But then; are we truly lost?
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."
Tolkien opens the batting quite nicely I think for the 'return to sanity' trophy. 'Sanity' in this case may be judged by true, agreed and contracted ICAO compliance. Australia did sign up, early in the piece and was, for a while at least, a stalwart supporter of the Chicago Convention. Back in the early days 'law' and 'orders' were written to make 'compliance' a clear, easy objective. Sensible, unambiguous with 'latitude' built in to allow innovation - and air operations thrived; not all prospered but the industry was a 'going concern'. Slowly and with some stealth for some unfathomable reason, a dark cloud grew over the administration and the impositions on air operations. The 'thing' we have to work with today represents a juxtaposition to both spirit and intent of the original tenets governing what is essentially, an industry which has changed very little.
The 'old' style of 'regulation is clearly represented by "All that is gold does not glitter."Indeed it is hard to find a hint of the original 'glitter' beneath the swathes of convoluted, complex 'rules' which are as easily prosecuted as they are strongly protective of the governing agencies. Agencies which are detached from any form of 'government' control, required to consider profit ahead of operational excellence and cannot be brought back to reality by the government which pay them with levies on the industry. If the agencies were required to 'break even' that would be a considerable saving. If the agencies could be held accountable for their 'operations', that would improve not only 'safety' but pave the way to operational compliance.
"Not all those who wander are lost;" - yet, Australian aviation governance is not only 'lost' but refuses to see the 'exit' signs. There are many, many of these signs; and many examples of deliberate institutional blindness. ICAO 'compliance' for one; the State Safety Program (SSP) another. Two specific tenets from which money may be drawn, lots of it, all spent on producing massive amounts 'registered differences' which, technically, keep 'compliance' whilst supporting the differences from standard. Why? That would be a good question to have answered and acted on - perhaps by the incumbent government minister; or better yet the 'shadow minister'..
"The old that is strong does not wither." So very apt - despite the pointless, endless reworking of regulation and slippery lip service to international 'compliance' agreements/contracts the 'old' - original texts are far and away superior, succinct and achievable; without the built in hanging nooses which exonerate and protect those who draft 'clever' sentences which deflect all responsibility and liability.
The stanza - "Deep roots are not reached by the frost" may not stand the test of time, the 'frost' has held sway for many years now and the 'deep roots' - those which helped the industry to flourish are slowly withering away. Not too many will have been to an aerodrome at 0600 and seen the queues of aircraft waiting to depart; or at the fuel bowser or in hangers. Fire truck in attendance, fuel truck flat out; no; at 0530 o'clock most aerodromes are a lonesome, windswept wilderness.
There are probably a few reasons, not directly related to 'governance for this barren landscape; not too many though.However, it makes a remarkable graph and presents an unequivocal, clear ratio matrix; to compare the growth of the agencies and regulation to the decline in air operations and operators. It really does make a 'remarkable' graphic descriptor.
“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."
Speaking of a thoroughly nasty 'business' concerns; I must mention the soon to be forgotten halfwit and his Board; Amen to that. Is there now hope that flights into Brisbane will not be required to carry an extra hour of fuel; or, even better - be allowed to make a constant descent profile a norm rather than a luxury. The notion of 'dive and drive' was outlawed donkey's years ago - and yet, essentially; that is the 'norm' there. Dragging a fully loaded aircraft - over the city, in approach configuration (dirty) is not only counter intuitive, but highly counterproductive (read expensive and potentially dangerous). Companies don't care - just bang an extra $30 or $50 onto the ticket price - short approach = ahead; long approach break even at worst. It is a nonsense and now they want to increase the 'tail-wind' maximum - Bullshit; all of it. Purest moonshine, sold by the purveyors of snake oil.
Aye: ”If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”
Item last: one which is well worthy of highest commendation; the other, not so much. It begs what is IMO an interesting question; raised by a bRB member. Both need reading and a minute or two reflection. This first class submission - HERE -by Moorabin Council is worthy of the time - the latest LMH in the Australian Flying magazine ain't. You'd have to wonder why Hitch chooses to sit on the fence instead of boosting the Moorabin sensible submission. I agree with the BRB majority - "if you sit on the fence, you get little, splinters in your arse". Hitch is a long (long) way short of the peerless Phelan; for whom we wish tailwinds and a never ending supply of that which pleases him best.
Delayed due 'Mothers day'. Nearly time to turn off the lamps, managed to get the dogs and myself home almost dry - except for boots, socks and paws. The cat elegant as always, declined the invitation; preferring to share (reluctantly) my chair. Aye; there's a pile of firewood under shelter; more inside drying out. I look forward to the days growing short; the crackle of the stove, the smell of woodsmoke etc. Just have to remember to take my boots off before late night kitchen raids for sausage rolls and cake - (got caught last week - ).
