Dragon 1 – Hero 0.
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. Macbeth.
Mr Carmody: There are a lot of questions there. I can try and deal with a couple of them. I note the point on declining general aviation pilots, and I have seen the statistics. The statistics do not show the growth in recreational pilots, which is very significant. General aviation is characterised by quite old aircraft. The market has actually changed in the last 10 to 15 years. Recreational pilots flying two-seater aircraft have increased exponentially. So, taking the figures in one hit, it is only looking at one segment of the market. That is one point I would like to make.
In any analysis, particularly one which will be subject to scrutiny by a determined opposition, it is always prudent to ensure that each element is fully supported by ‘evidence’. It is also sensible to examine – first – any counter argument the opposition will produce. The ‘art-form’ is to, at very least, be able to minimise opposition argument, if it cannot be denied. Often it is better to begin by ‘sketching’ the oppositions case; this will assist in focusing your attention in the weak parts of your own argument. Indeed, to defend your position it is wise to seek out the weakest parts and do what you can to reinforce them. For certain sure, the opposition will be doing the exact same thing, seeking to exploit any weakness. An inability to realistically assess the weakness and risks in your argument will ultimately lead to failure. Tub thumping, shock tactics and a belief in the ‘rightness’ of your argument does not make it so. AOPA were counselled to deal with ‘facts’ – all of them; they were also made aware that to tangle with CASA and win; every tiny crack must be covered. The Recreational pilot situation was not a crack, but a gaping hole, a fact, with supporting evidence, left undefended.
Single handed Knights in shining armour, slaughtering dragons, defeating the forces of evil and rescuing fair maidens are the stuff – and nonsense – of faery tales.
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. Macbeth.
Mr Carmody: There are a lot of questions there. I can try and deal with a couple of them. I note the point on declining general aviation pilots, and I have seen the statistics. The statistics do not show the growth in recreational pilots, which is very significant. General aviation is characterised by quite old aircraft. The market has actually changed in the last 10 to 15 years. Recreational pilots flying two-seater aircraft have increased exponentially. So, taking the figures in one hit, it is only looking at one segment of the market. That is one point I would like to make.
In any analysis, particularly one which will be subject to scrutiny by a determined opposition, it is always prudent to ensure that each element is fully supported by ‘evidence’. It is also sensible to examine – first – any counter argument the opposition will produce. The ‘art-form’ is to, at very least, be able to minimise opposition argument, if it cannot be denied. Often it is better to begin by ‘sketching’ the oppositions case; this will assist in focusing your attention in the weak parts of your own argument. Indeed, to defend your position it is wise to seek out the weakest parts and do what you can to reinforce them. For certain sure, the opposition will be doing the exact same thing, seeking to exploit any weakness. An inability to realistically assess the weakness and risks in your argument will ultimately lead to failure. Tub thumping, shock tactics and a belief in the ‘rightness’ of your argument does not make it so. AOPA were counselled to deal with ‘facts’ – all of them; they were also made aware that to tangle with CASA and win; every tiny crack must be covered. The Recreational pilot situation was not a crack, but a gaping hole, a fact, with supporting evidence, left undefended.
Single handed Knights in shining armour, slaughtering dragons, defeating the forces of evil and rescuing fair maidens are the stuff – and nonsense – of faery tales.