Twas on the bridge at midnight.

Paul Revere midnight ride | Paul revere midnight ride poem
“Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere”

Twas on the bridge at midnight. – AP forum version.

“I wonder” say’s an aviation savvy visitor “why more of your GA industry isn’t on this list”. It was one of those occasions where you bump into a mate you’ve not seen in a while and there is time for coffee and natter. The conversation had turned to ‘the reform’ proposal and the ins and outs of the thing. But, his question struck a chord; which I thought about as the chauffeured Mercedes (bus) took me home from town. Of course, with being from overseas he has an entirely different view of what GA is. Australian GA has an image problem, which is not self generated but one which has been carefully nurtured by the dark forces opposing ‘change’. Ask your neighbour what GA means to them – if they have a clue then you’ll get an answer something like “ Oh that’s those old farts in Towelling hats and long socks who go out and fly for fun – hobbyists, thrill seekers and Wannabe’s in small aircraft.

“Here too it’s masquerade, I find:
As everywhere, the dance of mind.
I grasped a lovely masked procession,
And caught things from a horror show…
I’d gladly settle for a false impression,
If it would last a little longer, though.”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This is so wrong; but I have no doubt various ministers hold or have held a similar misconception as fact. So, it becomes important to disavow the decision makes of this notion. GA is no tuppence-halfpenny industry; even in its current dilapidated state there are millions upon millions of dollars invested, many jobs created and some of the most essential services provided to the nation. In almost every service area great skill, dedication and determination are essential. Look no further than our RFDS – GA to the hilt; Fire fighting – GA to the hilt; Police, Air cargo, the humble Metro which does FIFO, the small jets operating charter services; the corporate aircraft; tourism flights to remote wonderful places; all fall into the GA bucket.

All are affected by the unnecessary, complex, incredibly expensive rule set which governs them. The net result is simply more expense and restriction without added value or improved safety. It is a fact that some of regulations actually create an elevated risk level, which, when translated by CASA officers into operational ‘requirements’ become potentially lethal. A highly skilled, motivated, job and service providing branch of industry ignored and denigrated. Time to change that, time to speak up, time to join in the push for regulatory reform. The major carriers are smart enough to see the benefits for themselves; perhaps they could weigh in and tip the scales – even if only to improve their bottom line. Handing over……….

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” ― Winston Churchill

So much for the trivial matter of regulatory reform and revitalizing an essential aviation sector; all the minister needs to do is pick up where his past political party leaders John Sharp and Mark Vaile left off – two decades ago.

I notice MH 370 is back in the news; I flatly refused to watch the 60 minutes show – 18 minutes of advertisement, 22 minutes of some gabby woman flogging the bleeding heart drum and Dolan – live, in the flesh and speaking dribble in expert company. Every time I even hear the Dolan name spoken I wonder why he and McConvict ain’t being prosecuted over the Pel-Air debacle; the old questions of why did they take such risks re emerge and I reach for the bucket.

MH370: $200-million taxpayer funded search is ‘troubling’
2GB.com

Transport Bureau to face senate over botched MH370 search | Daily …
Daily Mail
Transport Bureau to face senate over botched MH370 search.

If Rex Patrick wants to get to the nub of the 370 scandal, then he needs but ask one question – “Why was AMSA dumped and why was Dolan put in command?” Solve that and you may open an interesting can of worms.. But enough.

“A novel is an impression, not an argument; and there the matter must rest.” ― Thomas Hardy

Actually: enough for this day – the forum has provided enough data and research this week to fill in an idle couple of hours for those who wish to get a handle on the big ticket items, perhaps some of the GA industry leaders could weigh in and help make the long awaited reform of the Act, the regulator and the rules a reality.