Cairns welcomes the application industry

Mr Katter spoke from the heart when he described the need for Australian’s who contributed to the nation’s wealth and not just their own, highlighting the crucial role of policies that encouraged aviation and agriculture, rather than taking both industries backwards. Mr Katter’s generous interaction with delegates after his formal presentation highlighted how politicians who stay ‘close to the people’ are better connected to the needs of those they represent.

There was a strong focus on safety at the Convention in line with the Convention theme of ‘Evolving our Culture’. Both Martin Dolan, the Chief Commissioner of ATSB and Mr Rick Davies , Chief Pilot of RFDS Qld provided excellent insights into how to turn safety theory into practice at the industry, company and personal levels. Both spoke about the importance of a cultural commitment to reporting and the critical role of a ‘just culture’ to aviation safety. Mr Davies provided excellent and concrete examples of how RFDS has given effect to both principles in an operating environment that has a surprising number of similarities with aerial application.

Dr Sven Hansen from the Resilience Institute, on his third appearance at a AAAA Convention, focussed on the importance of ‘play’ in healthy resilience and how this can provide a strong defence against setbacks – personal, safety or business related. Sven’s presentation was a wonderful example of what is possible when a great speaker brings together the best science, the greatest relevance and outstanding humour.

AAAA was very fortunate this year to have the heads of both Thrush Aircraft – Mr Payne Hughes – and Air Tractor – Mr Jim Hirsch – speaking at the Convention on the advancements they are making with their aircraft. An interesting development is both companies offering aircraft with certified air bag safety systems fitted to cockpit harnesses in case of an impact. Aviation is indeed fortunate to have companies like Air Tractor and Thrush who continue to put pilot safety front and centre in their products.

The advancements in aircraft were matched with new GPS equipment with the launch of the G4 Satloc system in Australia by the new dealer – Aerotech GPS. Other forward thinking products were highlighted at the innovation session that underlined the rapid advancement of IT in aerial application, with wireless links between aircraft and the IT ‘cloud’ now a reality. Tracmap and other companies showed how real time aircraft tracking, on-line job ordering, assignment and recording, and seamless communication can greatly advance our performance – and safety. The challenge for everyone in aviation is to keep up with the technology – a constant in a continually evolving industry.

The news that John McCormick, CEO of CASA, had just signed an exemption to provide much needed relief from the metro-centric drug and alcohol testing requirements was welcomed by all delegates. While the ‘micro-DAMP’ approach only applies to companies with 7 or less safety sensitive employees, other clarifications such as a simplification of training requirements for alcohol breath analysis will make a real difference in rural and regional Australia that simply did not have easy – or cheap – access to the previously required formal training. AAAA has been concerned with these issues from day one and has strenuously criticised the intransigence of CASA in ignoring equity and access issues. The new arrangements highlight that better CASA regulation and industry concerns can both be addressed through a better understanding of the difficulties faced by operators who work outside the major cities.

Cairns was a great venue for this year’s Convention, the hospitality of local operators was superb and judging by the positive comments from delegates, AAAA will be back.

Col Pay Scholarship 2012

From a small but very strong field of candidates, Mr Nick Mason has been awarded the 2012 Col Pay Scholarship. Currently completing his LAME apprenticeship with Field Air in Ballarat (Vic), Nick has pursued a career in aviation since the age of 12 when he started in gliders. He earned his CPL earlier this year and has previously worked as a mixer for ag operators.

A key element in the awarding of the scholarship was Nick’s commitment to aviation and in building a well-rounded career in both flying and maintenance that will undoubtedly serve both him and the industry well in future years.

Nick’s approach in gaining engineering and flying qualifications is reminiscent of Col Pay’s own commitment to understanding all the issues that confront professional aerial operators and seeking the knowledge and skills that would enable him to become such a respected operator, pilot and engineer.

Nick joins previous winners of the scholarship Iain Russell, Glen Purdam (currently working as an Ag II for Western Aerial in Derrinallum (Vic)) and Mathew Fleming (currently working as an Ag II for Middlebrook Air in Gunnedah (NSW).