The new burden of a carbon tax

Q400s, Embraer E-Jets and most recently ATR 72s are now operating on regional routes. The days of regional engineers and pilots earning their stripes on Chieftains and Navajos are fast disappearing.

While we tend to focus sometimes on the ponderous pace of government aviation policy, it is obvious from the above that there are still some very exciting things happening in regional aviation. If you spend time in the hangars and speak with the engineers and pilots it is apparent how much they enjoy working on and operating these modern aircraft. As well as the airframe and engine advances, cockpit upgrades allow crews to have the latest avionics at their fingertips.

Glass cockpits, full and partial, are now being fitted to a wide range of regional airliners. These advances often include satellite based ADS-B and RNP capability to enhance en route/ approach safety and efficiency.

In the future it is hoped that Baro-Vnav will be available for regional aircraft, which will mean ILS-type guidance (using GPS) onto regional and remote airstrips. This would be a significant safety enhancer for the industry.

One rare, bright note of government/industry cooperation on these matters has been the ASTRA Council and its important working groups that advise on the way forward for the emerging en route and approach technology. This is important and difficult work that must continue if Australia is to remain in aviation’s first rank.

Another interesting trend is that some regional pilots are being picked up by international carriers without always passing through the large domestic operators. While this is good for career enhancement, it may signal the start of another skills shortage period. The considerable investment made by some regional airlines in pilot academies should show dividends as the demand for pilots increases.

Freight companies also have not been backward in moving with the times. From the small but capable GA-8 Airvan to the classic 737-300 series, air freight companies offer a very wide range of efficient freighting solutions to their customers. With the resources industry showing no signs of slowdown, there seems every indication that air freight will increase in importance.

For the young and not so young reading this column, this is a good time to think about a career in regional aviation. It is not about pilots and engineers only. Modern operators must have people with well developed finance, management and marketing skills. In addition, aviation safety and HR specialists are now employed by the larger regional operators.

Australia’s regions are reemerging from a long drought and are home to many resource company activities. The people of regional Australia are enthusiastic about growing regional air services. It might be time to consider how you can be part of this growth.

If you have an initial inquiry the RAAA would be happy to point you in the right direction.