A new face, old problems

By Way of Introduction, I Have Been a Pilot for Nearly 30 Years, an Aircraft Operator for Over 20 Years, Have Served in Senior Positions in the Non-government and Government Sectors, and Am a Non-executive Director of an Airwork/training Company.

I Am Very Interested in Advocating for the Growth and Prosperity of Australia’s Regional Aviation Industry, in All Its Facets. I Believe Firmly That Regional Aviation is Playing an Essential Role in Australia’s Ongoing Economic Development as Well as Providing Regional and Remote Communities With Links to Vital Services. In Many Ways, Regional Aviation Should Be Seen in the Same Infrastructure Light as Education, Health, Telecommunications, Rail and Road Services.

White Paper Highlights Issues

the Request by Minister Albanese to the Industry to Assist in the Development of an Aviation White Paper Will Be Welcomed if All the Hard Work by Industry in Responding Gives Rise to Tangible, Measurable Outcomes.

The White Paper Must Set the Policy Goals for the Development of the Industry Over the Next 10 Years at Least. This Important Process Must Make a Real Difference if Industry Cynicism Towards Government Initiatives is Not to Deepen.

On the Specifics, There is a Clear Shortage of New Pilots and Technical Staff Entering the Industry. The New Aviation Training Package, While Laudable in Its Alignment of Aviation Competencies Nationally, Did Not Specify How Aviation Students Can Receive Financial Assistance While Training.

A Fee Help Scheme Along the Lines of Hecs Would Be a Sound Investment in Young People Keen to Join the Industry.

Given That These Schemes Are Loans That Are Repaid to Government With Interest, It Appears to Be a Win-win for the Student and the Nation. It is Important That Such Loans Are Not Provided to Students of University-based Flying Schools Only, but to Any Cpl/ Atpl Students of a Casa Approved Flying School. While Three and Four Year Aviation Degrees Certainly Have Their Place, the Aviation Training Industry Has the Flexibility to Provide Trained Pilots and Technical Staff Much Faster.

The Aviation Industry Must Drive Its Training and Labour Needs, Rather Than Simply Adopting the More Extended Approaches of the Tertiary Education Sector.

It is Also Important That We, as an Industry, Do More to Make the Industry Attractive to Young People, Professionally, Economically and in Their Family Lives. It is Not a Matter of Making Things Easy but Understanding That Aviation is in Danger of Being Seen as ‘old Hat’ by Many Young People.

In Reality, Nothing is Further From the Truth, but Other Industries Are Often Ahead of Aviation in Their Marketing to Motivated Young People. Most Young People Today Are Very Comfortable With New Technology and Yet Do Not Seem to Have Been Exposed to the Latest Developments in Aviation Nor the Professions That Develop, Use and Support This Exciting Technology. It is Time to Turn This Perception Around.

Reg Reform

Feedback From Raaa Members Indicates Clearly That Casa’s Regulatory Reform Process Must Soon Reach a Conclusion, or Long Standing Regional Industry Participants Will Withdraw From the Consultations. It is a New Face, Old Problems Understood That This is a Difficult Reform Process, but It Has Been Underway for Over 20 Years and the Industry is Demanding a Settled Body of Regulations. Industry Participants May Regain Their Enthusiasm for Further Regulatory Reform When This Initial Set of New Regulations is Delivered. Closure is Needed Urgently on This Stage of the Process if the Regional Aviation Industry is to Remain Engaged.

Convention Time

Once Again, the Raaa is Holding Its National Convention at the Hyatt Coolum Over September 17- 19. With Over 300 Delegates Expected to Attend It is a Great Opportunity to Discuss Aviation, to Network and Present Your Products.

I Look Forward to Meeting Many of You There.