Now is the time for all pilots to come to the aid of General Aviation!
In my last article I said Aviation in Australia is in trouble.
How much?
If the Airlines keep stripping commercial pilots from the Regionals who in turn strip the Flying Schools and Charter outfits, Australia will soon look like India where there is one (that is right ONE) instructor per flight school and it takes three months to get a flight.
Think I’m kidding?
My school has turned down four flights (make that five now) this week alone that just last year we would have done because of a lack of pilots. Every flight school and charter business at Jandakot has and is doing the same thing.
This does not even address the shortage of pilots eligible to be a Chief Pilot and or a Chief Flying Instructor.
Right now you can make the difference especially with the new Federal Government.
So what can you do? GET VOCAL!!!!
Write your local member in Federal Parliament.
DO NOT bother with CASA or DOTARS. While individuals might understand what you are talking about they can do nothing. They are part of the group that has gotten us to this point and are only interested in “Covering their A…es”. And anyone who offers any suggestions about changes to the current “Group Think” policies are almost always shouted down or brow beaten into submission or resignation.
All of us need to think of all aviation as part of the National Infrastructure just like the road, railway, water and power grids.
So who do you write to?
Try our country’s New Fearless Leader.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4022
Fax: (02) 6277 8495
Email: Kevin.Rudd.MP@aph.gov.au
Without General Aviation and Instructors all of Australia’s great aviation and its standards WILL collapse.
Ask for him to take ACTION IMMEDIATELY!!!
What action?
Some suggestions:
1. Get rid of red tape to training like ASICs and user pays fees. We already have multi layers of security on General Aviation Airports like Security Fences and aircraft locks. Let’s face it, it far easier for a Terrorist to Highjack an aircraft than to learn to fly or steal it. Generally instructors notice a box of dynamite being loaded on the aircraft. And even if it did, most small aircraft will bounce off buildings they run into breaking only a few windows.
2. Encourage retired airline pilots with lapsed instructor ratings to come back into instructing by paying for their retraining.
3. Encourage new CPLs to become Instructors with some BIG INCENTIVES like Subsidizing instructor pay by $1000-2000/ month. Offer Home Loan Guarantees to instructors actively instructing. Currently Flying Instructor cannot qualify for any Housing Loan in Australia. Offers Learning to Fly Loans to CPLs wanting to be Instructors
4. Bring “Real” General Aviation companies into future planning projects. Even if the Feds have to pay their airfares and accommodation to get them to attend the planning conference.
5. And all of this can also apply to LAMES, AMES and their Apprentices.
Do not just sit there nodding your head in agreement. This is your job just like it is mine so write the new PM and DEMAND he do something. He said he’s the People’s Prime Minister and that includes us guys in General Aviation.
Do not wait till tomorrow do it NOW!!!
I KNOW he would LOVE to hear from you.