• Regional Aviation Association of Australia
• Recreational Aviation Australia
Some of the RAAA membership are beholding to CASA; not all, but there is a (for want of better) comfortable relationship created when manuals and paper-work are generated to the liking, therefore ‘acceptance’ by the FOI. It is no good denying this; the facts are there for all to see; play by the CASA rules and all is well. Innovation and expansion beyond the CASA interpretation of ‘what’s right’ is not acceptable; independent thinking forbidden and to question is a pathway to trouble. ‘Go along to get along’ is the mantra, investors and jobs to protect, the results of even minor discontent are publicly available for all to see. The big guys are not so ‘dependent’ on CASA good will, with the expertise and legal support granted they can at least agree compromise.
RAA Oz have a clear financial incentive to keep AOPA out of the game. That too is indisputable; their last public statement on aviation medicals reflects this.
So that leaves AOPA out in the cold, dependent on others to carry their message. There can be no doubt that they have ‘upset’ a few sensitive folk; but, careful analysis shows that many of those providing self serving advice have been removed, certain elements which offended are missing and the attitude of the AOPA president being reflected is worthy of our respect. AOPA is a voice which speaks for many; bumpy history to be sure and many mistakes along the way to maturity. They do however exist in a democracy and to deny them a voice in their future must be supported by more argument than ‘they are represented through others’; or 'Sorry, not enough seats". Bollocks.
AOPA is a part of Australian aviation; warts and all. They need a full explanation for their exclusion. I would pay a lot of money to see the FAA try to exclude the USA AOPA from such an important panel – I truly would. That would be a show worth watching. Enough of politics and personalities – excluding AOPA is just plain wrong.
Toot toot.
• Recreational Aviation Australia
Some of the RAAA membership are beholding to CASA; not all, but there is a (for want of better) comfortable relationship created when manuals and paper-work are generated to the liking, therefore ‘acceptance’ by the FOI. It is no good denying this; the facts are there for all to see; play by the CASA rules and all is well. Innovation and expansion beyond the CASA interpretation of ‘what’s right’ is not acceptable; independent thinking forbidden and to question is a pathway to trouble. ‘Go along to get along’ is the mantra, investors and jobs to protect, the results of even minor discontent are publicly available for all to see. The big guys are not so ‘dependent’ on CASA good will, with the expertise and legal support granted they can at least agree compromise.
RAA Oz have a clear financial incentive to keep AOPA out of the game. That too is indisputable; their last public statement on aviation medicals reflects this.
So that leaves AOPA out in the cold, dependent on others to carry their message. There can be no doubt that they have ‘upset’ a few sensitive folk; but, careful analysis shows that many of those providing self serving advice have been removed, certain elements which offended are missing and the attitude of the AOPA president being reflected is worthy of our respect. AOPA is a voice which speaks for many; bumpy history to be sure and many mistakes along the way to maturity. They do however exist in a democracy and to deny them a voice in their future must be supported by more argument than ‘they are represented through others’; or 'Sorry, not enough seats". Bollocks.
AOPA is a part of Australian aviation; warts and all. They need a full explanation for their exclusion. I would pay a lot of money to see the FAA try to exclude the USA AOPA from such an important panel – I truly would. That would be a show worth watching. Enough of politics and personalities – excluding AOPA is just plain wrong.
Toot toot.