“The writing on the wall.”
That phrase comes from the Bible (Daniel, book of) – allegedly; 'twas a warning of a mystical kind, writ large by a mysterious hand. Anyway – long story short, the 'warning' was ignored and the rest now consigned to a form of 'history' scripted by someone in Roman times. Anyway – if you dismiss the 'mystical' and think on the 'point made' there is a pertinent lesson to be learned. In a nutshell, you ignore a warning, no matter how subtle or unpleasant, at your own peril.
“and the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls”
There are a few warning messages, scrawled on the walls of the halls of power; alas it seems the written words are invisible to the wearers of rose tinted glasses. Important messages, backed by unimpeachable evidence, from folks like the former FAA boss.
AOPA - “Mr Dickson went on to discuss how essential regulation reform has delivered a resurgence in general aviation participation. He also discussed how the US is leading the world in aircraft manufacturing and innovation, all driven by reform.”
AOPA - “He went further, publicly calling out aviation regulators (external to the US) as failing to reform away from enforcement cultures that have proven not to work, failing to reform key regulation that has resulted in hindering GA activities in those countries!”
That is the winning ticket for aviation enterprise in the USA, the UK and NZ. Not in Australia though, no Sir. The colossal arrogance, terminal ignorance and ego driven self aggrandising folly of those who manage Australian aviation have created, some believe with intent, has crippled an industry which should be on a par with the rest of the world. The Kiwi's 'bit the bullet' adopted a sensible way of managing the industry and have never looked back.
“And Moses took the tablets and went out into the desert; he felt much better after that”.....(Anon)..
The Australian 'regulator' now has a Spence at the helm, not a Dixon; and it shows. How and importantly 'why' she was gifted the job I and many others cannot fathom. About as much practical value as a chocolate fire wall; yes, I know, all been said before. But fair dinkum, consider the great waste of the 'Verti-ports' experiment compared to the closing of a hospital 'heli-pad' and then define the value provided to the public. What the grown up 'professional' aviation administrations must think of the Australian mess is, perhaps a question Spence and the minister should consider, before resigning, in the face of international ridicule.
“Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.”
As you stroll through the 'corridors of power' you will notice other 'messages' writ large on other walls; many relating to accident investigation, reporting and remedy. The grown up world do this sort of thing very well indeed; P2 has provided a classic example _ HERE_ of how a 'high profile' event should be managed, from the get-go. Take a look at the video; then, if you stomach it, watch the ATSB manage the same scenario. The NTSB pure professional and in control; ATSB compromised the event before smoke had cleared. People across the planet pay attention to these events; modern media makes sure of wide circulation. What professional accident investigation bodies must think of the Australian shambles, don't bear printing. Not only is the top dog a laughing stock, but the 'investigations', the time taken and the reports provided have become risible, indefensibly manipulated and blatantly biased. Maybe our very own Bearded Popinjay could study the NTSB method before leaping into costume and grease paint to appear before the world media, that before resigning – save us all the red face of international humiliation.
“He was become immoderately vain, and little considering the Inconstancy of Human Affairs, was wont to say ‘He was the Son of Fortune and could manage his Mother as he pleased.”
Great responsibility comes with great power; the incumbent minister – like it or not – has at her disposal not only the power to make the changes we must have, but a moral responsibility to this nation to ensure that revenue generating industry thrives. Aviation should be – it ain't. Do something or move over and bring in someone who can. Forget 'politics' – think about jobs and revenue and a lost national pride in what was once a world class system, lost in the swamps of mediocrity, slowly descending into the mud of insignificance.
“What then, will a little fame distract you? Look at the speed of universal oblivion, the gulf of immeasurable time both before and after, the vacuity of applause, the indiscriminate fickleness of your apparent supporters, the tiny room in which all this is confined. The whole earth is a mere point in space: what a minute cranny within this is your own habitation, and how many and what sort will sing your praises here!”
Aye, grim thoughts indeed; but it is sad to watch as other nations stride forward leaving this one covered in dust at the back of the pack; time to extract the digit methinks.
That's it: all done. Easy day today; a coat of polish with fine steel wool and a soft brush, will bring a rather lovely 'glow' to the chest; funny thing ain't it though, I could see every small flaw in the work yesterday; today it just looks and feels great. A question of focus on fixing perhaps, rather than finished product. No matter, there's tools to sharpen, dogs to walk, in a futile effort to avoid the outrage of muddy boot prints telling the tale of grand larceny perpetrated in the kitchen (sausage rolls fresh from the oven). Mea Culpa etc.....(I blame the dogs; they smelled 'em first).......
