Some good news from RAAus

[Admin]

The RAAus Board met on Friday 31 August 2018 and Saturday 1 September 2018. The purpose of the meeting was three-fold.

 

Firstly, the RAAus Board has engaged a specialist consultant to undertake a full performance evaluation of directors and the board as a whole with a view to assuring members that the Board operates at an optimum level.

 

Secondly the Board and senior management met to discuss the future strategic plan of RAAus. Using feedback from the member’s survey, statistical data and the input of staff and managers, the Board has developed RAAus’ 2019-2023 draft Strategic Plan. The plan will be further reviewed in November and a draft plan presented to members at our AGM.

 

The outcomes of the Board meeting are detailed below.

 

Annual Performance

 

RAAus recorded a 3% increase in membership numbers during the financial year 2017-2018 as well as a 3% increase in the number of registered aircraft.

 

The Board was particularly pleased with the overall improvement in our safety record, where we recorded our safest year in ten years. In all we recorded three fatal accidents during the financial year, the lowest since 2017. Our serious accident rate has also halved in the last four years.

 

Our financial result was also a good one. RAAus recorded a surplus of $187,368 for the financial year ending 30 June 2018. Full audited financial records will be shared with members prior to this year’s AGM.

 

Safety

 

The Board approved the RAAus Head Office Safety Manual and RAAus Flight Training School Safety Manual. Over the coming months RAAus will continue to work with our flight training schools to ensure our safety performance continues to improve.

 

Audit and Assurance

 

As part of our ongoing preparation for Part 149, the Board approved an overarching audit and assurance policy. This policy sees the continued commitment of RAAus to trust our members, schools and maintainers. It also maintains our pragmatic and sensible framework with regard to auditing the operations of our schools and maintainers.

 

MTOW and CTA

 

RAAus continues to make progress on these two proposals. A weight increase to 760kgs has been given in principle support from the regulator, as previously advised to members. In terms of CTA access, recent announcements made it clear that RAAus members who learn to fly in certain controlled airspace can continue to operate within that space based on the exemption certificate of the flight school they learned to fly at.

 

RAAus continues to work with CASA on finalising further access to airspace and our weight proposal.

 

Other matters

 

The board discussed a range of other matters, including the 2018 member survey (a summary of results will be shared with members shortly), commercial opportunities to add member benefits, AirVenture Australia 2018, changes to the office structure within RAAus, and landing fees and how best to ensure members meet their obligations when using airfields that charge fees.

 

The board will meet again in November.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

everyday winning, everyday

 

 

[facthunter]

On the face of it, all would seem well.. We DO need good management as long as we don't lose our soul or "raison d' etre" if you want to be more earthly. Nev

 

 

[Yenn]

I notice that government also uses consultants to work out if they are performing. My opinion is that consultants seem to cost a lot to tell you what you should know already.

 

I notice that in the email I received that they trust members and maintainers. that is good of them, but is it reciprocated?

 

I also noticed that this is the safest year since 2017. Wow, that is really something and the year is not over yet.

 

 

[old man emu]

The RAAus Board met on Friday 31 August 2018 and Saturday 1 September 2018. The purpose of the meeting was three-fold.Firstly, the RAAus Board has engaged a specialist consultant to undertake a full performance evaluation of directors and the board as a whole with a view to assuring members that the Board operates at an optimum level.

 

Secondly the Board and senior management met to discuss the future strategic plan of RAAus. Using feedback from the member’s survey, statistical data and the input of staff and managers, the Board has developed RAAus’ 2019-2023 draft Strategic Plan. The plan will be further reviewed in November and a draft plan presented to members at our AGM.

Thirdly ???

 

 

[Bruce Tuncks]

The art of being a consultant is to tell the client just what the client wants to hear.

 

If you do this just right, you will be employed again.

 

 

[Keith Page]

Regarding the Flight Training School Safety Manual.

 

Is it a one size fits all or has it got provision for specific school situation?

 

Looks like no provision for culture development which is incorporating systems and processes.

 

Most likely plain simple cloning. As it all progresses we will see.

