AUSFLY appears to have been cancelled for 2014

[bra83d]

SAAA chapter 38 extended BBQ.

 

With the temporary demise of AUSFLY for this year, Members of the local chapter, 38, were faced with the prospect of having a very lonely meeting. Therefore after a quick discussion among the Chapter Exec, it has been decided to hold a flyin open to all interested parties together with an extended BBQ, held on the same dates. Friday 12th through to Sun 14th Sept at Narromine aerodrome.

 

The initial response to this proposal has been overwhelming. Many exhibitors have already expressed their wish to attend and display their wares, and it also seems likely that informative sessions will be run in conjunction with the "extended BBQ".

 

As this is a preliminary notice to all interested parties, there is little detail, simply as the Exec, at this stage, has no idea as to details. Once we have received the approval of all relevant authorities, then we can announce further plans. It will be "different" but hopefully very relevant to aviation.

 

Further details contact

 

Brad Naylor ([email protected]) or Neil Unger ([email protected])

 

 

[metalman]

I'll plan on getting there on Friday, will camping under wing be a goer?

 

Matty

 

 

[bra83d]

Hopefully, we just have to confirm this with council as the Aerodrome operator. The caravan park has indicated that they will have their amenities available for a small fee that will be released as we get closer to finalising details.

 

Thanks for your interest.

 

Brad

 

 

[flyvulcan]

I just received an email from the SAAA that explains briefly the reasons for cancelling AusFly. Man power constraints appear to be the major factor.

 

I have been a member of both the SAAA and AUF/RAAus since their inceptions and since both organisations now have clear roles that do not impinge on each other, indeed, they complement each other for the promotion of recreational aviation, I for one would like to see a new era of much closer cooperation between the two organisations.

 

This cooperation could extend to shared facilities and some administration functions, as well as hosting/co-hosting events etc..

 

With the recent upheaval within RAAus and with the manpower issues hinted at in the email from the SAAA, I believe that there is an opportunity now for both organisations to review their structures and the way they do business, and to look at ways they could cooperate for the benefit of both organisations and their members.

 

I am not advocating joining the two organisations into one as they both have their place in the system, but cooperation could provide economies and benefits to both organisations and their members.

 

Anyway, here's a cut and paste of the email from the SAAA relating to AusFly. I personally believe that the points raised are valid and that while it is disappointing for many that AusFly was cancelled, the decision was a correct one.

 

Dear Members

 

The Ausfly event is financially underwritten by the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia, but we could not manage to put on the event without the generous support of a number of other associations & businesses. Airshow events don’t just happen – they require considerable funds and considerable amounts of time by our unpaid volunteers to put on a show for one weekend a year.

 

Most of our volunteers give more time to SAAA projects than they can afford – especially those that are still working full-time. They willingly sacrifice family time & business time to give something back to aviation – just because they love aircraft and the sound of lovely engines roaring around the skies. Aviation is in their blood & in their soul. Unfortunately, this year we have had a lot on our plate at the SAAA offices; we have had a recent turn-over of our management team, having burnt out our volunteers almost to the point of breaking them.

 

The SAAA team recently held a meeting in Brisbane, where it became apparent that we were in grave danger of not being able to do all of our SAAA work and run Ausfly at the same time – something had to give. With losing some of our key event-management players, to try and do everything we had planned meant that we were highly likely to fail badly at some of them. Ausfly 2014 would have become a failure in the public arena, which would not be good for any of the people involved or associated with the event. Therefore, after considerable discussion & attempts to kid ourselves that it would all be OK and that the show must go on, the team made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s event.

 

As a result of the cancellation of Ausfly, the SAAA will be holding a fly-in over the weekend September 13-14 which will allow for the SAAA AGM to be held at 2pm on Saturday 13th this will be followed by a BBQ and trivia night to be held Saturday evening. The SAAA would like to encourage all members to attend the AGM and National Council will be available to answer all member questions.

 

The SAAA MPC course will running 11-12 September. Any enquiries regarding the MPC, please contact the office.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Phil Hale

 

Hon. National Secretary

 

For and on behalf of Sport Aircraft Association of Australia National Council

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Damn. I'm working far away from home and can't make it to Narromine this year. Hope it goes well.

 

 

[jakej]

Just heard that there was a "termination" at SAAA - anyone know what's going on ?

 

Jake J

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Hi Jake,

 

You are correct. This is covered in another thread http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/saaa-changes.122337/#post-441842

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

 

[jakej]

Thanks Dave, I :sorry:missed it

 

Jake J