What if You couldn't Fly?
Carefully reading through the RAAA submission it sparked a small thought, which over a second coffee became a notion; which IMO is worth some small consideration. The thought was 'horses for courses'; or, the right tool, in the right hand to get a job done. (short ramble follows).
The average mutt can knock a nail in; a highly skilled plumber can make a fist of brick laying; electricians can deal with timber interfering with their wiring plan etc. But and it is a big but; can they cross skill as well as the skilled craftsman in a particular discipline? (yes,yes or woman)? The short answer is no; “let the cobbler stick to his last” puts it in a nutshell. Should you need brain surgery, would you call the local Plumber?
“Tools?" scoffed Kalisti, "Tools are for people who have nothing better to do than think things through and make sensible plans."
The RAAA is what it is; they quite likely 'understand' what is actually involved in starting an air service; running a service and making a profit at the end of the year. The 'money' required and involved is, even on a small scale, staggering and any 'investment broker' will tell you it is a high risk game – ultra high. Many regional air services had humble beginnings; outfits like Masling, Hazleton and half a dozen others which qualify. Even some of the grandest began with one aircraft in a paddock somewhere; cash strapped running on the smell of an oily rag and a pocket full of hope. Some succeeded; others Alas. To start from scratch, these days Mega bucks up front and a great heap more in a sock under the bed (to be sure, to be sure). There are in this wide brown land several 'carriers' operating on 'thin' routes.
“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six , result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery”
The fiscal, operational risks (and costs) are the same no matter the number of 'bums on seats'. This is where RAAA is of value; despite the shortcomings, they do have a 'voice' and enough support to make reasoned, sensible suggestions to the political power of the day; enough to get a hearing anyway. After that, well, its back to the powers that be. Here we reach the first hurdle; Minister listens, staff read and explain: Minister picks up a telephone and calls CASA. Enter the dragon.
RAAA - “We want to try and help shape the aviation operating environment for the benefit of all of our members.”
RAAA - "Overtime, staffing at CASA and Airservices has become top heavy with administrators. There must be a greater focus on technical and operational people who deliver aviation safety services.
RAAA - "The aviation industry still pays for these services despite the shortcomings."
RAAA - "CASA can take months to deliver a relatively straightforward service required to be provided under the safety regulations due to a lack of qualified staff and Airservices continues to be challenged by service restrictions due to lack of staff availability.
“It’s not the thing itself, but how you use it.”
Now, take a moment and compare the RAAA crew, supported by air service providers who not only accept the inherent risk; provide quality service despite the many unnecessary rump covering 'restrictions' imposed and enforced by CASA but manage to survive despite that, and being denied ICAO parity, to this motley crew parked at Estimates –
A master class in ducking, weaving and pretending they are the 'Guru's' of matters aeronautical. Its a farce; almost comical - if not so bloody tragic. There's probably three million dollars a year sat on the front row; a librarian, a used car salesman, a hairdo from hell and carefully spaced apart, a professional 'suit'.
Who do you reckon the “Minister de jour' will listen to? This despite the McKenzie logic and questions which will never, not in another million wasted, be answered fully and correctly. Rice bowls full through ministerial protection. A protection racket? No brainer really.
Brain surgeon required and the Plumber turns up (no disrespect to the Plumbers).
Aye well; that's some of steam let go through the pressure relief valve; soon all will be calm and quiet as my venerable fiend arrives to retrieve his antique clock. I've just enough time to run a soft clean rag over the polished surfaces; it was quite the journey. Good thing it has no ears; the curses flung at it would prevent it ever softly chiming ever again. I shall miss it's gentle ticking and soothing chimes.
Selah..
Carefully reading through the RAAA submission it sparked a small thought, which over a second coffee became a notion; which IMO is worth some small consideration. The thought was 'horses for courses'; or, the right tool, in the right hand to get a job done. (short ramble follows).
The average mutt can knock a nail in; a highly skilled plumber can make a fist of brick laying; electricians can deal with timber interfering with their wiring plan etc. But and it is a big but; can they cross skill as well as the skilled craftsman in a particular discipline? (yes,yes or woman)? The short answer is no; “let the cobbler stick to his last” puts it in a nutshell. Should you need brain surgery, would you call the local Plumber?
“Tools?" scoffed Kalisti, "Tools are for people who have nothing better to do than think things through and make sensible plans."
The RAAA is what it is; they quite likely 'understand' what is actually involved in starting an air service; running a service and making a profit at the end of the year. The 'money' required and involved is, even on a small scale, staggering and any 'investment broker' will tell you it is a high risk game – ultra high. Many regional air services had humble beginnings; outfits like Masling, Hazleton and half a dozen others which qualify. Even some of the grandest began with one aircraft in a paddock somewhere; cash strapped running on the smell of an oily rag and a pocket full of hope. Some succeeded; others Alas. To start from scratch, these days Mega bucks up front and a great heap more in a sock under the bed (to be sure, to be sure). There are in this wide brown land several 'carriers' operating on 'thin' routes.
“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six , result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery”
The fiscal, operational risks (and costs) are the same no matter the number of 'bums on seats'. This is where RAAA is of value; despite the shortcomings, they do have a 'voice' and enough support to make reasoned, sensible suggestions to the political power of the day; enough to get a hearing anyway. After that, well, its back to the powers that be. Here we reach the first hurdle; Minister listens, staff read and explain: Minister picks up a telephone and calls CASA. Enter the dragon.
RAAA - “We want to try and help shape the aviation operating environment for the benefit of all of our members.”
RAAA - "Overtime, staffing at CASA and Airservices has become top heavy with administrators. There must be a greater focus on technical and operational people who deliver aviation safety services.
RAAA - "The aviation industry still pays for these services despite the shortcomings."
RAAA - "CASA can take months to deliver a relatively straightforward service required to be provided under the safety regulations due to a lack of qualified staff and Airservices continues to be challenged by service restrictions due to lack of staff availability.
“It’s not the thing itself, but how you use it.”
Now, take a moment and compare the RAAA crew, supported by air service providers who not only accept the inherent risk; provide quality service despite the many unnecessary rump covering 'restrictions' imposed and enforced by CASA but manage to survive despite that, and being denied ICAO parity, to this motley crew parked at Estimates –
A master class in ducking, weaving and pretending they are the 'Guru's' of matters aeronautical. Its a farce; almost comical - if not so bloody tragic. There's probably three million dollars a year sat on the front row; a librarian, a used car salesman, a hairdo from hell and carefully spaced apart, a professional 'suit'.
Who do you reckon the “Minister de jour' will listen to? This despite the McKenzie logic and questions which will never, not in another million wasted, be answered fully and correctly. Rice bowls full through ministerial protection. A protection racket? No brainer really.
Brain surgeon required and the Plumber turns up (no disrespect to the Plumbers).
Aye well; that's some of steam let go through the pressure relief valve; soon all will be calm and quiet as my venerable fiend arrives to retrieve his antique clock. I've just enough time to run a soft clean rag over the polished surfaces; it was quite the journey. Good thing it has no ears; the curses flung at it would prevent it ever softly chiming ever again. I shall miss it's gentle ticking and soothing chimes.
Selah..