Choc Frog – each.
The problem with standing in the 'middle of the road' is you can get clobbered from both directions; however, both my esteemed colleagues have made valid points. But both GA and the AFAP are trapped by cleft stick.
'Professional' GA pilots have little to no protection from 'operators' – and on occasion, they need someone to go into bat for them. Take the fatal Ross Air event; the Chief Pilot had nowhere to turn for 'real' help. Despite tea and sympathy from his FOI, there was no way the CASA FOI could or would, despite the clear and present danger, modify the system which killed three. Perhaps, had the AFAP been asked to intervene, common sense may have prevailed. I don't know, but, the point is that standing alone, the GA professional body has little in the way of 'protection'. Like P7, I too have been party to events where AFAP took up the cause and sorted out a conflict between 'management' and or CASA and crew; very good at it they were. So that's a Choc frog for AFAP.
But, AFAP do have a PR problem these days; the mooted CASA membership and influence (true or false) leaves a bad taste and, I believe the 1989 hangover is a persistent skeleton at the feast.
Then, there are two subtle elements to consider. Would a 'working' pilot join AFAP and have the protection of the award and a 'union' or the AOPA which offers nothing a working man can use. So, while Union backing is an essential, AOPA membership maybe nice to have – finances permitting. This of course becomes nugatory if the industry continues to diminish in size and scope; both need membership to survive – less flying, less need for either.
I can remember when both AOPA and AFAP were a force to be reckoned with and did some very good things; not so much these days. IMO neither, as they stand right at this moment, are worth my hard earned. We have IMO reached a crisis point – it is make or break for working class GA – operators, engineers and crew – time for both outfits to stand up and be counted; make a real difference and earn back the respect lost in the shadows of disinterest.
That, Gents is my two bob – spent as pleased me best.
Toot – toot.
The problem with standing in the 'middle of the road' is you can get clobbered from both directions; however, both my esteemed colleagues have made valid points. But both GA and the AFAP are trapped by cleft stick.
'Professional' GA pilots have little to no protection from 'operators' – and on occasion, they need someone to go into bat for them. Take the fatal Ross Air event; the Chief Pilot had nowhere to turn for 'real' help. Despite tea and sympathy from his FOI, there was no way the CASA FOI could or would, despite the clear and present danger, modify the system which killed three. Perhaps, had the AFAP been asked to intervene, common sense may have prevailed. I don't know, but, the point is that standing alone, the GA professional body has little in the way of 'protection'. Like P7, I too have been party to events where AFAP took up the cause and sorted out a conflict between 'management' and or CASA and crew; very good at it they were. So that's a Choc frog for AFAP.
But, AFAP do have a PR problem these days; the mooted CASA membership and influence (true or false) leaves a bad taste and, I believe the 1989 hangover is a persistent skeleton at the feast.
Then, there are two subtle elements to consider. Would a 'working' pilot join AFAP and have the protection of the award and a 'union' or the AOPA which offers nothing a working man can use. So, while Union backing is an essential, AOPA membership maybe nice to have – finances permitting. This of course becomes nugatory if the industry continues to diminish in size and scope; both need membership to survive – less flying, less need for either.
I can remember when both AOPA and AFAP were a force to be reckoned with and did some very good things; not so much these days. IMO neither, as they stand right at this moment, are worth my hard earned. We have IMO reached a crisis point – it is make or break for working class GA – operators, engineers and crew – time for both outfits to stand up and be counted; make a real difference and earn back the respect lost in the shadows of disinterest.
That, Gents is my two bob – spent as pleased me best.
Toot – toot.