Commercial Aviation Update & Aviation Briefs

For the first time in some years the formal AGM was held in conjunction with the Conference with some twenty odd members managing to make it, but some good work was done and new directions set for the Association into the 1990s including direct involvement into the Apprenticeship Training & Employment areas, formation of a Northern Territory Region, resolutions on GAIT, Association Branch structure, specialist committees and Association support to member legal problems.

After three years the National Chairmanship changed, with Noel Bellamy stepping down and Brian Nicolson (Derwent Aviation, Goulburn) taking up the reins. Already Brian has moved into top gear with both he and Rob Baker making a scheduled round of the Canberra Politicians and Departmental heads in the first two weeks of August.

However, good as it was, it is not good enough, the Association has all the ingredients to become the forerunner in the industry, it has the Key people, BUT it must have total industry and member support.

Once again we will say it, if you belong in the industry, you have a responsibility to belong to the Association, as Dick Smith said at the Conference, on the matter of small number attendance, “You can’t afford not to be there”, and equally you can’t afford not to belong.

We have, in recent weeks asked our membership for input on the effect of GAIT, in a three page questionnaire, it you haven’t already done so, do it now. Remember if you do not tell us the facts about your problems, there is no way we can act on it. The same applies for input on the CAA’s Aviation Consultant R J Yates’ request in respect of ‘first of type’ certification, the opportunities are there, but the industry has to make the effort.

The GAA initiative of bringing the industry organisations together has culminated in the formation of the ‘Aviation Industry Council’, representing 7 industry organisations. This group will be the spearhead of industry opinion in an organised effort to bring Government, industry and bureaucrats together for the benefit of all. The group is there to be used in a practical and precise manner and this opportunity to make it work must not be missed.

Our Branch structure is slowly but surely coming together with Sydney up and running (to good effect) and Melbourne and Adelaide to closely follow. This progress can only be attributed to a few dedicated, industry conscious people; our next goals are Archerfield and Darwin (tomorrow the world).

‘ At the GAA Conference fuel was added to the fire on the KSA third runway controversy, with Government and Opposition Ministers taking the inevitable opposite sides of the track on the question of the Government’s real intent to proceed. Whilst the Government may well be using the EIS as a delaying tactic until the next election (and we think they are), thinking people are well aware there is no ‘quick fix’, the third runway· is at least five years down the track and Badgerys Creek is more than a decade away even if they started now.

However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel if the Government and the CAA have the guts to seriously look at the ‘Bigsworth’ report and implement its recommendations. (Refer in depth KSA feature this issue. ) This is the only practical way open to increasing the performance of KSA right now.

Whilst we hope some sanity might prevail somewhere in the mess, this organisation will continue to fight for the preservation of GA access to Sydney airport and the elimination of discriminatory politically inspired charges on GA aircraft.

1989 Annual Conference Shaping up Well

The Aviation Law Association of Australia is holding its 8th Annual Conference in Melbourne from 3rd to 6th November 1989. The conference will begin with a cocktail evening on 3rd November 1989 and sessions will be held on Saturday 4th, Sunday afternoon 5th and Monday 6th November 1989. Delegates may also wish to attend the (in)famous Melbourne Cup on the following Tuesday.

The broad themes of the convention are aviation insurance, current issues in aviation in Australia and aviation financing.

An eminent list of international and Australian speakers will deal with such subjects as terrorism in aviation, the operation of geriatric aircraft, the role of the aircraft commander, recent developments in aviation insurance, airline mutual insurance and the difficulties of gaining access to the Australian market, both internationally and domestically.

Representatives from airlines include Ralf Oelssner of Lufthansa, Lawrence M Nagin of United Airlines, Vijay Poonoosamy of Air Mauritius, Capt Trevor Jensen of Qantas Airways, Priyani Abeyeraske of Air Lanka and Victoriano Dungca of the proposed new Australian airline Capitol Airlines.

From New York, will come John Romans of Curtis Mallet Prevost Colt & Mosle and George Tompkins of” Condon & Forsyth. Juanita Madole will journey from Los Angeles and Donald Bunker of Ogilvy Renault in Montreal will come from Canada.

Other international speakers include Tim Castle, Barrister and Solicitor, Perry Castle, Wellington New Zealand, Capt Oded Arbarbanell, formerly 747 Chief Check. & Training Captain with El Al Israel Airlines, Geoffrey Lipman of the International Foundation of airline passengers Associations, Giuseppe Guerreri of the Italian Bar, Captain Russell Kane of Aer Lingus and London solicitors, Nicholas Hughes, Tim Brymer and Harvey Crush.

From Canberra speakers will include Brigadier General Mackenzie-Orr, Head of the Protective Services Coordination Centre, Alan Heggen of the Civil Aviation Authority and Dr Rob Lee of the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation.

Other Australian speakers will include George Beaumont QC, Peter Rose of Counsel, Ron Ashton, solicitor, Cedric Jones of the Australian Aviation Underwriting Pool, Richard Green of Deloittes Haskins & Sells and Jess Smith of Melbourne Aircraft Corporation who plans to have his new Mamba aircraft on display at the conference venue.

For further details and conference registration, please contact either Tony Ward -President ALAA-Fax: (03) 629 4295 or Cindy Last – Myriad Conventions – Tel: (03) 602 3866, Fax: (03) 670 2710.