Mountebanking.
1. one who sells quack medicines, appealing to an audience by tricks, storytelling,
2. a charlatan.
Yep: another three long, weary, frustrating years ahead for everyone bar Qantas and Virgin; they are big enough, tough enough, rich enough and smart enough to tell the CASA to 'go and boil their collective bottoms'. They also have the advantage of direct entre (and entrées) to the top layers of government and the minister. The majors also are 'vetted' by the cream of the CASA echelon. Well done; I wish 'em all the very best; earned and deserved. But what of the 'others'; the unshriven, unwashed hoard toiling away in shackles through mud, blood and bull-shit in the daily battle for survival? Alas; There it only one viable option:-
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:”
The next three years will reflect the last; except there is a little less 'hope' in the bucket. Ley will not have the time to fly the 182 let alone assist an embattled industry; the in fighting and 'politics' within her own coven will nullify this along with trying to 'shape up' for the next go-around – when the nation decides. So, what's left for industry in the 'hope for change' bucket? Not too much I opine; that with sweet sod all an odds on favorite.
“But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;”
There are many truly inspirational even motivational speeches made by 'true' leaders; whether or not those speeches made any real difference is debatable. That they were made by a respected, well like leader is the key. It is that element that the rest of the 'aviation industry is lacking; there are no leaders. Well, non with the required horsepower anyway. Study the AOPA in America or Europe; they have a real voice, real connections with and entre to 'the powers that be'. AOPA Australia is a dead man walking, going nowhere; the 'pilot unions' take care of their own and RA-Aus seem to have acquired a golden ticket from CASA and tend their own golden flock – sod the rest (enough said). So; what to do?
Well, there needs to be a collective 'push' to resurrect the 'parliamentary friends of aviation'. It would be a start; the big guns will want to part of it; but there is hope that sensible, serious, informed GA operations will get a seat at the table. There are Senators who can and will 'pick up sticks' in the battle against what is probably one of the worlds worst 'administrative' systems of governance over matters aeronautical. This needs to accomplished asap; how to get it done being the first and most important question. The options left are slim to anorexic; we could all end up like the crew in 'As you like it” - exiled and stuck in the forest of Arden. Which, I admit has it's own charms, but is of neither of practical nor intrinsic value to a declining industry. Time gentlemen; 'piss or get off the pot'.
Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,
Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
More free from peril than the envious court?
Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,
The seasons' difference, as the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind,
Just saying
Toot – toot,...
1. one who sells quack medicines, appealing to an audience by tricks, storytelling,
2. a charlatan.
Yep: another three long, weary, frustrating years ahead for everyone bar Qantas and Virgin; they are big enough, tough enough, rich enough and smart enough to tell the CASA to 'go and boil their collective bottoms'. They also have the advantage of direct entre (and entrées) to the top layers of government and the minister. The majors also are 'vetted' by the cream of the CASA echelon. Well done; I wish 'em all the very best; earned and deserved. But what of the 'others'; the unshriven, unwashed hoard toiling away in shackles through mud, blood and bull-shit in the daily battle for survival? Alas; There it only one viable option:-
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:”
The next three years will reflect the last; except there is a little less 'hope' in the bucket. Ley will not have the time to fly the 182 let alone assist an embattled industry; the in fighting and 'politics' within her own coven will nullify this along with trying to 'shape up' for the next go-around – when the nation decides. So, what's left for industry in the 'hope for change' bucket? Not too much I opine; that with sweet sod all an odds on favorite.
“But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;”
There are many truly inspirational even motivational speeches made by 'true' leaders; whether or not those speeches made any real difference is debatable. That they were made by a respected, well like leader is the key. It is that element that the rest of the 'aviation industry is lacking; there are no leaders. Well, non with the required horsepower anyway. Study the AOPA in America or Europe; they have a real voice, real connections with and entre to 'the powers that be'. AOPA Australia is a dead man walking, going nowhere; the 'pilot unions' take care of their own and RA-Aus seem to have acquired a golden ticket from CASA and tend their own golden flock – sod the rest (enough said). So; what to do?
Well, there needs to be a collective 'push' to resurrect the 'parliamentary friends of aviation'. It would be a start; the big guns will want to part of it; but there is hope that sensible, serious, informed GA operations will get a seat at the table. There are Senators who can and will 'pick up sticks' in the battle against what is probably one of the worlds worst 'administrative' systems of governance over matters aeronautical. This needs to accomplished asap; how to get it done being the first and most important question. The options left are slim to anorexic; we could all end up like the crew in 'As you like it” - exiled and stuck in the forest of Arden. Which, I admit has it's own charms, but is of neither of practical nor intrinsic value to a declining industry. Time gentlemen; 'piss or get off the pot'.
Now, my co-mates and brothers in exile,
Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods
More free from peril than the envious court?
Here feel we but the penalty of Adam,
The seasons' difference, as the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winter's wind,
Just saying
Toot – toot,...