[Peetwo]

"Once more unto the breach../

AOPA are meeting the Senate Committee today. That fact, standing alone, acknowledges the efforts made on industries behalf by the AOPA crew and the hard yards done to get the call for a change to the Air Navigation Act toward the goal posts. No easy task, not only is there a fierce, unrelenting opposition to confront; there is sniping from the side-lines, from those who would see the resolution discarded and AOPA discounted. Not from any philosophical stand point you understand, but for other, less laudable motives. ‘Nuff said.

The committee is essentially made up of honest, sensible folk, we’ve seen that demonstrated over many sessions of Estimates. The AOPA argument makes perfectly good sense as does the call for the buggers muddle we call aviation law to be sorted out, simplified and made sensible, as a matter of some urgency.....

There is bi-partisan willingness to ring the changes, the present committee probably have a better understanding of the industry problems than any other and; IMO, they are not mesmerised by the ‘mystique’ or baffled by official bull-shit.

Aye well, a quiet nod to the pagan gods, a whispered prayer to Murphy and fingers crossed that today, despite the opposition, good sense and governance prevails. We shall see.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;

Toot – toot.

Via AOPA Oz Facebook page...  

AOPA AUSTRALIA PRESENTS TO SENATE ESTIMATES COMMITTEE

The AOPA Australia along with fellow representatives of the AMROBA, SAAA, GFA and AGAA presented to the RRAT Senate Committee on the decline of Australia’s general aviation industry.
During the meeting we discussed;

1. Change to the Civil Aviation Act
2. Self-Certification Private Drivers License Medicals for GA
3. Independent Flight Instructors for GA
4. Adoption of US FAA regulations for GA flight operations

In attendance was;

- Ms Aminta Hennessy - AOPA Australia President
- Mr Marc De Stoop - AOPA Australia Vice President
- Mr Benjamin Morgan - AOPA Australia Executive Director
- Mr Dominic James - AOPA Australia Director
- Mr Ken Cannane - AMROBA Executive Director
- Mr Lawrence Paratz - Australian General Aviation Alliance
- Mr Peter Cesco - GFA President

NOT A MEMBER? WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Join today: www.aopa.com.au/membership

AOPA Australia | Your Freedom to Fly

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[url=https://www.facebook.com/AOPAaustralia/photos/pcb.1358546537609601/1358538344277087/?type=3]

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Ben Wyndham  - A fellow Chief Pilot/CFI told me today he is quitting GA. He gives our industry sector 18 months-2years before total collapse

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Ian Carfrae - Ben Wyndham I think he is about right. There will be a few private operations for the High Net Worth All that will be left are the Chinese owned or operated for , flying schools and a couple of airline owned operations. Private Light GA will disappear. 

CASA has planned the demise of ga, either deliberately or through ignorance. It is perfect storm of thuggish overregulation and the resultant cost blowouts.

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Ian Tucker - Good work AOPA, keep it up, surely the message must be getting through.

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Jonathon Grahame - Keep driving the message home - Benjamin Morgan - the local aviation industry needs the support more than ever along with the Australian public . When RPT operations in regional areas start to disappear along with aeromedical services and aerial fire bombing services it will be too late .

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Ran Mcf - Well done to all for putting a little heat to the Government ‘s feet

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&..

AOPA AUSTRALIA MEETS LABOR’S SENATOR STERLE
Many thanks to Labor’s Senator Sterle for his time today at the Senate Estimates Committee hearing. The meeting was a great opportunity and we appreciated the Senator’s time.

We are looking forward to spending more time with the Senator in the coming weeks.

NOT A MEMBER? WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Join today: www.aopa.com.au/membership
AOPA Australia | Your Freedom to Fly

MTF...P2