Selah-.-
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."
Tolkien opens the batting quite nicely I think for the 'return to sanity' trophy. 'Sanity' in this case may be judged by true, agreed and contracted ICAO compliance. Australia did sign up, early in the piece and was, for a while at least, a stalwart supporter of the Chicago Convention. Back in the early days 'law' and 'orders' were written to make 'compliance' a clear, easy objective. Sensible, unambiguous with 'latitude' built in to allow innovation - and air operations thrived; not all prospered but the industry was a 'going concern'. Slowly and with some stealth for some unfathomable reason, a dark cloud grew over the administration and the impositions on air operations. The 'thing' we have to work with today represents a juxtaposition to both spirit and intent of the original tenets governing what is essentially, an industry which has changed very little.
The 'old' style of 'regulation is clearly represented by "All that is gold does not glitter."Indeed it is hard to find a hint of the original 'glitter' beneath the swathes of convoluted, complex 'rules' which are as easily prosecuted as they are strongly protective of the governing agencies. Agencies which are detached from any form of 'government' control, required to consider profit ahead of operational excellence and cannot be brought back to reality by the government which pay them with levies on the industry. If the agencies were required to 'break even' that would be a considerable saving. If the agencies could be held accountable for their 'operations', that would improve not only 'safety' but pave the way to operational compliance.
"Not all those who wander are lost;" - yet, Australian aviation governance is not only 'lost' but refuses to see the 'exit' signs. There are many, many of these signs; and many examples of deliberate institutional blindness. ICAO 'compliance' for one; the State Safety Program (SSP) another. Two specific tenets from which money may be drawn, lots of it, all spent on producing massive amounts 'registered differences' which, technically, keep 'compliance' whilst supporting the differences from standard. Why? That would be a good question to have answered and acted on - perhaps by the incumbent government minister; or better yet the 'shadow minister'..
"The old that is strong does not wither." So very apt - despite the pointless, endless reworking of regulation and slippery lip service to international 'compliance' agreements/contracts the 'old' - original texts are far and away superior, succinct and achievable; without the built in hanging nooses which exonerate and protect those who draft 'clever' sentences which deflect all responsibility and liability.
The stanza - "Deep roots are not reached by the frost" may not stand the test of time, the 'frost' has held sway for many years now and the 'deep roots' - those which helped the industry to flourish are slowly withering away. Not too many will have been to an aerodrome at 0600 and seen the queues of aircraft waiting to depart; or at the fuel bowser or in hangers. Fire truck in attendance, fuel truck flat out; no; at 0530 o'clock most aerodromes are a lonesome, windswept wilderness.
There are probably a few reasons, not directly related to 'governance for this barren landscape; not too many though.However, it makes a remarkable graph and presents an unequivocal, clear ratio matrix; to compare the growth of the agencies and regulation to the decline in air operations and operators. It really does make a 'remarkable' graphic descriptor.
“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."
Speaking of a thoroughly nasty 'business' concerns; I must mention the soon to be forgotten halfwit and his Board; Amen to that. Is there now hope that flights into Brisbane will not be required to carry an extra hour of fuel; or, even better - be allowed to make a constant descent profile a norm rather than a luxury. The notion of 'dive and drive' was outlawed donkey's years ago - and yet, essentially; that is the 'norm' there. Dragging a fully loaded aircraft - over the city, in approach configuration (dirty) is not only counter intuitive, but highly counterproductive (read expensive and potentially dangerous). Companies don't care - just bang an extra $30 or $50 onto the ticket price - short approach = ahead; long approach break even at worst. It is a nonsense and now they want to increase the 'tail-wind' maximum - Bullshit; all of it. Purest moonshine, sold by the purveyors of snake oil.
Aye: ”If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”
Item last: one which is well worthy of highest commendation; the other, not so much. It begs what is IMO an interesting question; raised by a bRB member. Both need reading and a minute or two reflection. This first class submission - HERE -by Moorabin Council is worthy of the time - the latest LMH in the Australian Flying magazine ain't. You'd have to wonder why Hitch chooses to sit on the fence instead of boosting the Moorabin sensible submission. I agree with the BRB majority - "if you sit on the fence, you get little, splinters in your arse". Hitch is a long (long) way short of the peerless Phelan; for whom we wish tailwinds and a never ending supply of that which pleases him best.
Delayed due 'Mothers day'. Nearly time to turn off the lamps, managed to get the dogs and myself home almost dry - except for boots, socks and paws. The cat elegant as always, declined the invitation; preferring to share (reluctantly) my chair. Aye; there's a pile of firewood under shelter; more inside drying out. I look forward to the days growing short; the crackle of the stove, the smell of woodsmoke etc. Just have to remember to take my boots off before late night kitchen raids for sausage rolls and cake - (got caught last week - ).
Selah-.-