 

KP

 

 

[Downunder]

I've never been fond of consultants. Especially those with no termination point.

 

They dig their fangs in and just bleed the company......sometimes to the point where the parasite kills the host. Then just move along to a new host....

 

They also can make management lazy, where decisions and responsibility becomes "outsourced" .

 

 

[jetjr]

Often consultants are used for outside review and provide skills or experience thw business cannot afford to keep on staff OR they cannot maintain in place

 

The more staff cost, the more attractive consultants are. You can also stop using them quickly unlike permanent staff

 

 

[Roundsounds]

I’m sure the performance review will produce the desired result. As far as increased safety, have they analysed the reduced accident rate against the measures they’ve taken to see what led to the improvement? Was it the L1 or Weight and Balance training? They are the only training courses posted on-line. There seems to be secret CFI stuff hidden on a restricted access site. This material should be made available to all members, if you only see an instructor for Flight reviews you may not receive the benefits of the training material being produced. The alternative may be that the majority of accidents are happening during training?

 

 

[Blueadventures]

I’m sure the performance review will produce the desired result. As far as increased safety, have they analysed the reduced accident rate against the measures they’ve taken to see what led to the improvement? Was it the L1 or Weight and Balance training? They are the only training courses posted on-line. There seems to be secret CFI stuff hidden on a restricted access site. This material should be made available to all members, if you only see an instructor for Flight reviews you may not receive the benefits of the training material being produced. The alternative may be that the majority of accidents are happening during training?

Part would be the extra focus at BFR time by instructor procedures visiting say slow climbing turns and tightning turns onto final etc and the sample of 300 ish maintenance records at aircraft registration renewal time when only 10% were found to be of acceptable standard. Eg not carring out annuals only doing 100 hrlys - perhaps every 3 years. All help to make positive improvements to pilot ability and aircraft condition. These being some to reoccuring contributing factors to accidents and incidents. Cheers and safe enjoyable flying.

 

 

[Yenn]

I still cannot see the relevence of even mentioning that this year has the lowest fatality rate and is the safest since 2017. The year is not over yet and already 2017 was safer than now. I just don't understand it.

 

Just the missing Linkes rose coloured glasses?

 

 

[Admin]

Personally I would assume they are referencing for the same period in 2017 and more specifically they state "financial year" which was end June I assume, which was only last year anyway but the specific mention of the lowest in the last 10 years is the encouraging statement

 

 

[Keith Page]

Personally I would assume they are referencing for the same period in 2017 and more specifically they state "financial year" which was end June I assume, which was only last year anyway but the specific mention of the lowest in the last 10 years is the encouraging statement

Take into consideration pilot hours and aircraft hours.

As the financial situation is a bit grim pilot and aircraft hours could be way down.

 

KP

 

 

[Admin]

Keith, I think the surplus of $187,368 is a healthy one given the years of losses and especially given the membership and aircraft number have remained basically the same so hopefully they have turned the corner in terms of operations, however I still very much doubt the ethics of the management and will never forget that we have lost our Association to now being just an administrative business. It means nothing to most of us recreational aviators now due to the hostile takeover of a couple of individuals that stole it away from us members...it is just a business in an office building now and may just as well be CASA shuffling the paper.

 

 

[Keith Page]

Hello Ian,

 

The maintenance side of things is micro managed as well.

 

The L1 was simply an embarrassment, fancy doing a test on a computer screen -- that only proves people can read.

 

What about nuts and bolts then there is lock wiring how can someone learn about those without some practical training.

 

Tension wrench, glass repairs, rivets and aluminium, tyre changing just to name a few.

 

Takes all day to get through the subjects in basic maintenance, this is a basic maintenance of which I am involved with its delivering.

 

I had a look at the RAAus L1 and to me it is an embarrassment all from as office in Canberra no infield tutoring, refused to do it.

 

KP

 

 

[eightyknots]

Thirdly ???

Thirdly:

 

"The board will meet again in November."

 

 

[frank marriott]

Hello Ian,The maintenance side of things is micro managed as well.

