Looking forward, looking back

That excuse for inaction – or worse, unilateral regulation without meaningful consultation – has effectively been removed by the work of a number of peak industry bodies who participate in the Australian Aviation Associations Forum which, among other things, managed to produce a comprehensive aviation policy to clarify where a significant proportion of the industry saw the future lying.

In addition, the launch of a Parliamentary Friends of Aviation group within the federal parliament has seen a new vehicle for enthusiasts within parliament to gain greater knowledge of the industry and to actually participate in aviation.

A range of organisations continue to work behind the scenes with briefing parliamentarians and senior public servants on a wide range of issues, while events such as the RAAA Regional Aviation Summit and the Aviation Outlook event provide a focus point for particular policy areas.

Add to that the significant ongoing work of industry associations in training, safety promotion, encouragement of best practice and provision of coalface expertise to regulators of all types, and there is now a strong platform for greater confidence in the future of aviation in Australia.

So looking back nets a significant amount of recent work that has laid a solid foundation for improving policy outcomes for all aviators, passengers and the communities we serve.

The challenges of course, come in looking forward and building on those foundations.

Work with CASA to develop practical regulations that won’t cripple the industry or impose unnecessary cost will be ongoing, as will the massive industry effort to inform CASA of practical safety, personnel and economic implications through the numerous working groups populated by industry volunteers.

These working groups range across all aviation regulation areas, covering everything from unmanned aerial systems to maintenance, operations and licensing.

Industry members have been instrumental in removing or moderating many of the CASA proposals that would have significantly lifted costs for no safety improvement. As is often the case with associations, it is the regulatory or economic disaster avoided behind the scenes and with little fanfare that represents some of the most valuable returns to members.

Of course, for AAAA a similar story also applies in other regulatory areas, ranging from control of chemical use to chemicals of security concern, dangerous goods, OH&S and various reviews. The workload with government agencies will remain significant.

While there is reason for optimism that the hard work of previous years may actually bear fruit, there are yet to be any political commitments to elevating aviation policy above the previous negative and short-term ‘small target’ thinking.

In a federal election year all parties and individual MPs now have the opportunity to spell out how they intend to make improvements to the aviation sector. This is the three-yearly exam to see who has been listening.

With an election now locked in for September it will be interesting to see the path the different parties take and how they might inspire aviation participants to support their particular platforms.

Col Pay Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2013 Col Pay Scholarship and will close on April 30.

Col was a stalwart of the air ag, firebombing and warbird communities and dedicated his life to aviation. Apart from owning Australia’s best known Spitfire and other warbirds, Col trained many ag pilots and was always willing to share his considerable expertise. Col was tragically killed while trialling experimental equipment for firebombing.

The Col Pay Scholarship was founded in 2009 with the generous support of the Pay family.

AAAA looks forward to receiving another high-class field of applicants for this prestigious Scholarship. Application forms are available from the AAAA website – www. aerialag.com.au

AAAA Convention

The annual AAAA Convention will be held at the Marriott Resort in Surfers Paradise on June 4 and 5, featuring the biennial trade show that brings together the top suppliers, supporters and participants in the industry.

With a theme of “Skilling Up”, this year’s convention is squarely aimed at helping members access the type of business, personal and technical training that may not be available in rural and regional Australia.

Registration forms and accommodation booking links are available from the AAAA website.

There are yet to be any political commitments to elevating aviation policy.