68volksy

Hi Bass, From an accountants perspective there are a wonderful variety of tax considerations laid out in front of you to consider here. The first consideration needs to be looked at from the company's perspective (the same test would apply whether it was a company, partnership, joint venture, trust etc.) which is best done by considering the company as a separate entity. In this instance the company could be considered to be in the business of hiring out an aircraft that it owns. Whether it hires the aircraft to Shareholders or not is not really a consideration. In this case all money paid for hourly hire would be considered income. You can offset this income with maintenance and fuel expenses etc and also with the depreciation of the aircraft itself. The depreciation deduction is generally the most substantial and allows around 20-25% of the aircrafts opening value to be included as a tax deduction each year. I am yet to see a cross-hire arrangement that makes a profit - kind of like rental properties... The tax returns each year are very simple and easy to prepare and should cost not much more than getting an individuals return prepared by an accountant. There's no requirement for Business Activity Statements unless you register for GST which i've mentioned below. If the company performs its operations at arms length from the shareholders and perhaps cross-hires through a flying school or offers services to the public then it creates a range of considerations for the shareholders/directors. If one of the shareholders was to borrow money to purchase their share then the interest on that money would be a personal tax deduction. This could be a very good consideration for those on the higher tax brackets. There's also the ability to pay Directors fees/salaries from the Company. If all the shareholders have GST-registered businesses that they hire the aircraft through then it would be worthwhile registering for GST. The GST-registered businesses claim back any GST the hire company charges and the hire company can claim back the GST on any of its expenses. When you add up the GST on the fuel and maintenance expenses it's usually worthwhile. I would steer clear of associations and Limited by Guarantee companies due to the restrictions associated with these in regards to the distributions of profits. A Pty Ltd company is the cleanest mechanism in my view to achieve the aims you identify. Keep the shareholders agreement clean and cover all the main outcomes clearly (with general clauses for the rarer outcomes). That's a very brief summary anyway. Can't let out all the trade secrets in one go... Cheers, Tim

John, Goulburn is already a great airfield! It really is. If you stay out of the politics and try not to look at any of the privately-owned land on the way in anyway... I still maintain that the incident which is the subject of this thread has no place whatsoever in discussions on the safety of the airfield or the aviation community out there. Your statement that strong, wise, informed leadership in aeronautical behaviour is absent is also a little baffling. I'd strongly suggest that you attend one of the BBQ's - I think you'll find the support for each other and attitude to safety amongst the recreational pilots out there is of a very high level indeed. I also think you'll find the knowledge, wisdom and strength of some of the regulars (not myself I will admit) a most refreshing change to your perception of the pilots at Goulburn Airport. If you are aiming to undertake a cultural change in flight safety then logic would dictate you look to authorities such as CASA for guidance rather than a fully paid member of the "Old Guard" who's looking to buy Goulburn airport? Cheers, Tim.

Hi John, My intention was too remove Goulburn as the focus of this incident and instead focus it on the wider aviation community. Unfortunately, as pilots, I do not feel we can exclude ourselves individually from this community. I think we can individually exclude ourselves from some of my statements however - my old high-horse gets a little tired some days... I would argue that the untrained person in an unregistered and unairworthy aircraft is not, nor ever will be, a member of our aviation community. Unfortunately the wider community and the media do not make this distinction. Whilst the links and friends that the man had at the airport seem to run deeper than his one-time terminal visit might suggest I do not think he could be called a "local" Goulburn airport user. As such I do not believe his actions can go to support any argument that there is an entrenched attitude issue at Goulburn. There are certainly many characters who believe that their way is the right way and they are capable of making better judgement without resorting to law books. There are also many who believe that by placing unwavering faith in legislators they will never do anything unsafe. These two tribes both exist at Goulburn (and elsewhere from my observations) and will always be in disagreement on some level or another. Unfortunately the history of Goulburn airport has been very much one of a nation divided - the three Kings in Glass Castles. The Kings are getting on a bit now though and i'm hoping there will not be any successors. Most recipes generally involve a period of mixing. This in my opinion is what is missing most at Goulburn - a forum for communication to take place. There're quite a few airport users who get together for a monthly BBQ down at Goulburn Aviation - you may have seen the invites posted on this forum. Please feel free to wander down if you're around on the first Saturday of the month as the invitation is always open. It's a good place for sharing any issues that arise. There's no shortage of opinion but we try and stay true to the reason we're all there - a love of flying. Cheers, Tim.

