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RAAA Convention: That's a wrap -

Summary of RAAA convention courtesy Avbiz... :

RAAA Conference wraps up in Hunter Valley
21 October 2016

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia’s 2016 national convention will close tonight with a gala dinner after two days of presentations and networking.

RAAA CEO Mike Higgins said this year’s event, set in the Hunter Valley, had “exceeded everybody’s expectations".

“The feedback we’ve got from people who have attended has been overwhelming,” he said. “The setting, the location, the context and atmosphere have all allowed delegates to freely exchange ideas.”

RAAA conventions are often characterised by robust debate, but Higgins believes bringing together key players from government and industry on controversial topics has always produced professional exchanges of ideas.

“We’re all here for the same reason, we’re all very passionate about aviation,” he said. “So it’s a safe environment for key government departments to come and join us.

“The only people here at the conference are those people that are professional, they have a lot of resources invested in their companies and they are more interested in safety than some regulators would ever be. So we’re interested in knowing where these various government departments are going in the future because we need to future proof ourselves.”

Higgins said the conference also provided a vital opportunity to build working relationships between various industry stakeholders.

“Every single government speaker who has presented today is presenting here for the first time,” he said. “So it’s a great encouraging time for a fresh start, for fresh engagement. And I can see that in the presenters themselves, they’re really happy to be here.”

Presentations and discussion topics ranged from new CAO48.1 fatigue regulation to the rise of remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), government regulation, possible future pilot and engineer shortages and safety.

New Acting Civil Aviation Safety Authority CEO Shane Carmody addressed the conference on Friday, beginning by removing any doubt about whether his position as “acting” CEO would limit his drive for progress.

“I have full authority, which I’ll use and full accountability, which I’ll wear for the decisions that I make and the decisions that go with the position,” he said. “My focus is on delivering a firm, fair and balanced aviation safety regulation system, promoting a positive and collaborative approach.”

In his opening address, RAAA Chairman Jim Davis said the conference was timely, coming soon after a raft of changes in regulation and personnel in prominent positions in the industry.

“The last year saw quite a few changes in senior management of major government authorities,” he said. “We have a new chief commissioner of the ATSB, we have a new aviation commissioner for the ATSB, a new CEO for CASA. And we have a new permanent head of Airservices Australia.”

He reiterated the RAAA’s three major targets in improving the industry for operators.

“First, it is time to implement some of the key recommendations of the ASRR report. Secondly, it is time for CASA to get a new direction and impetus from government to accomplish these changes. And thirdly, it is time to get serious about harmonisation with the regulations from other jurisdictions so that Australian industry can compete internationally on a level playing field.”


Read more at http://www.aviationbusiness.com.au/lates...vl22c7w.99

 Higgins -“Every single government speaker who has presented today is presenting here for the first time,” he said. “So it’s a great encouraging time for a fresh start, for fresh engagement. And I can see that in the presenters themselves, they’re really happy to be here.”

In case you were wondering who - besides Carmody - was present from the government and the alphabet soups, here is the programme for last Friday at RAAA convention:

Friday 21 October 2016

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Session 7
08:50 - 09:00
Mike Higgins
Chief Executive Officer
Regional Aviation Association of Australia

RAAA CEO Report

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Session 8
09:00 - 09:30
Pip Spence
A/g Deputy Secretary
Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

Regional Aviation Policy - Challenges & Opportunities

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Session 9
09:30 - 10:00
Greg Hood / Chris Manning
Chief Commissioner / Aviation Commissioner
Australian Transport Safety Bureau

Reshaping

P2 - Well that explains why Hoody didn't volunteer turning up for his Estimates session on Friday...   Wonder if someone got any photographic evidence of the invisible Manning actually being present; & what the hell is RESHAPING...  

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Session 10
10:00 - 10:30
Dr Brett Anderson
Assistant Director, Specialised Services
Bureau of Meteorology

Current and future developments in Aviation Weather Services

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10:30 - 11:00
Morning Tea & Networking
Tradeshow Pavilion

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Session 11
11:00 - 12:00
Marquee Speaker
Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham

The 12th Man - A Marrrrvellousss innings behind the mic

Ray Martin and Billy Birmingham - discuss being Ritchis, Tony, Bill and the rest of the Nine commentators

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Session 12
12:00 - 12:30
Jason Harfield
Chief Executive Officer
Airservices Australia

Beyond "Accelerate" - The New Airservices

P2 - Boring! Heard that load of bollocks on Monday -  

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Session 13
12:30 - 13:00
Shane Carmody
A/g Director of Aviation Safety
Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Modern Aviator Regulator: the CASA approach

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13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Networking
Tradeshow Pavilion

Sponsored by Airservices Australia  P2 edit taxpayer/fare-paying airline pax of Australia.  

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Session 14
14:00 14:30
Ian Mallett
Airspace and Airways Specialist Consultant
Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)

3D Approached in Australia

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Session 15
14:30 - 15:00
Rob Holdsworth
Enginous

Aging Aircraft
15:00 - 15:45
Manufacturer's Session

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15:50 - 17:30
Tradeshow Closing Ceremony

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Function
18:30
Bus departs for Gala Dinner - Hope Estate Winery
19:00 - 19:30
Pre-dinner Drinks
19:30 - 22:30
[b]Gala Dinner - Hope Estate Winery[/b]

   

MTF...P2