Caution Will Robinson…
In principal the ‘meeting’ is a great idea. But: it will need some speakers, in particular holders of Air Operator Certificates who are unafraid of rocking their own boat. There are probably about a dozen left who can and, more importantly – will, speak up. No need to guild the lily; just tell it as it really is. This is fraught with peril and would require some encouragement, there is always the next audit around the corner.
Then there are the respected few who are an absolute ‘must-have’. Folk like the Rev Forsyth for example, Phil Hurst for another, Mike Smith another, Greg Vaughan another; Dick Smith another. There are a few out there; calm, sane experts with credibility and nowhere near ‘silly’.
Personally, I would invite to attend, but not to speak, the ‘Alphabet’ top dogs. Too many are suspicious of their ‘agenda’, however laudable it may be. They have taken a position and have a rice bowl to protect; their members are precious to them and their very livelihood depends on ensuring the very best for ‘their own kind’. QED – many times and they will dance with the devil.
I (personally) would not let CASA within a bulls roar of the place. They need to be presented a ‘manifesto’ – along the lines of the Magna Carta.
But at the end of the shift – you still have to convince a basically uninterested politician to tangle with CASA and make some radical changes. That politician must be persuaded that ‘the Act’ as it stands is unconstitutional; that CASA is an escaped lunatic and that the blood is not on his hands.
![[Image: DQtkQ-SVAAA7TzU.jpg]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQtkQ-SVAAA7TzU.jpg)
Take more than a man who wants to slaughter a couple of ‘illegal’ dogs when the country is infested with ‘illegals; and, 457 visa folk taking jobs away from locals to get it done right. But have your meeting – the last one really did a lot of good; didn’t it? “No” you say– well, I wonder why ever not.
But then, I often wonder why our ‘real’ experts hesitate to step up to the crease. Then I realize that experts know what a lost cause is and when to abandon ship. Most of the aviation ‘guru’s have walked away from ‘reform’ – that must give you hint.
ATSB and CASA must be disbanded; the Kiwi’s did it very neatly and have never looked back. They reformed the regulator; then the regulations and have set an enviable bench mark for sanity, economy and a way forward ever since. Can anyone see CASA agreeing to that?
FWIW, I’d steal the devil’s own lunch if KC asked me to, I’ll also help with the meeting – but, will I hold my breathe in anticipation of real change? Of course not.
My glass is empty – this is unpardonable; inexcusable – so, best get off my beam ends and amble over to fridge – this happens when one is home alone.
In principal the ‘meeting’ is a great idea. But: it will need some speakers, in particular holders of Air Operator Certificates who are unafraid of rocking their own boat. There are probably about a dozen left who can and, more importantly – will, speak up. No need to guild the lily; just tell it as it really is. This is fraught with peril and would require some encouragement, there is always the next audit around the corner.
Then there are the respected few who are an absolute ‘must-have’. Folk like the Rev Forsyth for example, Phil Hurst for another, Mike Smith another, Greg Vaughan another; Dick Smith another. There are a few out there; calm, sane experts with credibility and nowhere near ‘silly’.
Personally, I would invite to attend, but not to speak, the ‘Alphabet’ top dogs. Too many are suspicious of their ‘agenda’, however laudable it may be. They have taken a position and have a rice bowl to protect; their members are precious to them and their very livelihood depends on ensuring the very best for ‘their own kind’. QED – many times and they will dance with the devil.
I (personally) would not let CASA within a bulls roar of the place. They need to be presented a ‘manifesto’ – along the lines of the Magna Carta.
But at the end of the shift – you still have to convince a basically uninterested politician to tangle with CASA and make some radical changes. That politician must be persuaded that ‘the Act’ as it stands is unconstitutional; that CASA is an escaped lunatic and that the blood is not on his hands.
Take more than a man who wants to slaughter a couple of ‘illegal’ dogs when the country is infested with ‘illegals; and, 457 visa folk taking jobs away from locals to get it done right. But have your meeting – the last one really did a lot of good; didn’t it? “No” you say– well, I wonder why ever not.
But then, I often wonder why our ‘real’ experts hesitate to step up to the crease. Then I realize that experts know what a lost cause is and when to abandon ship. Most of the aviation ‘guru’s have walked away from ‘reform’ – that must give you hint.
ATSB and CASA must be disbanded; the Kiwi’s did it very neatly and have never looked back. They reformed the regulator; then the regulations and have set an enviable bench mark for sanity, economy and a way forward ever since. Can anyone see CASA agreeing to that?
FWIW, I’d steal the devil’s own lunch if KC asked me to, I’ll also help with the meeting – but, will I hold my breathe in anticipation of real change? Of course not.
My glass is empty – this is unpardonable; inexcusable – so, best get off my beam ends and amble over to fridge – this happens when one is home alone.