[Peetwo]

"K" - "..Dick did, for a while there make a difference; the fireside chat with the Senators, the radio interviews with Macca; all great stuff.  A little more of that would have put GA on the public map and in the minds of politicians who could make a difference. So why quit? Why run about the place screaming that the sky is falling?  I say if Dick wants out and wants to flog his wee jet, that is his prerogative and certainly none of my business; but, why make a negative statement when a positive can be generated?  Why not use the credibility and talent in a helpful manner. Like tell the tale of the Rev Forsyth to the press, explain the what and the why of the thing; explain how it is being denigrated to an ‘opinion’; explain who is driving that attitude and why...

..Well, that’s half a page and I still can’t work out what the hell Dick is playing at..."

You and me both Ferryman, you and me both -

Ben Morgan no shrinking violet -
While on the subject of the Alphabets etc. and in particular AOPA, I note that Binger wrote in the Australian today: Benjamin Morgan, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association new boss 

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has appointed a new chief executive to help drive memberships and lead its lobbying efforts in Canberra.

The AOPA — which represents 2600 general aviation aircraft owners and pilots in private, commercial charter and airline operations across Australia — has appointed Benjamin Morgan to replace its outgoing CEO Aaron Stephenson.

Mr Morgan is a current director of AOPA and also the chief executive of the Aviation Advertiser, an aircraft sales and marketing service used by more than 94,000 aircraft operators across the country.

He comes to the role at a time when AOPA’s membership ranks have fallen far below its peak of 10,000 members. Much of that decline has coincided with what AOPA has described as the destruction of the general aviation sector in Australia which it says is collapsing under the weight of onerous regulation.

Mr Morgan has been a vocal critic of what he sees as overregulation of the operation of aircraft in Australian skies and has lobbied hard to overturn rules that force heavy costs on aircraft owners.

“With regard to GA policy, it is essential that AOPA continues to work with government and the regulator on the core issues of regulatory reform. AOPA’s Project Eureka, a brief to government to revitalise the general aviation industry in Australia, is a great example of the hard work and dedication our organisation continues to invest into supporting general aviation,” Mr Morgan said.

“It is clear that our current system is not working and aviation is suffering. There are too many aviation businesses facing hard and desperate times. That said, we must establish a powerful working relationship with government and the regulator.”

And from Oz Flying:

Ben Morgan addresses the industry rally at Tamworth in May 2016. (Steve Hitchen)

Ben Morgan takes over as AOPA CEO
15 July 2016

General aviation activist Ben Morgan has taken over as CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

Morgan has replaced Aaron Stephenson who reportedly left to concentrate on private business concerns.

Morgan, the CEO of Aviation Advertiser, led the industry rally at Tamworth last May and also formed part of the Project Eureka team that met with government representatives in Canberra a few weeks later. He is also on the AOPA board.

AOPA has said that Morgan has "youth, business acumen and a strong desire to get aviation moving again in Australia."

Morgan will be working full-time to help grow AOPA’s membership as well as taking a key role in the association's fight to reform of the GA industry.

The AOPA board has also been strengthened with the appointment of well-known aviation Baz Scheffers, the co-founder of electronic flight book OzRunways.
AOPA President Marc De Stoop is enthusiastic about the new members of the AOPA board.

“With these two additions we have the ability to really try and engage with a younger membership base, something that is vital to both our organisation and the industry,” he said.

De Stoop also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Stephenson.

“Aaron has worked hard to help members with problems involving the regulator, specifically with medical issues as well as being a key player in the electronic version of the Pilots Guide.”

“It has been Aaron’s work, along with Phillip Reiss’s presidency, that financially saved AOPA. Thankfully we aren’t losing him completely as he will remain, assisting the board with advocacy in various roles as required.”

AOPA currently has around 2600 members.

Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...xVyx4dQ.99

There is no doubt that Ben Morgan has both the energy and the passion, so good luck to him...


MTF...P2  

Ps Also Alphabet related, for those interested, is my post on Skimore Corner -  Oliver the chameleon? - UDB!