No More Engineers??

[xp cruiser66]

I was discussing this subject with my mechanic the other day, He was saying how the rta is getting rid of the engineer. and only having fully qualified mechanic's doing the engineering. because at the moment they have people who have no mechanical background certifying vehicle mods.
Im not totally sure on the "fact" of this yarn so i put it out there to you for your feedback

[Raptor]

There is a new scheme being introduced but it's not as simple as any mechanic can certify your car and there are no engineers. Below extract from the NSW RTA website; http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registrati...ccs/index.html

Vehicle Safety and Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS)

The Vehicle Safety and Compliance Certification Scheme (VSCCS) is a new scheme to license competent people to inspect non-standard vehicles and certify compliance with the relevant vehicle safety standards. The VSCCS will be introduced in 2011 to replace the Engineering Certification Scheme (ECS).

From December 2010, the RTA will accept expressions of interest from competent individuals wishing to become licensed certifiers when the scheme commences in 2011....

[superpursuit83]

People should be using Automotive engineers with experience etc. The engineer I use is a mad Wakefield man and build cars in his spare time. Knows lots about mechanics and chassis and brakes etc.

I would have thought that was a requirement nowadays/

[Airmon]

I'm fairly sure you can't just get any engineer to sign off on it. The RTA have a list of people they accept. As far as I know, just because you have a qualification you don't automatically become an expert and do whatever you want.
Mechanical Engineering especially is so broad that unless you are specialised in the area of Automotive mechanics then you can't go sign off on a chassis build if you design hot water heaters.

[olds]

I don't know if its true or not but I was told any mechanical engineer could sign off on a vehicle mod if they were willing to. After all that's what they are qualified to do. You would just have to back your opinion in court . I have four engineers in my family all in different fields some automotive some have been involved in court cases in their field of expertise yet they all had the same schooling.

[billy302]

Accredited Automotive and Mechanical Engineers only can sign off on modifications to your car.
No mechanic I repeat No mechanic can do so.
Your mechanic If accredited by the licensing authority can sign off on the vehicle roadworthy certificate.

[svo supporter]

It'd be a rumour and that's it. Some mechanics I have met, I wouldn't trust with my push bike, let alone signing off on a modification.

[olds]

So if your a mechanic by trade and work at product engineering Geelong for example . You do an engineering degree or diploma course paid for by the ford M.C. and become a qualified engineer then work on designing and testing components for current vehicles you are not qualified to competently oversee vehicle mods.

[SLO AU XR8]

Not without being certified by the RTA as an authorised signatory!

[Jason[98.EL]]

we could only wish that they would bring this in vic

Jason

[madmelon]

The RTA started getting rid of engineers when they wanted to install GPS tracking on trucks and decided an extra tonne over the front axle was a reasonable trade-off despite vehicles not being designed for it...

[reece1]

no more engineers is correct and yes mechanics can certify your car once the rta approves them to do so. and it is going to cost alot more to get certified as the new system has alot more overhead to get going.

[graham7773]

Madmelon, I ignorant, where does the extra tonne come from on the front axle?

[nb_351]

i think hes referring to trucks...
for a place to do engineering, blue and pink slips there will be a lot of overheads and money involved...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by madmelon

The RTA started getting rid of engineers when they wanted to install GPS tracking on trucks and decided an extra tonne over the front axle was a reasonable trade-off despite vehicles not being designed for it...

Could be interesting. The NSW Gov is getting rid of the RTA soon

Psst, Trucks have always been designed for 6 1/2 tons on the steer, but Australian roads weren't.

[madmelon]

Yes trucks, the tradeoff was increased maximum load for GPS tracking. My contact is/was a top mechanical engineer and a respected trucking expert- Consultant for the RTA and State Government, severed as a professioonal witness for the coroner too. He and and various others started to make noise when a host of potentially unsafe changes were to be implemented by the RTA/State government. That's when they started getting rid of mechanical engineers.

As an engineer and car enthusiast myself (and around others of the same sort all the time) I'm somewhat disturbed by the changes to be made. With all respect to both, a mechanic is not an engineer- and an engineer is not a mechanic. Whilst a proportion of each would find the training and transition to the other role relatively painless, there is a portion of each of those who should never even think about trying the other. It's this aspect that worries me.

Since the RTA/State government has a history of not being rigorous enough in some areas, it may be all too easy to allow people into these new 'engineering' roles who really shouldn't be there. It really is a matter of life and death.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by madmelon

Yes trucks, the tradeoff was increased maximum load for GPS tracking.

This happened when?

The only Trucks to have tracking are those that are fitted by the companies. Perhaps you are thinking of speed limiters?

[madmelon]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

This happened when?

The only Trucks to have tracking are those that are fitted by the companies. Perhaps you are thinking of speed limiters?

I never said it happened- just that it was proposed.

[nb_351]

Unless someone us confused with the point to point camera system?

[kaniSS]

Cost cutting in my opinion.

[reece1]

Originally Posted by kaniSS

Cost cutting in my opinion.

cost cutting what

[xp cruiser66]

So its past october 30, has anything changed yet? my cortina is getting closer to the end of my build.

[FPVGT500]

Thats what the new Miami's are for to avoid that hassle