The Golden Cushion handicap.
AKA the Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) one horse race – winner take all. Can't get anything from 'the Bookie' – shop closed. But, it occurred to me, so I did a quick ring -around, just to confirm that very few realise the 'power' that the one sat on the Golden Cushion has; or, just how very important the job is.
Take a wide view – 'government' cannot, even if there was a collective will to do so, change the regulator – shit scared that the 'do-do' will land on them; and, they do so enjoy their 'bipartisan' rubber stamp and 'get out of jail' cards.
The 'departments' may influence – but to ring in the changes, they must convince not only a minister; but his 'advisors' and his party that 'aviation safety' has become nothing more than a rip-off and the 'government' has been fully aware – by the gentle squeezing applied to their balls – that any aviation accident will end up as their responsibility. So can the idea that senior 'crat's will weigh in with any sort of 'stand up' advice. Forget it.
Which leaves industry to bring home the truth – but which industry? Not the 'heavies' – they can and do tell CASA to go boil their heads with the impunity borne of experience, expertise and a solid track record. The 'Charter' market players and 'light' regional air services are, whether they like it or not, subservient to the dictates of CASA. They stay alive and working simply because they have learned to 'go along' to 'get along' – no matter what the ridiculous imposts are inflicted; terrified to raise even the smallest objection to the lunacy of Part 61. That leaves the 'light' end of town; standing alone; baying at the moon or howling in the wilderness. Talk about a knife to a gunfight – Sheesh!
However – with the right DAS – this could all change, almost overnight. Directing – as 'the' director, the way matters aeronautical shall – henceforth – be managed. Convincing the 'minister' de jour that the way out of the pits of poverty hell is 'this way'. Quietly, but with purpose, changing the mind set of his minions and discarding the manic, paranoid advice from 'legal'. A decent DAS could, with very little effort, in almost a heart beat, see this nations aviation industry struggle out of the swamps, free to make their own way toward a thriving business entity employing thousands – producing home grow pilots and engineers (can't call 'em mechanics) not the pitiful handful keeping their jobs by the skin of their teeth.
It all comes down to 'the right man' – on the Golden Cushion, clutching the poison chalice with both hands – unafraid to lead – on not too shabby a stipend – the aviation industry out of the mists and swamps, grown stagnant by decades of self aggrandising mental bantam weights.
Make no mistake – the next DAS can make or break the fortunes of aviation in this once proud land. Let us all hope the powers that be back the right animal in a one horse race.
'K' refuses to 'make the book' – not for lack of entries – but for what will follow if another, like St Commode and his merry little band of mates gain the ascendancy. The book for the result of that travesty occurring is alive, well and in complete control. The long (long) odds favourite is for the USA to 'assist; second is the Kiwi (similar odds) first eleven to step in and assist the next minister. By the by; you can't get better than 5/1 odds on for a new minister – once this bloody virus thing is over. Gone Goose top weight favourite.
That's my bit done – FWIW. The eight hour rule is now irrelevant - “Yes please – and, on the ministers tab – “Cheers”......
![[Image: Untitled%2B2.jpg]](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm_HajunJBQ/Vuc7mMGoOSI/AAAAAAAAISU/PLJPRoRPvKUtliZvp7KwgHIZKQm9J3TpQ/s1600/Untitled%2B2.jpg)
AKA the Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) one horse race – winner take all. Can't get anything from 'the Bookie' – shop closed. But, it occurred to me, so I did a quick ring -around, just to confirm that very few realise the 'power' that the one sat on the Golden Cushion has; or, just how very important the job is.
Take a wide view – 'government' cannot, even if there was a collective will to do so, change the regulator – shit scared that the 'do-do' will land on them; and, they do so enjoy their 'bipartisan' rubber stamp and 'get out of jail' cards.
The 'departments' may influence – but to ring in the changes, they must convince not only a minister; but his 'advisors' and his party that 'aviation safety' has become nothing more than a rip-off and the 'government' has been fully aware – by the gentle squeezing applied to their balls – that any aviation accident will end up as their responsibility. So can the idea that senior 'crat's will weigh in with any sort of 'stand up' advice. Forget it.
Which leaves industry to bring home the truth – but which industry? Not the 'heavies' – they can and do tell CASA to go boil their heads with the impunity borne of experience, expertise and a solid track record. The 'Charter' market players and 'light' regional air services are, whether they like it or not, subservient to the dictates of CASA. They stay alive and working simply because they have learned to 'go along' to 'get along' – no matter what the ridiculous imposts are inflicted; terrified to raise even the smallest objection to the lunacy of Part 61. That leaves the 'light' end of town; standing alone; baying at the moon or howling in the wilderness. Talk about a knife to a gunfight – Sheesh!
However – with the right DAS – this could all change, almost overnight. Directing – as 'the' director, the way matters aeronautical shall – henceforth – be managed. Convincing the 'minister' de jour that the way out of the pits of poverty hell is 'this way'. Quietly, but with purpose, changing the mind set of his minions and discarding the manic, paranoid advice from 'legal'. A decent DAS could, with very little effort, in almost a heart beat, see this nations aviation industry struggle out of the swamps, free to make their own way toward a thriving business entity employing thousands – producing home grow pilots and engineers (can't call 'em mechanics) not the pitiful handful keeping their jobs by the skin of their teeth.
It all comes down to 'the right man' – on the Golden Cushion, clutching the poison chalice with both hands – unafraid to lead – on not too shabby a stipend – the aviation industry out of the mists and swamps, grown stagnant by decades of self aggrandising mental bantam weights.
Make no mistake – the next DAS can make or break the fortunes of aviation in this once proud land. Let us all hope the powers that be back the right animal in a one horse race.
'K' refuses to 'make the book' – not for lack of entries – but for what will follow if another, like St Commode and his merry little band of mates gain the ascendancy. The book for the result of that travesty occurring is alive, well and in complete control. The long (long) odds favourite is for the USA to 'assist; second is the Kiwi (similar odds) first eleven to step in and assist the next minister. By the by; you can't get better than 5/1 odds on for a new minister – once this bloody virus thing is over. Gone Goose top weight favourite.
That's my bit done – FWIW. The eight hour rule is now irrelevant - “Yes please – and, on the ministers tab – “Cheers”......