Liberation from barriers

On another positive front there is a new mood of cooperation emerging across aviation. Main players and organisations are speaking with each other with a view to returning the Australian industry to a position as one of the world’s best and most active. This is not said lightly and will need long-term and cooperative strategies from all sectors, including the fast growing sport/recreational, through GA to the domestic and international carriers.

Very talented engineers and technical staff are evident across the industry and yet our aviation manufacturing is tiny by world standards. This new cooperation should encourage Australia to once again be a serious manufacturer of aircraft, engines, avionics and sub-assemblies. If Canada, Brazil and Spain can do it, so can we. There are no illusions about the task ahead but some very determined people are discussing how these goals may be achieved.

It has been said before but it is worth repeating that there is no reason that Australia cannot be the aviation training capital of the world. We have every natural and technical advantage at our disposal. Throw in a competitive exchange rate and here is a product that other countries would find hard to beat. There is also every reason why regional centres can support capital city training organisations, or establish training facilities in their own right.

While the world economy is still in recession there are the first signs of hope as the financial markets begin to stabilise. There is little doubt that China and India will recover eventually and increase demand for raw materials, manufactured goods and services. Their middle classes will demand air travel and it will be up to Western nations to satisfy this demand. The Australian aviation industry must put itself forward as a real option in aviation manufacturing, flight and cabin crew training, ATM, financial management, airport design and safety development to name just a few.

Our government could assist by taking the industry seriously and appointing a Minister for Aviation, or as a minimum, a Parliamentary Secretary. The current Minister has simply too much on his plate to give aviation the attention it deserves and demands. If this is never going to be in option, the industry should be told clearly so it does not waste time in endless industry ‘consultations’.

It is up to the industry, not government, to chart its course and may find it liberating to do so.

Speaking of liberation, as mentioned earlier, try a regional carrier and rediscover why we used to love to travel by air.