[Peetwo]

Sandy in reply to Hitch -

My comment which is awaiting Steve's review for publishing on his website, or not, tba.

Hitch does well to provide us with the news of infighting and highlighting the issues that cause problems such as the Narromine airshow contretemps. Narrow and mine can be two words that sum up commercial battles in any field and this is why we have anti monopoly law in Australia.

But I take issue with Hitch on his question "how can we convince Canberra that our industry, our community, is worth saving " on his premise that Canberra is entitled to fiddle while GA burns owing to GA's lack of unity.

Hitch, with respect your take on this is wrong and plays directly into the hands of the Canberra cabal that is bent on preserving pre eminence, privilege, exceptional salaries, working conditions and Winter time excursions on all expenses paid junkets, points North.

One could easily understand from your stance, your common thread, that General Aviation only has to mature, and be of one voice, before we can expect any reforms that might slow or halt the disastrous decline of "our industry, our community ".

In other words you firmly, with shades of patronising, put blame and fault onto the collective of "our industry ".

This will not pass;  this overlooks the scandalous lack of responsibility demonstrated by those whom we employ and pay, firstly the politicians, and secondly what used to be known as the public service. Those that we pay and expect through our democratic and civilised institutions to resolve the competing interests of individuals and groups of individuals with fairness. Governing efficiently allows freedom and prosperity.

GA is being tortured to death and in such a stressful environment its a wonder that there's not more internecine warfare. 

Hitch, I could take you on an excursion around Australia and find hundreds or thousands of abandoned airstrips, closed refueling facilities and closed flying schools (Google Earth for abandoned airfields). Yes its good when we find voice together and a resurgent AOPA gives hope, but we are in a fight and to blame what's left of GA for the current impasse with a do nothing Minister is simply assisting the enemy.