Strength in diversity

With global passenger traffic expected to double in the next 15 years, there will be many great career development opportunities for airport staff as we grow.

We will need the very best women and men to meet this demand, and the AAA is absolutely committed to ensuring gender diversity is a clear focus as we prepare for this growth.

The WIAN aims to support the participation and advancement of women in operations, management and senior leadership roles.

Our LinkedIn group is already gathering a strong following and creating a real sense of community around these issues.

Of course, we expect to take the network into the real world as well, with a Women in Airports Forum to coincide with the AAA National Conference in November.

This will extend the traditional Women in Airports breakfast to provide more content and networking opportunities for the network.

It will also provide an opportunity for detailed discussion on how to best achieve greater gender diversity at airports across Australia and New Zealand, to drive tangible actions in the future.

The need for a network such as this is clear and feeds into a broader, global conversation.

‘The need for a network such as this is clear’

Last year, the inaugural ICAO Global Aviation Gender Summit identified the importance of gender diversity in aviation, and looked at ways to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality.

Among the findings was the need for coaching and mentoring for women and girls. I am hopeful the WIAN community will start paving the way for the AAA to support those efforts.

Another was the need for marketing and recruitment efforts targeting women and girls, so they are aware of the many rewarding careers available to them in aviation.

That need is one of the reasons the AAA also welcomed the establishment of the Federal Government’s $4 million Women in Aviation initiative in March.

The initiative will fund a range of programs to engage women and target school-aged students and their parents about careers in aviation.

That is an important step for the broader aviation industry and it is great to see the Government investing in future careers for women in this way.

To be part of WIAN, search for the network on LinkedIn and request to join the group.

Visibility at last

Industry gets a seat at the reform table

Industry will, at last, begin to have not only visibility of but also the opportunity to contribute to the maintenance requirements for CASR Part 135 operators as they transition from charter. In fact, it is better than that as CASA has committed to a safety sector risk profile on all current continuing airworthiness and maintenance requirements under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Sensibly, this will be used to inform the regulatory reform program for continuing airworthiness and maintenance requirements for the private, aerial work and charter sectors of the industry. CASA is planning on conducting workshops with industry during May and June.

Passenger numbers

Cessna 208 and B200 operators have been restricted to nine passengers in IMC. As part of its review and support for CASA’s new flight operations regulations, the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) recommended that CASA review the passenger seat limits for the smaller aeroplane (Part 135) regulations. During April, the ASAP expects to re-convene the Part 135 technical working group they established last year. The working group will be asked to assist CASA to develop a terms of reference for an independent review of the safety risks.

This work will inform CASA’s review of the passenger limits.

The RAAA now looks forward to continuing to work closely with CASA on a deliberate and objective review of the most appropriate regulatory approach to the new operational and emerging maintenance requirements for Part 135 operators, the private, aerial work sectors, and the maintenance repair organisations.

Annual convention

We are approaching the end of our planning for the RAAA annual convention to be held again at the RACV on the Gold Coast between October 28 and 30. This year we are celebrating 40 years as an association and our 20th annual convention, so we are excited about these important milestones in our history! Consider getting on board as our marketing plan leading up to and during our convention provides an opportunity to raise your profile and maintain high visibility among specialists and decision-makers.

Your company will be exposed to an influential audience in an educational environment away from the competition of everyday distractions.

‘RAAA now looks forward to continuing to work closely with CASA’

Support for fresh talent entering the industry is as easy as providing a scholarship to current apprentices, university students and trainee pilots.

Previous scholarships have been provided by organisations including Jeppesen Australia, Hawker Pacific, Ansett Training, Moorabbin Flying Services, AVSUPER, Bankstown airport and Basair. Scholarships range between $5k and $7. 5k.

Strategy vacuum

Aviation policy critical for the long haul

Warren Truss, former Leader of the National Party, used the phrase ‘you can’t fatten a pig on market day’. It’s a pity more people in government don’t pay attention to the simple power of this concept when they are fi rst elected.

Detailed policy work based on comprehensive consultation and a deep understanding of the issues will always deliver better outcomes for the nation than a thought bubble invented for a moment of positive coverage in a campaign – as welcome as some of them may be! While policy development has been undertaken by industry through organisations such as TAAAF and the GA Advisory Group, there has been little policy drive from any political party.

It’s not like there is any shortage of issues across aviation – training pathways, legislative shortcomings, CASA costs and ineffi ciency, complexity of new rules, airports, maintenance rules, regional equity and access, drone safety, integration of better technology – to name a few.

A national aviation policy – preferably bipartisan at least in its existence and built on industry engagement and expertise – should be a very non-controversial initiative all sides of politics can support.

The aviation industry will prosper if it is underpinned by a stable, long-term national approach that addresses real issues – both existing and emerging. Australian aviation can then be positioned better to take advantage of our existing and future skills base, facilities, good weather and geography.

Without a strategy, we will miss this generational opportunity and sink as a rudderless, reactive, hamstrung industry dependent on whatever crumbs fall from the political table.

It’s only by understanding good policy takes time and engagement that political types will start to rebuild credibility in our government systems and our representation.

AAAA Convention The AAAA Convention will be held in the Hunter Valley in the fi rst week of June 2019 at the Crown Plaza. The only aerial application trade show in Australia is sold out, a terrifi c array of speakers has been organised and a range of supporting events including safety training is scheduled.

‘It’s not like there is any shortage of issues across aviation’

This is the best opportunity for anyone involved in aerial application to keep up to speed with the latest developments, make new contacts and enjoy a few days working on your business instead of in it.

Details including a full program and registration forms are on the new AAAA website at www.aaaa.org.au.

Focus on priorities

Putting the must into mustering and more

Aerial mustering is an essential part of life on our large Outback stations.

The work requires a high skill level, the hours are long and the conditions can be trying.

Both commercial and private operations need complete focus from their pilots and support teams.

The AHIA is working with CASA to ensure mustering training standards are at a level that ensures new pilots receive the best entry training possible, and that the regular checking regime is fi t for purpose. There is no crisis, but any system can be improved and the AHIA views mustering training to be a high priority. We want many young people to join our industry and it is essential that training standards keep pace with trainees’ expectations.

The federal election is now rushing at us and, as usual, civil aviation is not a high ticket item. The funding for regional airports is welcome as well as the new focus on apprenticeships. The latter issue has been sadly neglected for many years. It is particularly important for the helicopter industry to attract new engineers. The engineer demographic is ageing but the work is still highly engaging.

The rotary world is expanding and changing rapidly with many new airframes arriving and under design. It is quite possibly the best aeronautical space to work in at the moment.

Where we have fallen down is selling these opportunities to our best and brightest. This challenge must not be put in the too-hard basket. The industry will need to engage quickly with the incoming government and take every opportunity to press its case for workforce and skills replenishment.

We are entering the review phase post-fi re season. This essential analysis occurs every year so that the learning from the previous season is integrated into operations for the next. The wide range of airframes and the effectiveness of their operational deployments are scrutinised particularly carefully. These are life and property saving services, so not a dollar can be wasted.

Also, state politics must not be allowed to encroach given the national structure developed carefully over the past decade.

We are recognised as one of the world’s leading aerial fi refi ghting countries with our crews operating across the globe – a national and international success of which we should be proud.

‘It is quite possibly the best … space to work in at the moment’