Corporate Contrails

At the beginning of the shutdown many tourists were stranded and used business aircraft to make urgent connections with international flights. At the very time that airlines were making it increasingly difficult for business aircraft to use our airports, they suddenly stopped serving their customers. It would be well for them to remember that every sector of aviation has a role, often mutually supportive and that an equitable use of our airports will ensure that, at the very least, business aviation will be there to support the needs of the nation whenever they cannot perform.

The efforts made by everyone in the industry to fill the breach were commendable but the Civil Aviation Authority saw fit, during the height of the problems, to close Essendon Airport for a number of lengthy periods, due to ATC staff shortages, further exacerbating an already impossible situation. Quite naturally Essendon Airport, as Australia’s only true business airport, fulfilled a major role in the nationwide network of emergency services. Efforts by the ABAA to redress the situation with responsible senior officers of the CAA in Canberra were met with the standard bureaucratic response, put it in writing.

While the Air Transport industry of the nation was attempting to meet with public demands for travel, the CAA did not see fit to find a solution to their problems but merely let it further disadvantage the travelling public. The Chairman of the CAA seems to feel that we complain unfairly but it would be interesting to see how he would react faced with the same situation. When will the decision makers in Canberra realise that they are an integral part of a living industry which requires quick and responsible answers not ones that simply make them feel comfortable.

On the more positive side, it was pleasing to note that many corporations in Australia were, for the first time, exposed to the advantages of business aviation, its flexibility and its responsiveness to customer needs. The crews that operated the aircraft during the period performed in the highest professional manner and provided safe, expeditious transport for a wide range of users.

1989 Convention and Exhibition

By the time this is seen by most readers, it will only be a few short weeks to the 1989 Convention and Exhibition to be held from November 29th to December 1st at the Conrad International Hotel. This years event, the third one that the Association has arranged, promises to be memorable. The International Business Aviation Council will be holding its annual conference just prior to that of ABAA and this will ensure that the world’s key executives in Business Aviation will be present. In addition key speakers will be leaders from both political, business and regulatory arenas. It promises to be both a superb social occasion and also encourage a better understanding of mutual problems. International participation will be high and give the opportunity to catch up with old friends or make new ones.

Key business speakers will be W J Bailey, AO, Deputy Chairman and Group Chief Executive, ANZ Bank, Kevin Gosper, AO, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Shell; the Hon Mrs Ros Kelly MP and Mr David Juli for the political perspective and a number of senior industry executives.

The exhibition which at presstime was almost sold out promises to be a real drawcard with major international companies joined by our domestic industry. Generous sponsorship has been forthcoming from a number of major companies and this will ensure that delegates will get excellent hospitality. It is nevertoo late to register for attendance and full information can be obtained from the Convention Secretariat on Phone (03) 387 9955 or Fax (03) 387 3120.

Come and join us and learn all about business aviation.

The Future of Operational Control

The ABAA were delighted to see the report on the future of Operational Control in Australia. Despite the fact that it was a substantial indictment of management within the various aviation departments over two decades, the CAA has already demonstrated its willingness to redress the problems and implement the findings. It is now up to various sectors of the industry to respond to the recommendations, for the CAA to swiftly implement change and regenerate the low morale within that sector of Air Traffic Services.