The L1 was simply an embarrassment, fancy doing a test on a computer screen -- that only proves people can read.

 

What about nuts and bolts then there is lock wiring how can someone learn about those without some practical training.

 

Tension wrench, glass repairs, rivets and aluminium, tyre changing just to name a few.

 

Takes all day to get through the subjects in basic maintenance, this is a basic maintenance of which I am involved with its delivering.

 

I had a look at the RAAus L1 and to me it is an embarrassment all from as office in Canberra no infield tutoring, refused to do it.

 

KP

The problem Keith is the inflexible approach/attitude of the ex Tech Manager now “consultant” after resigning. I have qualified 3 (yes THREE) times, maintained my aircraft for 10 years, and completed the manufacturers maintenance course (with yourself) not recognised by the current administration - it is plain stupidity to have to repeat this process every time some some wanker comes up with a new idea. One could easily believe it was for some browny points with CASA and after that didn’t work out maybe some sense might now apply. I actually doubt it as I took up this subject with Banfield at a board meeting and received an aggorant reply which I suspect will continue under the “consultant” title.

 

 

[Yenn]

The financial situation should be looking good soon. I see that they are going to charge $50 per day for the upcoming fly in. I won't be there. I went to the last one at Narromine and wasn't impressed and at a 30% increase they can do without me.

 

 

[facthunter]

A lot of "qualifications" only last 2 years, and then you must re sit the exam. W&B as an example. I wonder if all the HO people abide by this edict. and requalify regularly

 

Yenn, Didn't you know only Rich people fly aeroplanes. Perhaps rich before they started. Nev

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Quote: The Board was particularly pleased with the overall improvement in our safety record, where we recorded our safest year in ten years. In all we recorded three fatal accidents during the financial year, the lowest since 2017. Our serious accident rate has also halved in the last four years. End quote.

 

The Board has no influence on this aspect of safety. It is entirely in the hand of our pilots and instructors. Me thinks the Board is looking for a slap on the back anywhere they can get it. Now if they could find a way to REDUCE annual fees, I'd be in line to give them slap on the back.

 

 

[Keith Page]

The problem Keith is the inflexible approach/attitude of the ex Tech Manager now “consultant” after resigning. I have qualified 3 (yes THREE) times, maintained my aircraft for 10 years, and completed the manufacturers maintenance course (with yourself) not recognised by the current administration - it is plain stupidity to have to repeat this process every time some some wanker comes up with a new idea. One could easily believe it was for some browny points with CASA and after that didn’t work out maybe some sense might now apply. I actually doubt it as I took up this subject with Banfield at a board meeting and received an aggorant reply which I suspect will continue under the “consultant” title.

Yes Frank.. We are completely disregarded for our knowledge of the Jab engine, not even acknowledged.

To this day I still have a grin to myself regarding the unique quirks of the Jab engine, and these experts thought their views were gospel.

 

No wonder there were problems.

 

The said fact regarding those problems it is these experts who are espousing their expert "knowledge".

 

Every engine is unique so it is not a case of one size fits all, so work with its uniqueness.

 

KP

 

 

[Roundsounds]

The financial situation should be looking good soon. I see that they are going to charge $50 per day for the upcoming fly in. I won't be there. I went to the last one at Narromine and wasn't impressed and at a 30% increase they can do without me.

The 20kt NW breeze forecast for Saturday might make life interesting.

 

 

[slb]

The financial situation should be looking good soon. I see that they are going to charge $50 per day for the upcoming fly in. I won't be there. I went to the last one at Narromine and wasn't impressed and at a 30% increase they can do without me.

Only $15 for the three days for RAAus members at the moment but will get more expensive after tomorrow apparently "Discounted Ticket Pricing Ends Thursday" was the latest email from RAAus.

 

 

[storchy neil]

frank keith I will bet it was at your own expense

 

that bloody l1 course on a computer and casa said that was ok what a bloody disaster that was hope that anyone that works on there own plane DOES NOT HAVE 20million insurance cover cause if something hits the fan gues what neil