FlyingVizsla

We did a fabric covering workshop at Monto (NorrAus) and one at Narrowmine (Natfly). We also saw a fabric covering demo at Longreach (Qantas Museum). Talking about irons, they suggested a non-steam iron (flat sole). I had one for years called a travel iron. Lighter than a steam iron and without the holes. Does a good job. Husband used his wife's iron (after she died) and put it back on the ironing board. I used it to iron the wedding dress I was sewing and had a job to get the glues out of the satin. Fortunately all was well on the day, but the moral of that story is once used on the plane, never return it to the ironing board. You can get hobby irons that look something like a soldering iron or mini iron on a long stick. These are fabulous for getting into the difficult spots. Craft shops like Lincraft or Spotlight have pinking shears and various implements for fabric covering and aircraft bits like velcro, drawstrings etc for making covers for baggage areas, headset hoods, map pockets etc. I took my husband into the craft section and he found lots of things he could use in the plane. Sue

2009 was indeed a messy year (for financial record keeping and interpretation), some of which was corrected on the 2010 report. In 2009 there was $129,750 noted as 50% of two year memberships paid in advance (Note 10). This was changed to $360,500 for 2009 in the 2010 report - with no explanation. A further prepayment by members of $116,150 was recognised in 2010 (Note 10). There were adjustments made to the 2009 figures: Advertising Aircraft Registrations Flight Crew Member Liability Insurance Member subscriptions Other Expenses Sales of Stock Cash at bank Accrued interest LSL (non current) I seem to remember an article by Steve R saying how fees had to go up because we only made $65k that year. The two year option was stopped because the system in place at the time could not handle the reporting. Employee expenses did go up - remember there was a substantial pay rise granted. The 2010 annual report has Key Personnel - "Any person(s) having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the association" total compensation increased by 79% to $372,696 (total compensation) + $26,948 (post employment benefit). The ABS analysis of Managerial / Admin wages in Canberra showed a 3.5% increase for that period. Now I don't know if this is CEO, Tech Man, Ops Manager, Office Manager or who. The overall staff compensation increased 34.9% in 2010, but fell by 2.9% in 2011 (probably due to vacancies not filled) at a time when we should have been throwing staff resources at getting our house in order. Sue

There was an option for 2 year registrations - we paid in Nov 2008 - the offer was $110 for 12 months or $200 for 24 months for a 2 seater. There was an option for 2 year memberships - we paid in May 2008 - $160 (1yr), $300 (2yr). Interestingly the costs were fully dissected on the invoice:- One Year:- Membership fee $85.00, Insurance fee $37.00, Certificate fee $23.45, GST $14.55 = $160.00 (no mention of magazine) On the annual financial statements the full income of 2 year memberships were recognised in the year it was paid (a bumper year) and the next year appeared very poor. Hence the call to increase fees, because the bottom line said LOSS. The next year the figures were adjusted to correctly recognise these pre-payments. Unfortunately I don't know what formula they used (only the total). I have used: Ex-GST 2yr fee, less one year fee. $78,450 - aircraft (equivalent to approx 958 2seaters or 1,916 seats) $ 159,331 - memberships (approx 1,279 people) Sue

We had this discussion in Sept 2010 - the last fee increase http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/urgent-need-your-advice-on-raaus-fee-increases.15570/#post-124256 That increase was brought about by mishandling the 2 year renewal. Contrary to general accounting practice - those who paid for 2 years had their money counted in that year and no provision was carried through to next year resulting in a small loss for that year. So, to the unwary Board member, it appeared RAA had a bumper year followed by a drought. The Board decided to raise fees, because they didn't understand the situation. These were the days when financial reporting to the membership was, if you were lucky, one audited statement per year delivered months after. For 18 months there was no budget, no one at the helm. There was more discussion around 2010. I believe the Board are better informed now. However, once over this hump, economies of scale and better investment of our spare cash should see us in better shape. Sue

Going on last year's figures - the increase should raise about $212,000. The new GM has undertaken to look at higher yield investment for our cash languishing in the bank, which raised only 3% - 3.5% 2007 to 2009 and less than 5% thereafter. Sue