Selah...
That phrase comes from the Bible (Daniel, book of) – allegedly; 'twas a warning of a mystical kind, writ large by a mysterious hand. Anyway – long story short, the 'warning' was ignored and the rest now consigned to a form of 'history' scripted by someone in Roman times. Anyway – if you dismiss the 'mystical' and think on the 'point made' there is a pertinent lesson to be learned. In a nutshell, you ignore a warning, no matter how subtle or unpleasant, at your own peril.
“and the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls”
There are a few warning messages, scrawled on the walls of the halls of power; alas it seems the written words are invisible to the wearers of rose tinted glasses. Important messages, backed by unimpeachable evidence, from folks like the former FAA boss.
AOPA - “Mr Dickson went on to discuss how essential regulation reform has delivered a resurgence in general aviation participation. He also discussed how the US is leading the world in aircraft manufacturing and innovation, all driven by reform.”
AOPA - “He went further, publicly calling out aviation regulators (external to the US) as failing to reform away from enforcement cultures that have proven not to work, failing to reform key regulation that has resulted in hindering GA activities in those countries!”
That is the winning ticket for aviation enterprise in the USA, the UK and NZ. Not in Australia though, no Sir. The colossal arrogance, terminal ignorance and ego driven self aggrandising folly of those who manage Australian aviation have created, some believe with intent, has crippled an industry which should be on a par with the rest of the world. The Kiwi's 'bit the bullet' adopted a sensible way of managing the industry and have never looked back.
“And Moses took the tablets and went out into the desert; he felt much better after that”.....(Anon)..
The Australian 'regulator' now has a Spence at the helm, not a Dixon; and it shows. How and importantly 'why' she was gifted the job I and many others cannot fathom. About as much practical value as a chocolate fire wall; yes, I know, all been said before. But fair dinkum, consider the great waste of the 'Verti-ports' experiment compared to the closing of a hospital 'heli-pad' and then define the value provided to the public. What the grown up 'professional' aviation administrations must think of the Australian mess is, perhaps a question Spence and the minister should consider, before resigning, in the face of international ridicule.
“Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.”
As you stroll through the 'corridors of power' you will notice other 'messages' writ large on other walls; many relating to accident investigation, reporting and remedy. The grown up world do this sort of thing very well indeed; P2 has provided a classic example _ HERE_ of how a 'high profile' event should be managed, from the get-go. Take a look at the video; then, if you stomach it, watch the ATSB manage the same scenario. The NTSB pure professional and in control; ATSB compromised the event before smoke had cleared. People across the planet pay attention to these events; modern media makes sure of wide circulation. What professional accident investigation bodies must think of the Australian shambles, don't bear printing. Not only is the top dog a laughing stock, but the 'investigations', the time taken and the reports provided have become risible, indefensibly manipulated and blatantly biased. Maybe our very own Bearded Popinjay could study the NTSB method before leaping into costume and grease paint to appear before the world media, that before resigning – save us all the red face of international humiliation.
“He was become immoderately vain, and little considering the Inconstancy of Human Affairs, was wont to say ‘He was the Son of Fortune and could manage his Mother as he pleased.”
Great responsibility comes with great power; the incumbent minister – like it or not – has at her disposal not only the power to make the changes we must have, but a moral responsibility to this nation to ensure that revenue generating industry thrives. Aviation should be – it ain't. Do something or move over and bring in someone who can. Forget 'politics' – think about jobs and revenue and a lost national pride in what was once a world class system, lost in the swamps of mediocrity, slowly descending into the mud of insignificance.
“What then, will a little fame distract you? Look at the speed of universal oblivion, the gulf of immeasurable time both before and after, the vacuity of applause, the indiscriminate fickleness of your apparent supporters, the tiny room in which all this is confined. The whole earth is a mere point in space: what a minute cranny within this is your own habitation, and how many and what sort will sing your praises here!”
Aye, grim thoughts indeed; but it is sad to watch as other nations stride forward leaving this one covered in dust at the back of the pack; time to extract the digit methinks.
That's it: all done. Easy day today; a coat of polish with fine steel wool and a soft brush, will bring a rather lovely 'glow' to the chest; funny thing ain't it though, I could see every small flaw in the work yesterday; today it just looks and feels great. A question of focus on fixing perhaps, rather than finished product. No matter, there's tools to sharpen, dogs to walk, in a futile effort to avoid the outrage of muddy boot prints telling the tale of grand larceny perpetrated in the kitchen (sausage rolls fresh from the oven). Mea Culpa etc.....(I blame the dogs; they smelled 'em first).......
Selah...