). If this is not successful, and only after the card has been issued, the PIC may approve the use of restraining devices. The passenger should be moved to seat 2C and a suitable fit & able passenger moved next to them to monitor for any signs of escape.

If the PIC considers the safety of the aircraft and occupants are in danger, they may divert to the nearest suitable aerodrome with sufficient law enforcement services. Network Operations must be advised, through company channels or ATS. Rex will seek the full cost of the diversion from the passenger involved, and if their behaviour improves, the planned flight may be resumed. If a flight is diverted, law enforcement assistance is mandatory for the disruptive passenger.

Smoking

If any passenger is caught smoking in flight, they must be instructed to extinguish the cigarette and advised that their details will be forwarded to CASA for possible prosecution. The Group Security Manager must be informed.

Mobile Phones

The use of mobile phones without an in-flight mode is prohibited. Unauthorised use is considered disruptive behaviour.

Bar Closure

Individual passengers may be cut off in accordance with responsible service of alcohol guidelines. The total closure of the bar may be executed by the PIC if the situation dictates.

5.22.8 – Powers of the PIC (under Civil Aviation Act 1988 & Civil Aviation Regulations 1988)

The PIC, with assistance as required, may:

  • Take such action, including the removal of a person from the aircraft or the placing of a person under restraint or in custody, by force, as the pilot considers reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with the Act or these Regulations in or in relation to the aircraft, and
  • Detail the passengers, crew, and cargo for such a period as the pilot considers reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with the Act or these Regulations in or in relation to the aircraft

The preferred course of action is for the PIC to exercise the power described above inflight, seek ground assistance on arrival, and hand the restrained person to police. Restraint should only be used in extreme circumstances.

6 – Non-Technical Skills

6.2.6 – Red Flags

The following red flags may indicate a crew member is losing situational awareness and may be about to commit unnecessary errors:

  • Fixation
  • Ambiguity
  • Complacency
  • Distraction or confusion
  • Work overload
  • Not using SOPs

6.4 – The Support Process

Captains should provide guidance to FOs where it is deemed beneficial. Should the guidance be ignored and the situation require imminent intervention, a crew member should repeat a standard call or refer to an SOP.

Solution Statement

If the situation is deteriorating and the pilot flying is refusing to cooperate with provided guidance, issue a solution statement, utilising their role and suggested action.

“First officer, increase rate of descent or we will be too high at LANOL”

Emergency Statement

This is the last attempt to raise a crew member’s situational awareness and enforce appropriate action. Use the crew member’s title and indicate the action that must be taken.

“First officer, you must act now, increase rate of descent”

Failure to respond to the emergency statement must be considered crew incapacitation and the other pilot must take over command of the aircraft.

9 – Load Control

9.3.2 – Non-Standard Passengers

Standard passenger weights should be used for all flights. If it is more appropriate to use actual passenger and bag weights, approval must be sought from COO/GMFO.

9.4.6 – Regional Operating Crew Bags

All crew bags (unless specifically weighed) must be recorded as 7kg (same as orange tag bags).

9.13 – Load Statement

A Load Statement is used when FLAPS can’t obtain a network signal and the trim can’t be sent to the server. It should be filled out by the PIC and left with ground staff at the departure port.