8,000? "Wot?" sed the A6 "membership is fallin' jus like the Km sed it wood!" This calls for Future of RAoz Plan A7 - Amalgumite agummit amulgn; darn; join up with Poweredparas, AOPA, Gliding fed, EAA, SAAA, CWA, RAA, ASRA & Parashoot mob. Wot to call it ... (sound of spinning cog) ... use the initials .... it spels out ..... There! Hat Shatter. Problem solved without EGO (another clandestine organisation - EAA & GFA of Oz trying to overthrow RAOz). Now, who to invite to coffee where in I can educe the truth without talking ......

Last time I voted, I remembered an envelope within an envelope. That way, if it is accidentally opened before close of voting, the inner envelope remains sealed and unidentifiable. Checking the membership number against the current address ensures the votes go into the correct ballot box. For fear that people south of 22 degrees might stack the result . Seriously, there is some confusion about who is actually in NQ and I've had people way south of that line telling me they haven't got their NQ voting paper . I am pretty certain the envelopes don't get opened until close of voting - in the presence of scrutineers. Sue

Well, Mr & Mrs Flying Vizsla made it to Maryborough Q in 10 & half hours from Gilgandra today, with only one 5 min stop to refuel. Riley - He definately wears the pants as I just have to do what I'm told. Next year we plan to FLY. Then I can winge about the headwinds. I still have 7 hours travel to do (one of us has to work) Poor girls on the RAA table - I mentioned we had two planes grounded and the next gentleman wanted to know what was happening with his grounded plane. They couldn't answer any plane qns. I would have preferred to stay for the whole AGM, but when you are under instruction you have to go with the PIC's flight plan. Strange that the voting numbers bounced around as they did. I thought I saw hands up and proxy numbers up from everyone. There was one motion where the President, seeing that his board was evently split, declined to vote and also abstained all his proxies. There was some discussion that abstaining their votes might be unfair to them, and to the other members as the vote had to be 75% and taking (say 30 - I can't remember) out would give either side a big advantage. The President did say that he rang most of the undirected proxies to guage their feelings on the motions so that he could vote for them with an understanding of their wishes - good on him. The numbers didn't seem much altered from start to finish - however I know that at least 3 did not return after lunch. There was a lot of to-ing & froing with counting and totalling. Got a truck load of goodies from ATSB & CASA. Tried to go to some forums, but He wasn't interested and managed to make us late for anything he wasn't keen on. Terrorised the the Rotax & GPS people and walked the flight line several times a day. The model jet had him fooled - it can't be - its moving too fast. Well it was a model and the fixed wing models did some amazing stuff. We will be back next year (fingers crossed) in my plane. Sue

Been here Thursday, Fri & Sat and did the AGM (but left early). About 54 + board at the AGM and it was going slow. When we left the 6 year limit on board members had passed, but they were revisiting the figures over lunch, now heard it was defeated (who knows?). As the PIC "only wants to fly" I had to compromise and go with him at lunch time, so I don't know the outcome of the majority of the AGM. We walked everywhere, looked for the Avocet on display, but he hasn't turned up. All looked well organised, crowds maybe a little smaller than expected, food everywhere of varying cuisines. It still has that friendly Narromine atmosphere we remembered from previous Natflys. Very satisfied. Bumped into a lot of Tasswegians. The Wright Flyer came out for a "fly" up and down the runway at 7am this morning and would have flown at the end of the air display, but it was deemed just a little gusty - it is a fragile machine. The test pilot is a fellow RANS builder. Airshow was spectacular. We got into the VIP tent (open to SAAA, Warbirds, RAA & AOPA members) close to the action and a bit away from the loud speakers. Good view and uninterupted sounds of engines. Everything, models, Roolettes, Aerobatics, gyro, heli, Moscow airshow, Gummon Avenger with the folding wings, Ag plane doing a water dump. Superb weather for it too. Will be back next year. Sue

