[Peetwo]

The village idiot alive and well inside the Can'tberra bubble -  
(WARNING: High probability that a bucket will be required -  )

Ref: https://auntypru.com/sbg-30-08-20-de-battle-of-denial/

After watching several hours (now) of video and reading the many accompanying comments, all singing from the same hymn sheet, from the AOPA Facebook video conversations, the following Oz article so incensed me into an overwhelming murderous rage, that I had to take time out to bay at the full moon...         



Via the Oz:

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Submissions sought on drones policy

By Robyn Ironside


The federal government is taking the first step towards introducing a national policy for drones and autonomous aircraft to encourage greater uptake of emerging aviation technologies.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will release a national aviation policy issues paper on Thursday seeking submissions on everything from the level of regulation needed, to the extent Australia’s approach should be harmonised with other countries.

Mr McCormack said new aviation technologies had applications across a range of industries including mining, construction and agriculture, and presented alternatives to traditional methods of transport.

“We want to enable a co-ordinated, flexible and efficient operating environment to foster innovation, while making sure the sector is safe, secure and considerate of communities and local environments,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am encouraging industry and interested parties to engage with this consultation process, because we know forming collaborative partnerships will be critical to successfully managing this technology.”

The paper covered a wide variety of topics relevant to the sector including the sensitive issue of noise, suggesting a “hard cap” on the number of (drone) flights was not conducive to growth.

“Work will commence to transition to an approach to noise regulation that is sustainable for

operators, facilitates industry to innovate and develop, while balancing the needs of the community in respect of noise impacts,” said the paper.

Electrical vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), likely to become operational in Australia in the next few years, providing the infrastructure and regulation existed.

Uber Elevate named Melbourne as a launch city for an “aerial taxi” service last year with the first flights now expected in 2023.

Early eVTOLs were expected to have a pilot, eventually moving to autonomous operations in an entirely integrated airspace.

The paper said one of the challenges for government was to ensure early adopters of eVTOLs, did not unduly restrict the entry of other market operators and existing airspace users.

Australia’s suitability as a “flight test site” for new aircraft prototypes was also covered, due to a wealth of open space, good weather and low sovereign risk.

Australian Association of Unmanned Systems’ president Dr Reece Clothier said the development of a national policy would help realise the full potential of the sector.

“Industry collaboration and a whole-of-government approach will be key to the success of the industry and we welcome the opportunity to work with the Australian government to develop an approach that enables the innovation of these aircraft while appropriately addressing the risks and impacts,” Dr Clothier said.

Eric Peck, chief executive of drone-powered health logistics firm, Swoop Aero, welcomed the government’s commitment to supporting emerging aviation technologies.

He said it recognised that innovation was needed to creates and build a sustainable sector.

Submissions to the issues paper were due by October 31.

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Ref: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/drones/ & https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/m...e-aviation

“..I am encouraging industry and interested parties to engage with this consultation process, because we know forming collaborative partnerships will be critical to successfully managing this technology...” - 

How absolutely insulting for the rest of a vital but ailing aviation industry - can someone please take back their village idiot?? 

Next REX has nothing but praise for the village idiot...

Via the Oz again:

Regional Express Airlines thanks government for ‘saving’ regional aviation



Regional Express Airlines has lavished praise on the federal government for “saving the regional aviation industry” with more than $62m in grants for the carrier.

Announcing Rex’s results for the 2020 financial year, chairman Lim Kim Hai said the airline’s loss of $19.6m after tax was eased by grants from the Commonwealth, including the JobKeeper allowance.

He said the airline was “brought to its knees” by the COVID-19 crisis, with passenger numbers plunging 90 per cent in the last two weeks of March.

“On behalf of all regional aviation, I would like to place on record our gratitude to the

Morrison government and to the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for their swift and decisive actions that have saved Australia’s regional aviation industry,” said Mr Lim.

“If they were to lose their essential air services, remote and regional communities would have been dealt yet another mortal blow following the devastating effects of drought, bush fires, floods and now the pandemic.”

The federal government grants included $53.8m from the $100m Regional Airlines Funding Assistance scheme.

Rex also picked up $3m from the Australian Airlines’ Financial Relief package and was in line for a further $40m under the ongoing Regional Airlines Network Support scheme between July and September.

The funds almost covered a $65m shortfall in passenger revenue, and a small decrease in freight revenue.

Mr Lim said Rex promised to give back to the community in the future “when it was strong again” in the form of new domestic routes servicing the “golden triangle” of Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane.

“In relation to our recently-announced plans to commence domestic jet operations in March 2021, we are excited at this next big chapter in Rex’s history and we see this as our way of paying back to the community,” Mr Lim said.

“We believe that Australia deserves an alternative domestic carrier that is safe, reliable, convenient, affordable and, most importantly, one that can go the distance against the Qantas group.”

The operations would be funded by either a “sale and leaseback of aircraft” within the existing Saab fleet, or by other interested parties.

“Discussions with interested parties are continuing but are not yet finalised,” said Mr Lim.

In June the airline announced the board had approved plans to raise $30m for a fleet of five to ten narrow body jets to be based out of Sydney, to service Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane.

The significant grants paid to Rex were not received well by Virgin Australia, which went into administration in April with debts of $6.8bn after the federal government refused its repeated requests for financial help.

In June Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah wryly noted that Rex was “the only airline in the world to go from the brink of bankruptcy to announcing expansion plans during COVID-19”.

MTF...P2