From the regions

The Australian Indigenous Aviation Foundation (AIAF)

The AIAF is a unique national initiative whose aim is to facilitate the training of young indigenous men and women who wish to pursue a career in the aviation industry (initial focus on pilot training) through the provision of fully funded scholarships, mentoring and the provision of other support services. The purpose of the organisation is to provide ongoing education and training to 20 or more students on approved industry led courses, enabling them to graduate with a Pilots Licence (various categories). The organisation has had and will continue an extensive consultation process with Aviation Industry experts and the indigenous community on the development of this program to ensure delivery of intended outcomes. The RFDS and RAAA members will be involved in the training program and will offer employment nationally to graduates from the program.
The AIAF is moving closer to becoming a legal entity at a pace and is continuing to attract support at the highest levels. We have had meetings with the Dubbo Council and the Prime Minister and Cabinet Dubbo Regional Office. This initiative will see students beginning their training mid-2017 and we already have at least two RAAA members willing to be fully involved.
This initiative will enable youth to enter a career pathway that is currently beyond the reach of most indigenous students. It will provide a qualification leading to real and available employment, promoting economic development and social participation. It is a program with enduring outcomes entirely consistent with Government priorities.

It will provide a qualification leading to real and available employment.

The Year Ahead

The RAAA is looking forward with renewed confidence to a partnership with relevant government agencies. Some of the issues include the implementation of the Aviation Safety Regulation Review, where CASA has a fresh impetus to act on the recommendations. The review of the Fatigue rules will be finalised in coming months and we look forward to working with the review team as required. Professional Indemnity insurance for flight examiners also needs to be pursued, as this issue appears to have gone into abeyance. We welcome the finalisation of the Sector Risk Profile for the large aircraft (98 seats plus) and look forward to commencing work on the medical helicopter and aeroplane sector followed by commercial hot air balloons. The audit regime applied to offshore maintenance organisations and flight simulator providers will also be on the table for discussion.

Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA)

The RAAA Technical Working Group met in Sydney late November and was followed by the RAAA Annual General Meeting and the end of year members’ function. All Directors were re-appointed to the board and Jim Davis was again nominated to the position of Chairman.
This year’s Annual Convention promises to be bigger, brighter and even better value for exhibitors and attendees. We received some excellent feedback at the last convention as people posted their ideas on the ‘yellow brick road’. Every contribution for positive improvements will be addressed in our next event, with a new location to be announced over coming months. Ken Keech has already been secured to give another gripping presentation on ‘Things I Couldn’t Say Before’, and is not to be missed!