January 13, 2009: 2008 highlights

[Admin]

January 13, 2009: 2008 highlights

 

The year was very rewarding in terms of our primary goal — safe flying. There was only one fatal accident in an RA-Aus registered aircraft during the year — unfortunately both occupants died. There were no accidents where long-term injuries were sustained. Since the AUF/RA-Aus was established in 1983 there has been one other year (1996) where only one fatal accident occurred. Ordinary membership at 31 December 2008 was 8440. So, considering the 145% increase in membership since 1996, 2008 was our safest flying year ever. The average annual number of fatal accidents for the five year period 2004–2008 is 4.5 — about the same as the 1999–2003 period.

 

Past history shows that 87% of RA-Aus accidents involve or are directly attributed to critical decisional errors or human factor [HF] related events. Elimination of such events might be regarded as the last frontier to be conquered in the quest for fatality-free operations. HF training of the instructor population commenced in 2007 and by end 2008 over 70% of instructors had completed a human factors related course.

 

HF training was added to our Pilot Certificate training syllabus with the introduction of a revised Operations Manual. Consequently, from August 2008 all new pilots study HF in their training; all existing Pilot Certificate holders must complete an HF course or an examination by August 2010.

 

During the year 312 new registrations and re-registrations were added to the register, with a number of older aircraft dropping out, bringing the total to 2805 at December 31.

 

Aircraft register at end 2008

 

State

 

Fullregistration

 

Provisionalregistration

 

90-daysuspension

 

Total

 

Qld 704 23 26 753 NSW+ ACT

 

706 26 16 744 Vic 624 20 17 661 Tas 79 1 2 82 SA 263 6 5 274 WA 224 10 2 236 NT 50 0 5 55 Total 2650 82 73 2805

 

Note: provisional registration applies to completed home-builts which have not yet flown the 40 hours required for full registration. The 90-day suspension category applies to aircraft where the annual fee is up to 90 days overdue; after the 90 days grace period the registration entry is cancelled.

 

The ratio of voting members to registered aircraft has hovered around 2.5:1 for some years but at the end of 2008 it has drifted up to 3:1. The average annual hours flown (in RA-Aus aircraft), currently reported by our Pilot Certificate holders, has reduced a little to 32 hours; perhaps indicating that the average RA-Aus aircraft flies about 100 hours per year.

 

Membership at December 31 is 8440, up 8% from the 7800 at December 31 2007. The distribution of membership is:

 

Queensland — 2139 (25%)

 

New South Wales and the ACT — 2291 (27%)

 

Victoria — 2093 (25%)

 

South Australia — 927 (11%)

 

Western Australia — 523 (6%)

 

Tasmania — 278 (3%)

 

Northern Territory — 119 (1.5%)

 

Members currently overseas — 58 (0.5%)

 

The number of RA-Aus approved flight training facilities increased by 9% during 2008, totalling 139 at December 31. That total excludes about 15 satellite FTFs currently operating under the control of a parent FTF.

 

The continuing non-promulgation of CASR Parts 103 and 149 remains a major disappointment. To curtail some of the effects RA-Aus has requested changes to the old exemption CAOs — 95.55, 95.32 and 95.10 for the introduction of:

 

• Entry to controlled airspace (but CASA now requiring Class 2 medicals)

 

• Flight over water to come in line with GA requirements (not for powered 'chutes)

 

• Flight above 5000 feet approved in line with GA

 

• Entry to active restricted areas

 

It is expected that these changes should eventuate early 2009.

 

Another significant event was the inclusion of $250k of pilot liability for passenger cover in the Members Liability insurance policy.

 

Read the benchmark events in the development of Recreational Aviation Australia.

 

 

[JimG]

Weight Limit

 

Yes 2008 was a great year, and for me the realisation of my life long plan to learn to fly and earn my pilot certificate.

 

Now on with my home build A/C (J6 Karatoo)....!

 

Any word on the progress of the new propossed MTOW limit of 760kg.?

 

Lets everyone on this fantastic forum have a great 2009:thumb_up:

 

Cheers

 

JimG

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

maybe the RAAus 'press liasion officer' should release this information to the press.

 

but it is pleasing to hear that when the above is read that we come across as responsible people who continue to seek futher our education in aspects of safer operations.

 

 

[Guest L/D]

Do we know how many first of type aircraft were registered during 2008?