Not only, but also
Thorny - "Flying training is way way cheaper than in Australia, as is the overall cost of flying, which leads to participation, encouraging upgraded qualifications and currency, which drives improved safety outcomes and a healthy GA industry."
Spot on! - why CASA fail to grasp and actively promote this 'no- brainer' has always demanded an answer. The cost of the latest efforts and proposed 'action' from CASA would pay for a lot of 'recent' experience and upgraded qualification instead of a few very bored folk wandering off and deciding that the flying game was not worth the candle and beyond their reach, budget or interest. Familiarity and 'in-practice' are the key, as any airline will tell you.
Take the 'Weather and Forecasting' element of the Spence 'Hub' for example. It begs the question - what is so wrong with the training syllabus that CASA must mount a road show to 'educate' pilots about the topic? There should be no requirement for this additional gabfest, which will achieve very little to a limited audience. The brand new, basic VFR pilot should have the required knowledge to be able to assess the forecast conditions and make a sensible decision. The current system requires an examination pass; if the level of knowledge tested fails to assist the pilot in making a decision; or, provides enough education on how to plan an alternative route, then both syllabus and system are wrong. Tick, flick and forget is not the answer End of.
Sorry, but the notion of a PR exercise, which will not foster or promote a better outcome, at great public expense is offensive. Why not spend the money at grass roots level, get the CFI of the flight school to present a 'Met' night - beer and BBQ to follow at the local club after a Q&A session. Hell's bells; most would do it for the cost of five Kg of sausages, buns, onions and tomato sauce.
Thorny - "Flying training is way way cheaper than in Australia, as is the overall cost of flying, which leads to participation, encouraging upgraded qualifications and currency, which drives improved safety outcomes and a healthy GA industry."
Spot on! - why CASA fail to grasp and actively promote this 'no- brainer' has always demanded an answer. The cost of the latest efforts and proposed 'action' from CASA would pay for a lot of 'recent' experience and upgraded qualification instead of a few very bored folk wandering off and deciding that the flying game was not worth the candle and beyond their reach, budget or interest. Familiarity and 'in-practice' are the key, as any airline will tell you.
Take the 'Weather and Forecasting' element of the Spence 'Hub' for example. It begs the question - what is so wrong with the training syllabus that CASA must mount a road show to 'educate' pilots about the topic? There should be no requirement for this additional gabfest, which will achieve very little to a limited audience. The brand new, basic VFR pilot should have the required knowledge to be able to assess the forecast conditions and make a sensible decision. The current system requires an examination pass; if the level of knowledge tested fails to assist the pilot in making a decision; or, provides enough education on how to plan an alternative route, then both syllabus and system are wrong. Tick, flick and forget is not the answer End of.
Sorry, but the notion of a PR exercise, which will not foster or promote a better outcome, at great public expense is offensive. Why not spend the money at grass roots level, get the CFI of the flight school to present a 'Met' night - beer and BBQ to follow at the local club after a Q&A session. Hell's bells; most would do it for the cost of five Kg of sausages, buns, onions and tomato sauce.