Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-10-31

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] HELIOS - PILOTS

[01] HELIOS - PILOTS

In his testimony today before the Commission of Inquiry into the causes of the ``Helios`` air crash, Stoimenov said that the four copilots have had no evidence that the aircrafts safety was in danger, or that Mertens did not comply with the standard operating procedures of the aircraft (SOP).

``In order to assess the abilities of a captain, one has to be an expert. No one of those copilots had been an expert, or had any long experience, Stoimenov told the Commission.

He added that he had located no problems regarding Mertens execution of his duties, but said that he had drawn his attention to various aspects regarding his behavior and his inability to inspire team work among the crew.

Stoimenov said that the company had taken into consideration the complaints by four copilots regarding Mertens behavior, but said that the company had taken measures and the problems had been solved.

During todays hearing Stoimenov said that copilot of the fatal ``Helios`` Boeing Pampos Charalambous was not considered, by the ``Helios`` company, able to attend a training to become a captain, due to a series of weaknesses.

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