02-13-2018, 06:14 PM
Courtesy Ben Morgan, via AOPA Oz:
![[Image: defd73ab-202e-48b4-b416-b78a71497ee3.png]](https://gallery.mailchimp.com/47eabf9e0a115f7e3cbded607/images/defd73ab-202e-48b4-b416-b78a71497ee3.png)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
Monday, 29th January 2018
2018 has kicked off and already the weeks are starting to zip past.
This week we announced the formation of the Australian General Aviation Alliance, an industry partnership to protect and promote our freedom to fly. The AOPA Auastralia has come together with the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia and the Aircraft Repair Maintenance Overhaul Busness Association, creating a powerful Alliance to unify the voice of general aviation. It is great to see the industry's associations standing with AOPA Australia as we push for essential reform and industry revitalisation! Our Alliance will be working
And, on the topic of unity, the AOPA Australia in partnership with the Wagga City Aero Club, demonstrated that by working together we can achieve clear results, successfully lobbying the City of Wagga Wagga to drop unnecessary and discriminatory airport charges. In the weeks following, a number of clubs have reached out to inform of their situations, with both Shepparton and Bathurst high on the priority list for action.
The timing of the Wagga Wagga victory could not be better, with our next AOPA Australia Aero Club Alliance meeting scheduled for the 17th February 2018 at Bankstown Airport. Information regarding this meeting is contained in the update below and I am urging representatives from Aero Clubs to make the effort to attend. Together we can tackle the issues and make a difference.
A major focus for 2018 is the upcoming implementation of the new private pilot medical reform - Class 2 Basic. During the final weeks of December 2017, CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, announced the sweeping reform of the private pilot medical certification system, which they aim to have implemented by mid 2018. The reform announcement is a major win for AOPA Australia and we are looking forward to working with CASA to see pilots returned to active flying. AOPA Australia Director and DAME, Tony Van Der Spek, has prepared a detailed overview of the new system, which will be published in the February-March 2018 edition of Australian PILOT magazine.
Whilst we closed 2017 with positive news from CASA, we sadly bid farewell to Australian PILOT editor, Mark Smith, who after 4 years at the helm, has moved on to pursue a life long dream of working for the ABC in his home state of Victoria. Mark's strong editorial style and stunning photography helped elevate our membership magazine to new heights, he now leaves behind some very large shoes to fill. Thank you Mark and all the best for your new role with the ABC!
We have already received a number of applications for the Editor's position and will be announcing the successful candidate in the coming week. In teh meantime, your Feb/Mar 2018 Australian PILOT Edition is nearing completion and will hit your mailboxes soon!
Our AOPA Australia 'Freedom to Fly' airshow display team have been working hard over the holiday period, inspecting and re-assembling their aircraft, having returned from China in late December 2017. The team are looking forward to performing for Australian crowds, showcasing our association and message for general aviation revitalisation!
It is with great sadness that the AOPA Australia farewells our member, Sandra Southwell, who was tragically lost in an accident at a private airstrip in north east Tasmania. I was fortunate to meet Sandra and her partner Barry on several occasions, the last being a committee meeting of the Cessna 182 Association, held in Bathurst NSW. Sandra was passionate about all things general aviation and hadtaken keen interest in our youth flight simulator initiative. Sandra will be deeply missed by a great many.
On the political front, our industry is now waiting to see if there will be another change of guard at the Infrastructure portfolio, with the future of the Deputy Prime Minister now looking uncertain. If a change does occur, it will be the third Minister in just 6 months, creating significant distractions and delays towards achieving reform.
Best regards
BENJAMIN MORGAN
Executive Director - AOPA Australia
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Email: [email=%20ben.morgan@aopa.com.au]ben.morgan@aopa.com.au[/email]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
Monday, 29th January 2018
2018 has kicked off and already the weeks are starting to zip past.
This week we announced the formation of the Australian General Aviation Alliance, an industry partnership to protect and promote our freedom to fly. The AOPA Auastralia has come together with the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia and the Aircraft Repair Maintenance Overhaul Busness Association, creating a powerful Alliance to unify the voice of general aviation. It is great to see the industry's associations standing with AOPA Australia as we push for essential reform and industry revitalisation! Our Alliance will be working
And, on the topic of unity, the AOPA Australia in partnership with the Wagga City Aero Club, demonstrated that by working together we can achieve clear results, successfully lobbying the City of Wagga Wagga to drop unnecessary and discriminatory airport charges. In the weeks following, a number of clubs have reached out to inform of their situations, with both Shepparton and Bathurst high on the priority list for action.
The timing of the Wagga Wagga victory could not be better, with our next AOPA Australia Aero Club Alliance meeting scheduled for the 17th February 2018 at Bankstown Airport. Information regarding this meeting is contained in the update below and I am urging representatives from Aero Clubs to make the effort to attend. Together we can tackle the issues and make a difference.
A major focus for 2018 is the upcoming implementation of the new private pilot medical reform - Class 2 Basic. During the final weeks of December 2017, CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Shane Carmody, announced the sweeping reform of the private pilot medical certification system, which they aim to have implemented by mid 2018. The reform announcement is a major win for AOPA Australia and we are looking forward to working with CASA to see pilots returned to active flying. AOPA Australia Director and DAME, Tony Van Der Spek, has prepared a detailed overview of the new system, which will be published in the February-March 2018 edition of Australian PILOT magazine.
Whilst we closed 2017 with positive news from CASA, we sadly bid farewell to Australian PILOT editor, Mark Smith, who after 4 years at the helm, has moved on to pursue a life long dream of working for the ABC in his home state of Victoria. Mark's strong editorial style and stunning photography helped elevate our membership magazine to new heights, he now leaves behind some very large shoes to fill. Thank you Mark and all the best for your new role with the ABC!
We have already received a number of applications for the Editor's position and will be announcing the successful candidate in the coming week. In teh meantime, your Feb/Mar 2018 Australian PILOT Edition is nearing completion and will hit your mailboxes soon!
Our AOPA Australia 'Freedom to Fly' airshow display team have been working hard over the holiday period, inspecting and re-assembling their aircraft, having returned from China in late December 2017. The team are looking forward to performing for Australian crowds, showcasing our association and message for general aviation revitalisation!
It is with great sadness that the AOPA Australia farewells our member, Sandra Southwell, who was tragically lost in an accident at a private airstrip in north east Tasmania. I was fortunate to meet Sandra and her partner Barry on several occasions, the last being a committee meeting of the Cessna 182 Association, held in Bathurst NSW. Sandra was passionate about all things general aviation and hadtaken keen interest in our youth flight simulator initiative. Sandra will be deeply missed by a great many.
On the political front, our industry is now waiting to see if there will be another change of guard at the Infrastructure portfolio, with the future of the Deputy Prime Minister now looking uncertain. If a change does occur, it will be the third Minister in just 6 months, creating significant distractions and delays towards achieving reform.
Best regards
BENJAMIN MORGAN
Executive Director - AOPA Australia
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Email: [email=%20ben.morgan@aopa.com.au]ben.morgan@aopa.com.au[/email]