Gentle - Hmmmm how does the UK do it? I AM NOT BELITTLING YOUR CONCERNS! My considerable experience in one of the three and closely observing the other two would probably indicate your concerns are understated. (Amen)...Well said Sir....
You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard.
You cant knock in a 4” nail with a banana.
You can't get a spark plug out with a teaspoon.
You cannot, not under any circumstance, allow the lunatics to run the asylum.
To get anything done, properly and finished tidy, you must have the right tools. Those tools must be in the hands of someone who knows how to use 'em. Gifted amateurs need not apply.
Every 'agency' associated with the aviation industry suffers from the same clearly defined malaise. They are all adequately funded (very); they all have the ability to request additional funds. They are all, essentially, independent of political interference and far removed from being accountable to the minister du jour, Senate estimates, ATO audit, ICAO, the rule of law, or even parliamentary 'debate' of any rule change, or even the industry they are alleged to serve.
It has been many a long year since there was a minister who took an interest; even longer since we had a minister who even vaguely understood what was needed to ensure the future well being of an industry. Look around you today at whats left; or check out the fantastic fees paid by our air farce to operate from Canberra. The results of political disassociation from responsibility writ large.
But, you can't blame the Pollies, not really, not for everything. Say, for sake of discussion, there was a minister who realised aviation was in a diabolical mess. The heads of those agencies are hauled into the office – tea, biscuits and 'please explain' time. “I want this sorted out” bellows the minister. “Fine, but how do you suggest we do that minister”? say the three alleged experts. You see the problem; its like me telling NASA to fix the Hubble telescope.
The crux of the matter (IMO) resides with the 'head' of the agency portfolio. For example, like the DAS of the CASA circus (one of three examples available). Compare that to the likes of Jim Betts. Betts may not be 'perfect' but he at least has a grasp and a notion of 'how to'. Spence has no idea as to whether she is punched, bored or countersunk. Yet the expertise and advice is freely available, alongside some fairly hefty 'political' assistance – to make the changes needed and demanded by industry; all there, just need the will to pick up the tools and use them; once freed from the tentacles of the monster which holds her fast. Easy fix, here's the letter we all want to see:-
Dear Industry Participant. (Nutshell version)...
“This to advise that in January 2026 we will be adopting the ICAO compliant FAA rule set; the FAR (or Kiwi version – not fussy). The template for revised Operations Manuals and compliance is available from the CASA website. ”Etc......
From that moment it is simply a matter of logistics; seminars in capital cities with an expert panel from the USA; some heavy duty homework for whoever gets lumbered with drafting the manuals; couple of years hard work, overseas assistance and expertise; and – 'just like that' watch Australian aviation show how capable it truly is.
With the right leadership all three agencies could be doing a much better job. Alas; what we now have, masquerading as 'expert' could not, with a candle to assist, find a cat in a cat house. Want to knock a nail in – try a hammer.
Toot – toot.
You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard.
You cant knock in a 4” nail with a banana.
You can't get a spark plug out with a teaspoon.
You cannot, not under any circumstance, allow the lunatics to run the asylum.
To get anything done, properly and finished tidy, you must have the right tools. Those tools must be in the hands of someone who knows how to use 'em. Gifted amateurs need not apply.
Every 'agency' associated with the aviation industry suffers from the same clearly defined malaise. They are all adequately funded (very); they all have the ability to request additional funds. They are all, essentially, independent of political interference and far removed from being accountable to the minister du jour, Senate estimates, ATO audit, ICAO, the rule of law, or even parliamentary 'debate' of any rule change, or even the industry they are alleged to serve.
It has been many a long year since there was a minister who took an interest; even longer since we had a minister who even vaguely understood what was needed to ensure the future well being of an industry. Look around you today at whats left; or check out the fantastic fees paid by our air farce to operate from Canberra. The results of political disassociation from responsibility writ large.
But, you can't blame the Pollies, not really, not for everything. Say, for sake of discussion, there was a minister who realised aviation was in a diabolical mess. The heads of those agencies are hauled into the office – tea, biscuits and 'please explain' time. “I want this sorted out” bellows the minister. “Fine, but how do you suggest we do that minister”? say the three alleged experts. You see the problem; its like me telling NASA to fix the Hubble telescope.
The crux of the matter (IMO) resides with the 'head' of the agency portfolio. For example, like the DAS of the CASA circus (one of three examples available). Compare that to the likes of Jim Betts. Betts may not be 'perfect' but he at least has a grasp and a notion of 'how to'. Spence has no idea as to whether she is punched, bored or countersunk. Yet the expertise and advice is freely available, alongside some fairly hefty 'political' assistance – to make the changes needed and demanded by industry; all there, just need the will to pick up the tools and use them; once freed from the tentacles of the monster which holds her fast. Easy fix, here's the letter we all want to see:-
Dear Industry Participant. (Nutshell version)...
“This to advise that in January 2026 we will be adopting the ICAO compliant FAA rule set; the FAR (or Kiwi version – not fussy). The template for revised Operations Manuals and compliance is available from the CASA website. ”Etc......
From that moment it is simply a matter of logistics; seminars in capital cities with an expert panel from the USA; some heavy duty homework for whoever gets lumbered with drafting the manuals; couple of years hard work, overseas assistance and expertise; and – 'just like that' watch Australian aviation show how capable it truly is.
With the right leadership all three agencies could be doing a much better job. Alas; what we now have, masquerading as 'expert' could not, with a candle to assist, find a cat in a cat house. Want to knock a nail in – try a hammer.
Toot – toot.