John, I feel you make it sound as though Goulburn is the only aerodrome with any of these occurences? I don't believe this is the case - i'm sure every member of this board could easily relate just as many issues at whatever aerodrome they use. We also all seem to feel more than happy pointing at other people and calling ourselves "safe" because we can see the errors they make and the things they do wrong. This goes to highlight my previous comment in that the primary outcome in these instances is feeding our own egos. It's a darn sight harder to see our own faults and harder still to do anything about them. I know how many times i've pushed a little too hard in the car after having talked myself into the "there's no-one else on the road" mentality... From my perspective for change to occur it will take pilots not only able to see other peoples errors and communicate but also pilots willing to accept their own errors and change. It's not about to happen any time soon...

There's not many people who can hear a word of caution and actually listen. The whole ego thing plays too big a part in the aviation community in my view.

Bit more info: Comp involves flour bomb drop and spot landing in a C152. Cost $100. Very simple competition in other words. The guys organizing it left some flyers with Teraya at Goulburn Aviation. You can call her on 0418 165 813 for the details.

Why do we insist on inventing such horrific activities!

Not sure who you were talking to that said there was no FTF? Teraya's flying every weekend and has an instructor who does most of the GA flying and another who does some recreational instructing along with her. My advice would be to ring her and see if she'd like an extra instructor. There's always a better business result in working together than spending all the time and effort trying to compete for a very limited market.

I mentioned it on another thread but if anyone's interested in attending a CASA briefing on the changes then you can contact one of their "Aviation Safety Advisors" (ASA's) who'll be presenting seminars over the next couple of months at various clubhouses and RSL's around the country. They're free and you usually get a feed also! We have an ASA here in Goulburn who was at the airport on the weekend talking about the changes so if anyone would like to contact her for dates/times etc. you can email [email protected] .

My instructor pointed out the training area on a map and then showed a road that was about 3 miles out (the training area's only 4-5 miles away) that we all give our inbound radio calls at. You'll find some geographical feature's generally used by your school i'd say.

The radio calls are pretty simple stuff from my view. Especially in the circuit. They're like indicators on cars - you don't need them but it helps if people use them. I find it second nature to look before you move and give a radio call when all is clear. I use my cars indicators in the same manner. Funny how you can lose your driving licence if you don't use your indicators a half dozen times but people can get away without making radio calls indefinitely. Comes down to the flying community to keep people in line at the end of the day.

Surely someone flying around without a radio would rather as much information regarding your whereabouts as possible though. I think it's good practice to provide as much information as humanly possible to help keep myself and others safe. If this means doing something that is not considered mandatory why wouldn't you? Radio calls are purely for the safety of yourself and those around you - not just to meet AIP requirements.

Just speaking to one of our friendly CASA aviation safety advisors and she is more than happy to handle any queries. She confirmed that all the correct calls were made and it was right to do so unless operational requirements preclude the making of calls. Quoted the AIP as printed above. She also thought it prudent to point out that CTAF procedures would be changing on the 3rd of June and that those of us who use CTAF's should get along to one of their presentations over the next few months. The changes are pretty minor from what I understand but it's good to stay current. Her name's Teraya and you can contact her on 0434 558 088 or [email protected]. She can put you in touch with the person running your local presentation if needed.

It could be worthwhile reporting the matter to CASA if the 210 gave you a registration number. Something for them to put on their file anyway. If the guy is known to them (good chance by the sound of it) they'll give him some grief. The guy would have no chance in hell of convincing the CASA CEO to reduce any requirement to make radio calls. There pushing to make radios more widely used and necessary. A good thing as traffic continues to increase in my view

Hi All, Just to let you all know that there will be CASA Avsafety evening at Goulburn on the 14th October at 6pm. There will also be a guest speaker from the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Please RSVP to me via PM or email or to Teraya Miller on 0434 558 088 or [email protected] Hope to see you there!

Hi Darky, Goulburn Aviation is the school at Goulburn. Numbers are 02 4821 7798 or 0418 165 813. Email is [email protected]. They're open mostly on weekends as Teraya has another job but they'll fit you in. Cheers.

Hi All, If any of you have ever visited the Southern Highlands or flown in Australia you have probably come into some contact with Mr Austin Cummins. Austin has been training and testing pilots since the dawn of flight it would seem. Certainly before I was a twinkle in my Fathers eye. Austin has decided to retire from being an Authorised Testing Officer at the end of August 2009. To celebrate the contribution of one of the most passionate and experienced aviators in these areas there will be a "Farewell Extravaganza" held for Austin. Venue: The Goulburn Aviation hanger at Goulburn Airport. Date: 12th of September 2009 Time: 12.00pm. RSVP: to Teraya Miller or PM to me by 5th of August. Hope that you can make it!

