And so, we open yet another new ledger for yet another DAS.
This one is not off to an auspicious beginning; there are blots on the first page.
No one likes to be patronised or fed platitudes; we cannot, not as yet, call Pony-Pooh or Bollocks but already the mood is trending toward that and more. The unfortunate opening address and the latest round of Estimates have gone down like a well trimmed man-hole cover and landed with a loud 'clang' on the stony ground of industry good will toward CASA. That was in short supply before the appointment – in tatters now. Consider:-
“I do not pretend to know everything about aviation and aviation safety, but I do bring a depth of knowledge and experience to my job.”
Aye: but from which end? Certainly not from the coal face. What can possibly be learned in the sheltered, cloistered world of secure employment, comfortable surrounds, working with like minded people and all the time in the world to arrive at a politically acceptable decision, on behalf of someone else – and no can to carry when it all turns to worms. Want a 'depth' of knowledge? Fine, take the family mortgage and bet it on gaining an AOC. Write your own manuals and travel the long weary road of gaining approvals; then set about building a business and earning a honest crust from a flight school, or charter outfit or even a third tier regular service. Try that for a couple of years; then perhaps the claim of to 'know' the industry problems will gain some credibility.
“Over the last few weeks, I have heard from people across the spectrum of Australian aviation.”
Oh! well then; that's just Fine and Dandy. Now, having said that, it will OK to retire behind the barricades and work closely with those who created the 'problems' and enforce the rules as they interpolate those to suit their own 'vision' or personal agenda.
We will set aside the bollocks which flows from the "Over the last" & etc. rubbish. All this 'heartening' collaboration, engagement and 'respect' dribble has all been said before; indeed they are now words to ignite resentment and fury – so often trotted out – placebos and patronising twaddle, used to sooth the politicians.
The last paragraph of the Spence platitude raised an urgent call for the bucket. It simply and honestly sends the wrong message. Industry's problems begin and end deep within the bowels of CASA; look to the where the rot lays and cure that; the rest will come to hand as a direct result of that. Anything else is demeaning platitude and a modified version of the same old song. I may add (as a personal note) the coy use of a 'pet' forename, to sign off is presumptuous; I will let you know when we are on a first name basis; until then, mind your manners and show some respect. Adding insult to the injury of using Crawford as your mouthpiece demonstrates clearly - just how far off track Spence has been led already, within the swamps and mires of Sleepy Hollow.
Master Hitch has penned a short piece which is worthy of inclusion on the opening page.
“New CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety Pip Spence has landed at Aviation House and has opened her first CASA Briefing newsletter by outlining her expertise in the aviation industry and how much she understands it. I have no qualms as such with blowing your own trumpet, but if the tune you're playing is not one the audience wants to hear it's still just noise. There is a greater risk; a gauntlet that Spence had chosen to run, and that's to put promote yourself on a platform that currently doesn't exist. In this case, it's a promise of respect. She said "Under my leadership, CASA will show respect for the aviation community and actively seek to work with people from all parts of aviation to maintain and improve safety." Right now that's an unfathomable proposition; the operations side of the regulator has a reputation for disrespect and roughshod tactics when it comes to dealing with the GA community. It's almost part of their DNA. If Spence is going to achieve her platform, some serious changes are needed; changes that will thresh out the dead wood within the department and allow new growth to thrive. Spence's problem is that she has now boldly gone where so many have gone before, and if, like the others, she fails to deliver, the aviation industry will stop listening to her tune because they will have heard it before”...
We shall leave the matter of presenting Crawford as the face of the CASA in abeyance for the moment; just until the dust has settled and the vomiting has ceased. However, it is a rather large black mark on a brand new ledger. Mistake #1 and a biggy.
I hereby declare the new DAS season open.
Toot – toot.