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The relationship between regional and mainline airlines has always been close, but with a disproportionate amount of training being undertaken at the grass roots regional level. rob finlayson
Past, present and future
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Regional aviation sustains community and industry life-blood
It may sound a strange question, but what is regional aviation in the 21st century? A few decades ago it was a relatively easy answer as Navajos, Chieftains and early turboprops plied their trade between the major cities and rural/remote Australia. There were even a considerable number of intra-regional routes. It was a fairly clear picture with small to medium aircraft connecting the bush to the cities – and regional towns to each other.
These days RAAA operators are likely to be using medium to large aircraft to move thousands of high-vis workers between their homes and remote places of employment, often thousands of kilometres away. The traditional routes remain, but they are more interconnected with the domestic trunk routes and the international flight schedules. The intra-regional routes have virtually disappeared. Air freight has grown significantly in importance and is likely to continue to do so.
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What are the implications for the future? Firstly it must be recognised that regional aviation is part of a national and global aviation system. The avionics in even the smallest modern RPT airliner are likely to
Regional aviation will continue to do the disproport-oinate heavy lifting on engineer and pilot training.
be at a standard close to that of the large jets. Modern cockpits and engines are designed to be operated and worked on by a wide range of pilots and engineers, so commonality and interoperability are increasing. In the next five to 10 years most pilots will dispense with paper-based maps and charts, and use electronic flight bags that will contain and display all conceivable information needed for safe operations.
The increasing standardisation is a good thing. It lifts safety at most levels of commercial aviation and is finding its way into private operations, with sport aviation not far behind. This is particularly important at the grass roots end of the industry where the risks tend to be the highest.
So where to now for regional aviation? While the spectacular growth in FIFO in recent years may not be sustained, activity remains relatively strong and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Traditional RPT is a tougher gig, but the new government’s commitment to a redesigned en route scheme is cause for some hope. The marginal routes are sometimes the most important to regional Australia. They provide the services and professionals needed dearly by the far-flung and isolated towns. Modern aircraft are designed to shrink our nation’s tyranny of distance. It is an ongoing nation-building role and must not be taken for granted.
Regional aviation will continue to do the disproportionate heavy lifting on engineer and pilot training. It is the vital nursery for most commercial aviation, but this is rarely understood in mainline aviation and bureaucratic circles. The law of primacy dictates that what you learn first is what you will revert to when you are under pressure. Regional aviation’s long-term commitment to high operational and engineering standards underpins all aviation activities and remains a vital part of the safety network.
One pressure point area that must not be forgotten by the incoming government is the role of the regional engineering shops. These relatively small businesses are closing at an alarming rate yet they have the skills that can keep many regional aircraft operating and providing vital services. Ferry trips to city or coastal centres are often expensive in time and money. Along with the advancing average age of regional engineers it is critical the regional engineering decline is analysed and solutions brought to the table. This could be an early topic for Minister Truss’s soon-to-be announced Aviation Advisory Council.
On a positive note, it is pleasing that the Wagga Wagga-based Australian Aviation Hall of Fame is going from strength to strength. Another nine aviation pioneers and leaders have been inducted along with a special award to Ryan Campbell for his spectacular around the world flight.
It is important that we try to balance the critical but sometimes dry world of regulations and operations with inspirational achievements of the past and present.
If readers know people deserving of Hall of Fame inclusion don’t be shy, jump on the website and put their names forward. You will be preserving what should never be forgotten.
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