Difficult and necessary tasks

One of those tough calls will be to review the practice of sending CASA teams to overseas Part 145 maintenance shops to determine if these organisations comply with Australian regulations. Many of these shops are already EASA or FAA compliant, sometimes both. The operator eventually picks up the large tab for these very expensive business class trips including an hourly rate for CASA staff sitting on the plane. There just has to be a better way, such as desk-top audits,Regionsfor those MROs that are already fully compliant with recognised international standards. This issue has been festering for a long time and should be dealt with swiftly. Over the years the cost to industry has been in the millions. The practice must stop and alternatives designed as soon as practicable.

There is no doubt that the industry is ready to get behind the incoming DAS and the new-look board, when it is finally announced. That respect will remain as long as there is no reason to think otherwise. The regulator has a difficult and necessary task but it must be carried out thoughtfully, with a cost reflex and an ear to the experienced hands in industry, many of whom have been disregarded for far too long.

Another pressing issue is the ageing engineer profile, particularly in regional areas. Put simply – no engineers, no flying. This must be addressed by the best minds across our industry. The seeming withdrawal of some major TAFEs from engineer training is putting additional pressure on the system. Recent discussions around possible degree courses for LAMEs has the potential to attract a new generation eager to have both technical and management skills. Such initiatives must be encouraged to ensure that we can meet our engineering needs over the next 20 to 30 years. It can be a great career, but except for a few notable organisations in Queensland, it is not being marketed effectively

This is a new dawn, a new opportunity, and must be treated as such.

With Avalon 2015 fast approaching the above topics could be canvassed further at the many industry forums, including one being organised by the RAAA. A sustained push by industry to re-introduce aviation, particularly engineering, to our school leavers is long overdue. To be fair the UAS sector is doing a brilliant job, helicopters seem to be back in vogue, but fixed-wing is languishing somewhat.

If we can get young people to attend Avalon, to visit the regular sectoral events and fly-ins, and even through small scholarships to experience some major international gatherings such as Oshkosh and Farnborough, we may have a chance to relight the interest.

The RAAF does a great job with youth through their Air Force Cadets but that has a military focus. The civil side needs to take a long look at what works and what doesn’t. Maybe the young guns designing and flying the UAS vehicles could teach us all a thing or two as to how we should speak to our youngest generation.

Let’s start listening.