From the Regions

Certainly the 24 members of the forum represent a diverse range of stakeholders indeed, ranging from members of parliament, local councillors and residents to local airports, regional airlines and flying training providers.

Chair Peter Shergold (chancellor of Western Sydney University) led the first meet and greet, setting out the scope and framework for future meetings.

The meeting also provided the RAAA the opportunity to raise our key concerns of ensuring 24 hour operation and the relocation and/or amendment of the current Bankstown and Camden flying training areas. These issues will be discussed in greater detail as future meetings progress, with a lot of collaboration and cross-sectional stakeholder input in the coming months.

457 visas

Changes to the 457 visa scheme are having a negative impact on the industry. Despite ongoing industry investment in training pilots for regional, general and recreational aviation operations, long-standing deficiencies in Australia’s aviation training policies and our burgeoning aviation regulatory framework have resulted in qualified pilots just not being available in sufficient numbers to meet demand. The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF), on behalf of its members, has called upon the federal government to include pilots and licensed aircraft engineers to be included among the list of skills in short supply in Australia, while the RAAA has now made two submissions to the Prime Minister, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on behalf of its membership to the same effect.

TWG

The latest quarterly RAAA Technical Working Group meeting (TWG) was held at Flight Options, Maroochydore on the May 31. The TWG meets regularly so RAAA members can get together to discuss issues affecting our industry, and as such is a critical component of RAAA operations as it allows members to get together face to face to define, review, and find solutions for common problems being experienced from both a regulatory and operational perspective.

Our last TWG included an update on Brisbane Airports’ parallel runway, the biggest aviation project currently underway in Australia. The new pavement will be 3,300 metres long, 60 metres wide and will have 12km of taxiways, and when complete will give Brisbane the best runway system in the country. It is estimated the project will deliver a regional economic benefit of around $5 billion per year by 2035, and 7,800 jobs will be created for the Brisbane/Moreton region by 2035 due to additional capacity.

We also heard from the Bureau of Meteorology detailing the transition from area forecasts to graphical area forecasts to be introduced on November 9 2017. The format of Australian ARFORs does not comply with ICAO Annex 3 specifications, while the aviation industry has also provided feedback that it would prefer area forecasts in a graphical format.

Changes to the 457 visa scheme are having a negative impact on the industry.

In order to align the format with international best practice and to meet industry needs, the Bureau has progressed work in reviewing the requirements to support the implementation of graphical area forecasts (GAF). Further information can be found at the BOM’s online knowledge centre.

The RAAA’s next TWG will be hosted in Perth on August 30. For more information please contact the RAAA office.

Convention & new members

This year the RAAA is delighted to be holding the convention at the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast over October 25-27.

Regarded as a major aviation event on the annual calendar, the RAAA National Convention attracts key industry leaders, regional operators, technical experts, manufacturers and suppliers. It is well represented by CASA, government and regulatory bodies and affords delegates the opportunity to discuss issues and network with these key people and industry leaders in a relaxed environment.

The earlier you register, the greater the benefits you will receive. Early bird delegate registration closes on June 30. For full details on sponsorship and registration please visit the RAAA website or give the office a call.

Finally, the RAAA continues to grow with three new members recently joining – welcome to Concorde Batteries, Pacific Flight Services and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines.