winsor68

IMOTHE problem today occurred because the AUF changed what it does to RAA... From my understanding and reading it was not "designed" to administer the new class of GA type Aircraft and the pilots who want the higher standards that go with them and this is the root cause of all the current problems...

The problem with changing what the RAA does, doesn't fix how it does things, which is the problem. Fix the RAA and #25 and #10 will pickup.

THE problem today occurred because the AUF changed what it does to RAA... From my understanding and reading it was not "designed" to administer the new class of GA type Aircraft and the pilots who want the higher standards that go with them and this is the root cause of all the current problems...

So much for having things up and running again Tuesday week ago?Now I have an aircraft that's expired, and contacting the office today (Wednesday), I'm told it may go back on the backlog list after Friday?

 

I say let LSA, older GA pilots and CASA's RPL all go off under CASA, and we restart the AUF for 95:10 and 95:25!

 

Thrusters, Lightwings and Drifters were only built to basic standards, but they got a lot of us to where we are today with very little problems, and acceptable cost.

IMO you can have both with a proper structure. The whole point is "Self-regulation"... It seems to me that the whole agenda was hijacked by a self interested group who saw the possibility of a "New GA"... I am guessing CASA never intended to hand control of this over to the AUF. Just my opinion but I personally find it sad to have seen in my eyes a rapid decline over the last several years in Ultralight flying in Australia.

My 2 cents worth at this point...We have tried the separate administration of rec flying and it has failed. (x4, apparently - even with guidance)

 

CASA will now be looking at having more oversight in the new RAA to prevent a repeat performance. They may even take over some governance issues totally (Issuing L2's, reporting/actioning of incidents, etc). Clearly the dust has not settled on this yet at all.

 

Why then not cut out the middlemen?

 

Why not simply keep it as amateur built, and factory built, up to 2 seats, and up to and including 1500kg MTOW, per the recreational licence now permitted by CASA as a stepdown from the full PPL?

 

There would be a lot of crossover and a lot of benefits to having the CASA rec licence and administration (CTA, aforementioned STC's, proper investigations of incidents with FULL reporting, etc), and it may be possible for current RAA qualified trainers/organisations to get qualified in the CASA rec licence.

 

Anyone says anything about "cost..." only needs to look at what the "cheap" version has achieved....not so cheap with $XX000 worth of aircraft sitting on the ground, deregistered and not able to be used. Ya gets what you pay for.

 

Maybe it is time to look at this as an opportunity for a rethink of recreational aviation's "placement" rather than leave it as a rehash of everything that went wrong last time. We have the opportunity to improve our pilot training, gain CTA access, welcome a whole host of new members (CASA Rec licence holders), allow larger aircraft for training and use, and improve our image as a responsible organisation.

Why not offer Adam the position of Ceo.

You are game Flying Librarian! Poor professional truckies (the ones who feed us just as much as the farmers) get a hard time because of the "few" amongst their ranks also... Of course trucks are bigger targets and you certainly notice when it happens!

I've had my driver's licence for a bit over a year now (still to get my pilot's certificate though!). When on our Learners, my Dad was always trying to teach my sister and me to drive smoothly and to be easy on the car -- which he still talks about whenever he drives with me! (BTW, he is a mechanic by trade) I also notice the difference in fuel economy, in whether I've been nice to my car, especially driving around town. I bought my first car at the end of last year, and frequently get asked by Dad if I've done an "A Service", or checked my tyres, the oil and water. And I'd definitely agree that we drive like our parents -- especially the one we spend the most time with on our Learner's permits!PS. And whenever I drive away from the service station, I feel like I've forgotten to disconnect the earth after refuelling!!

Now... How many of us never break any road rules habitually? I know I DON'T and I am the only person I know who can honestly say that.

You can tell a lot about a person based on their driving . If their driving is wishy washy.......

(and I don't mean when they get their learners... they are watching their parents drive all their lives from the backseat)

I would suggest doing some more solo time before taking a non-instructor passenger again... Just to be safe. It sounds like you are experiencing some challenges with your flying... IMO you should not complicate this with being responsible for someone else's safety.

The "Executive" is made up of members... I have tried to communicate with my member. Failed very badly unfortunately. I am not sure if it was my fault or his (must go and re-read the e-mail trail).

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It seems that the "framework" that was the purpose of Ra-Aus being the administrator of these flying activities is non-existent. Our members have no idea, are quoting differing views quoted from operations etc etc. This is not an attack on any individual... I am just pointing out that a big part of the reason for the existence of Ra-Aus is to administer (put in place) safety systems that should ensure that people understand our airworthiness standards and requirements. It is not happening. The rot is deep....

I think the fact that it is members asking the above questions shows just how out of control things are... the members really don't know what is going on regarding the regs we fly under. This is the BIG problem... it is one of CULTURE. IMO

Hey... Get real guys. Of course a Club or a member of said club is going to be concerned about posting anything on Recreational Flying... The Executives actions recently would have anyone worried.

Yep me too but every time it is talked about you get howled down by various people probably one in particular comes to mind the most.

My experience is that the internet is as difficult as it wonderful for communication... I reckon we could still all sit down at the end of the day and talk aeroplanes... regardless of any "howling".

We really are all in the sxxt together now... but I gotta ask.... Anyone still think that the introduction of faster and more complex GA types into the AUF was not having a negative effect? If you recall some of us have had this conversation for a long time... and are trying so hard not to say "I told you so"...

As I have always said... I fully support LSA/GA types as many of us are now expecting to fly but am in this to fly Ultralights. As I have also always said... AUF was never intended or had systems to manage this new GA. This is exactly what I was concerned about.

. If you don't hold us accountable, we will not hold accountable those down the line.John McK

Why?

Finally... We have some communication from the President.

Good to see someone finally with balls enough to get a reply from their member. It seems that what goes on at this site is more important than what has happened at Ra-Aus HQ? I really start to doubt myself and wonder whether it is me who has the communication problem when I read one of these SR replies to member questions.

I would like to back up what is being said regarding the Ra-Aus talent pool... (note I am not putting my self forward ... Just met a lot of ex GFA, GA and Ultralight Pilots who ALL have something to offer us newbies)...

Also IMO... I have seen a bit of the kind of people who are the "guts" of Ra-Aus... the problem is not the people... it is the management of the systems required to organize those people into an effective "umbrella" Operations Team... The problem is the what seems to me the almost complete "disconnect" from the reality of what is required and what sort of pilots/customers they are dealing with shown by the board direction over the last "several" years.

"I read an Incident Report that was undertaken by ASRA about a gyrocopter accident earlier this year. It was very comprehensive and informative. RAA could learn a bit from ASRA in this respect." LM while I haven't read an ASRA report I did get to read an RAA one. I would have to disagree with your comment about RAA taking a lesson from ASRA. The RAA investigators have been trained by the ATSB and were impressive in action. Their investigation was thorough and the report comprehensive. The conclusions drawn were clear and well argued. It was an informative and professionally presented document. While the incident ocurred several years ago, the Coroner has yet to release a finding, which prevents anybody associated with the accident or investigation from commenting publicly. This is a pity because there's a few lessons in it for all of us. Cheers Ferris.

Thankyou for that Kaz.. For a moment there I thought I had lost my sense of perspective and had adopted a blame the victims mentality... But that would be crazy wouldn't it???!!!

I like the look of this one - it's called an Easy Eagle - VW powered.

Plans available from Great Plains Aircraft

 

I notice a reserved rego on the register so someone is building one.....

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/easyEagle.php

Thanks again John Mc for the contribution...

My mind does boggle reading this (note I am not shooting the messenger)

"We are in the process of employing a special consultant, acceptable to CASA, to help us put in place proper procedures, checks and staff training."

What happened to the staff we already employed for the last however many years to do this? Why have we been targeted for asking these questions? I agree they need to have their bloody heads down fixing the problem right now... but seriously. Please explain.