Sunshine and storm clouds

The Avalon Airshow will offer its usual mix of high quality defence and civil aviation products. It will be interesting to see if the right balance has been struck given grumbles that the former appeared to dominate the latter at recent shows. To be fair, some of this imbalance was redressed at the 2013 event and there are good signs for 2015.

Avalon remains the nation’s premier aviation showcase, for both defence and civil companies, and much can be learnt about the industry’s health through attending the forums and hearing where the industry’simmediate future may lie.

There are also signs that the commercial aviation training sector is beginning to realise its potential with the major flight academies slated for growth. This had to happen eventually given Australia’s unique and relatively open training environment. The decrease in the Aussie dollar will further encourage student pilots and engineers to our shores.

There are serious discussions underway to offer degree level courses for prospective aircraft engineers. This is already happening overseas and, if it becomes reality, will undoubtedly attract a wider range of students to the vital engineering professions. It is imperative that we provide fresh career paths for prospective engineers if we are to attract the best and brightest to these essential aviation jobs.

On the government front, a new look CASA board and a new Director of Aviation Safety should provide the leadership to implement the government’s Aviation Safety Regulatory Review that industry has been looking for. The implementation of the agreed recommendations must be carried out with alacrity and a sense of urgency. The major industry sectors spent hundreds of hours providing data and explanation for the review and are focused, almost laser-like, on seeing their hard work turned into action.

On a positive note, if you are ever near Toowoomba drive a few kilometres and have a look at the new Brisbane West (Wellcamp) Airport. The Wagner team has done

Let’s make 2015 a year where we inspire and challenge our youth.

an outstanding job in record time and has a first class aviation facility to show for it. The business parks are still being developed but they will soon be a major hub for aviation and non-aviation enterprises. The employment potential for the region is considerable. It is inspiring to see what an Australian company can do when governments at all levels work with the instigator on a great concept. Wagners seem, so far, to have slayed the bureaucratic dragon. How they did it should be studied and the lessons learnt.

Finally, let’s make 2015 a year where we inspire and challenge our youth to look closely at aviation as a pursuit and as a career. This does not just mean the pilots and engineers, but the myriad of operational, administrative and security jobs that must be carried out to the highest standard if we are to remain a first-rate aviation country.

Commercial aviation demands first class teams striving for common goals. Defence markets these concepts very effectively but it is not so apparent on the civil side given the far more limited budgets. However, industry can do better and probably needs to increase its presence at all the major employment and school-leaver conventions. Avalon and the like may open the door but it is up to all of us to keep them in the room.