Green shoots

It is also expected that a number of senior positions will soon be advertised. This will no doubt freshen up a leadership group long overdue for some new blood. There is also a sense that financial efficiencies are being investigated seriously and that any profligacy will not be tolerated.

Given the success of the recent industry-initiated manufacturers’ meeting with CASA, and the renewed focus on Parts 61, 141 and 142, there is some hope emerging. The better late than never withdrawal of the appalling draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) has also gone down well across the industry.

It will be interesting to see if the fiefdoms at some CASA regional offices are to be overhauled. The regional offices are particularly important to operators and it is vital that these relationships are of the highest standards. With a new board and a new director of aviation safety in place there has never been a better time to redraw CASA, and re-establish a strong, open and effective regulator/industry relationship.

On the industry front it is not all doom and gloom. China has committed to seven per cent annual growth which is still huge in absolute terms and will flow on in part to Australian industries. The resources industry is experiencing some knocks but it should remain relatively competitive over the longer term.

The easing of interest rates might encourage an increase in commercial and private borrowings, plus a lower Australian dollar should assist some growth among local exporters. The down-side of course is that the aviation industry imports much of its hardware from US and European sources, and so some costs will rise.

There are a few green shoots emerging in the Chinese commercial/private aviation market with the rapid growth of its middle class. Australia is well placed to encourage this interest, and extraordinarily well placed on the training front. We are relatively close to Asia and our dollar is down. If we can keep the hourly training rate under control Australia should become the Asia Pacific base for those across Asia wanting to fly or maintain aircraft.

Our industry will be significant part of the Asian century. How much a part is in our hands.