Futura, Our club was created under a new name primarily because the old Goulburn Aero Club had not operated or lodged annual returns for over 7 years. The Office of Fair Trading advised that the penalties for using this old club would be many. The only other "club" at Goulburn is Tony's Aero Club which is a private company not a club. Anyone who has visited the airport in the past 20 years would know of the history of the clubs that existed and the "Goulburn Airport wars". We were formed as an attempt to rise above the cluttered past. I don't like beating our own drum but if you have not consulted our club regarding this development then you simply cannot say that you have consulted local aviators. Our new club has around 50 members. The years flying that I mentioned relate to half a dozen members of the club who have each been active at Goulburn airport for over 50 years. We have another one of our members about to top the 30,000 hour mark in the next year or so. If you wish to start a new club and attempt to return to the dark days of clubs in Goulburn then it will be on your head. If you feel that trampling over the top of the existing aviators is a better option than trying to work with them then so be it. I will not lose sleep on the matter. We already have a clubhouse and access to well-maintained aircraft so you may need to look deeper into your treasury box if you seek to woo members with trinkets and baubles. Our club exists primarily for the purposes of aviation for recreation. If a developer comes along without consulting us and proposes a development that may have safety consequences or threaten our long-term options for flying then we must speak out. You have chosen the path of trampling those with alternative views. Perhaps if you had contacted us or come to one of the monthly BBQ's in the past 10 years you could have presented us with the positive side and taken away some feedback on our safety concerns.

There are only 2 Council employees who would rather not have an airport. The rest couldn't care as it doesn't effect them in the slightest. The airport is 80 years young - there's plenty of life in the old girl yet!

If there had been any chance for a local aviator to have input then I may be a happier man. The Aero Club was not even asked for comment. No-one seems to recognise the fact that Goulburns a windy place. With the amount of wind turbines in a 15 mile radius from the airport you'd think someone might figure it out. The airport was originally designed in the 1920's and further constructed in the 1940's to allow for buildings in the safest place with this wind in mind. I know it's not a consideration for the big boys out there but those of us in smaller planes appreciate as little turbulence as possible on takeoff and landing. The land set aside for safe development is still vacant. Doesn't it make sense to use this up first?

1. The section you quote refers to the minimum constructed pavement width of the taxiway. If you look at 6.3.12 you will see that the entire taxiway strip must be at least 21.5 metres either side of the centre line for a "B" aircraft or 26m either side of the centre line for a "C" class aircraft. You have allowed only 10 metres either side of the centre line as the taxiway strip. With the wing span of a Metro coming in at almost 18 metres it's asking for trouble. 2. If safety is paramount why is there a detention pond being placed under the flight path? 3. What use is flying experience all over the world when you have locals alone with over 50 years flying experience in Goulburn? Coming in to runway 22 with a strong north-westerly blowing over 72 hectares of aircraft hangers will have dire consequences. Anyone with local knowledge could have told you that.

Hi All, If any of you have ever visited the Southern Highlands or flown in Australia you have probably come into some contact with Mr Austin Cummins. Austin has been training and testing pilots since the dawn of flight it would seem. Certainly before I was a twinkle in my Fathers eye. Austin has decided to retire from being an Authorised Testing Officer at the end of August 2009. To celebrate the contribution of one of the most passionate and experienced aviators in these areas there will be a "Farewell Extravaganza" held for Austin. Venue: The Goulburn Aviation hanger at Goulburn Airport. Date: 12th of September 2009 Time: 12.00pm. RSVP: to Teraya Miller or PM to me by 5th of August. Hope that you can make it!

The lots currently available at the airport are between $40-70k depending on size.

I thought use of the Metro would require taxiways a minimum of 53 metres wide in accordance with the Manual of Standards? From discussions with CASA they have not had any input into the design. Also a little concerned about the 34 megalitre dam right under the flight path. Could attract a lot of birds? Seems a pure money grab with no mention or attention paid to the safety of pilots and their passengers. There's 16 freehold lots up for sale at the airport by Council by the sound of things also that already have power and sewerage.

They sold it to a shelf company with a grand total of $3 in funds. I don't think they'll even get the remainder of the deposit (they deferred half the deposit until settlement). That said they will retain the amount of the deposit already received which should be enough to run it for a year or two... I think you'd be looking at well over a million dollars over the past 13 years. It cost them over $500,000 to reseal/upgrade the runway to the purchasers specifications as their part of the contract requirements. At least Corporate Air will be happy with that. The rest of us don't need that much runway.