Corporate Contrails

This decision by the Government has been made against the background of outdated advice and the assumption that the development of an airport at Badgery’s Creek will go ahead without any interruptions other than funding constraints. For those of us that have spent a career in airports and aviation, the assumption is laughable. We are not aware of any development of an airport on a ‘greenfield site’ that has proceeded in accordance with plans. The sums quoted by the Minister for the various stages of development could not possibly reflect the costs of infrastructure such as terminals, fuel farms, services, roads etc. We have also been advised that there is no intention to direct traffic to Badgery’s Creek but that it is expected they will move of their own free will. This is an equally unrealistic assumption.

The provision of a reliever runway at Sydney airport is still the most productive solution to the capacity problem at Sydney.

In the statement by the Minister there is reference to the joint Commonwealth/State Task Force which is expected to report shortly. Like all the other industry Associations we have not been consulted by this task force and can only assume that its deliberations are being held in isolation from the industry which its conclusions will most directly effect. By any standards this has to be nonsensical but nevertheless indicative of reality.

We would be interested to have a dialogue with Government on this matter but it seems they do not perceive the need for such meetings.

Civil Aviation Authority-Air Navigation Charges

During August it became clear that the Civil Aviation Authority had, in evolving its new charges applicable from the 1st July 1988, slipped a finger on its calculator. The CAA announced almost in a self congratulatory manner that it had kept the rate of increase to 3% overall.

A check of ABAA members revealed that the impact of the revised charges was more of the order of 18 to 23% increase per flying hour. Needless to say we protested loudly and received assurances that consultation with the industry had taken place prior to July 1st to agree the equitable basis for the new charges. We certainly were not aware of such consultations any more than were other industry groups.

At presstime it was clear that our lobbying may have some effect in lessening the impact but it only seems a pity that the story was not told correctly in the first place. Is it not time for the CAA, with its new charter, to turn over a new leaf and be more realistic with its press information.

Priority System

Some nine months and three Ministerial changes later, we have now received a response to our call for a review of the priority system. In a letter to the ABAA the latest Minister has advised that the Civil Aviation Authority will be undertaking a review of the priority system. It is understood that they will examine our proposition that priorities, if necessary, should be based on performance characteristics of aircraft.

The Minister also advised that the caveat would be that fare paying passengers would not be disadvantaged in any changed system. We naturally question the validity of this argument because whether or not the aircraft has fare paying passengers, the flight is being paid for by someone. Equally, we do not understand the legal basis upon which such a system was introduced in the first place. We hope that the Civil Aviation Authority will consult with the industry on this matter and that we will be able to say goodbye forever to the present discriminatory system.

In the same letter the Minister confirmed that the priority system only applies in the terminal areas of primary control zones. It is a pity that some controllers were abusing the priority system and broadening its application to all airspace allocation. A number of ABAA members have been forced to descend from a standard en route flight level although they were first to use the airspace. This is clearly unacceptable and any repetition should be brought to the attention of the Association so that we can, in turn, bring it to the attention of the CAA.

Abaa 1988 Conference and Exhibition

Further news on the arrangements for this year’s Conference and Exhibition, is that we have prepared an excellent programme. The overall theme of the Conference is ‘Business Aviation into the 1990’s’ and the aviation industry companies who have booked stands at the Exhibition are certainly enthusiastic about prospects for the last decade of this century.

Less optimistic about future access to Australian airspace and airports are op(‘lrators who still fly into capital city airports under the disadvantage of the present priority system. Nowhere is this more acutely focussed than at Sydney Airport where member companies aircraft continue to suffer aggravating delays.

This one issue is causing so much frustration and anger within the ABAA that it is to be the key issue for discussion at the Conference. The Second Working Session is to examine the questions surrounding the priority system within the framework of a discussion titled ‘Fair Access To Australian Airports For Business Aviation’. Leading the discussions will be the Vice Chairman of ABAA, Captain John Ross of Esso Australia Ltd. Esso are probably closer than any other company to the priority system and know very well the time wasting effects it has on their business.

The non-formalities lift off on the Wednesday evening with a welcoming cocktail party hosted by Canadair. The Thursday features an opening address by Opposition Aviation spokesman, Charles Blunt MHR, a plenary session headed by Michael Kellaway, a luncheon courtesy of BAe and working sessions on purchasing a business aircraft and access to primary city airports. Friday includes a safety seminar with representatives of the NTSB, NSCA, Simuflite and BASI. The luncheon is hosted by Gulfstream and President of the NBAA, Jonathan Howe makes his keynote address. All in all a both informative and enjoyable schedule.

The working sessions of the Conference will be supported by experienced people from all sectors of our industry and provide an interesting venue for all participants. The Conference and exhibition is being held at the Conrad International Hotel, Surfers Paradise and its not to late to join the delegates from all over the world. Contact the conference office on (075) 324 621 or Fax (075) 321 867 to register and book your accommodation at a reduced rate.