Mrs & Mrs Flying Vizsla will be there from Thursday - Sunday. We are staying at Gilgandra (don't ask .... he could have gone closer) and driving. We are not going to any of the dinners but you will see us wandering around - just look for the tallest & shortest. Sue & Alf

I agree with you Don. Resources should have been committed earlier, to fix the lax attitude of the past. I remember the denials, then people volunteering to help out and being told they were not needed. Internal auditing of the files would have pulled up the likes of ours (which must be a slim volume) with no plans or data set for over 20 years. Yet for 20 years it was renewed without any comment. Our two aircraft are at a point where concerted action is required from us. The only help the office can give us is to ring and ask if we need advice or if we would like to give up and cancel the registration. I didn't want the Tech staff blamed for a backlog that consisted of issues that were out of their hands. I can only imagine what's in the pile: - CofA issues going to CASA for a solution Files not looked at yet Waiting for owner response Waiting for tech staff to check owner's response Waiting for CASA's consultant to process The registered fleet is down by 15% and I hope the backlog was not used as a criteria for terminating the Tech Manager. The nub of the issue has been the relationship between the Board and the Tech Managers over many years. I wouldn't take the job. Sue

There isn't a category for "In Limbo" where our two aircraft are ... I guess they are now "cancelled" as it is about 3 months since they fell due. Looks like registrations were growing by about 3% pa prior to November, had they continued it would have added 100 new aircraft by Sept 13 (3425). Adding up the figures for Oct 12 Vs July 13 there's 303 aircraft not mentioned (not taking into account the 3% growth). This might be the In Limbo pile. Sue

I agree with Don - Jim has proven himself to be very committed to RAA and has taken on a lot of work. I hope the latest round of elections has brought us more like him. I know from my dealings with Not-for-Profit groups that being able to call on a wide range of knowledge for assistance is invaluable. Things crop up at meetings that are outside our field of expertise, where a 5 minute talk with an expert could save a lot of time and money. For example, someone suggests we write a book commemorating 30 years. How do you find a writer, publisher, distributor, technical oversight, people with photos, personal knowledge, stories etc and who owns it? For refurbishing the building - what do you put in the tender, what's a reasonable cost, does it comply with building regulations, who can assess the tenders. Then there are volunteers who can provide assistance when the going gets too busy, for example scanning files for the new e-filing system. There are others - event organisers, Web & IT specialists, publicists, finance, legal & design. Think outside the box. RAA needs more than just IT, Lawyers and LAMEs. I look forward to the day our Board run ideas past our expert members as routine good management. Sue

Some of the blame will rest with the aircraft owners. We currently have two aircraft out of registration awaiting information from us. There is nothing more the office can do. Some of the blame can be attributed to the previous administration, which failed to insist on the information at registration, or when the rules changed, and some can rest with us for not keeping abreast of these changes and complying. For some people it was a simple "send a photo", but for us it is far more complex - to find an inspector to sign off a Weight & Balance, supply plans and data set for an aircraft built 20+ years ago (and we can't remember where we put them) etc. The rag & tube hasn't flown for several years, so there may yet be a resigned "its all too much" and consign it to the shed roof to hang alongside the Scout & Turbulent half built. Sue

... code for the website where all the Unknown Unknowns that Don Rumsy felt should be kept from statistical analysis were encrypted. Kept safe with the trusty RAA members only password - guess the year, or your weight, or just define AUW ....

Loxy meanwhile...... author of this new unpickable key to the Members Only Portal was polishing up his collection of lock picks while filling in his Skills Register. I can offer Password resets - send $20 for free receipt ...

Link to the ultralight flying school in Mt.Isa http://www.raa.asn.au/school/aeroskill-flight-trainingfly-mount-isa/ Bill Grieve is the CFI Mount Isa Instructor:- Andrew Hurst mobile zero458 one54 two68 (disguised in case he didn't want it harvested by web bots) The RFDS pilots are also a good source of info about training, where, who and when. A CFI friend of mine boarded with RFDS staff a few years back. Sue

Hi Dave, Western Qld was my reason for flying too. Nearly every town has an airstrip right beside it. So easy to fly in and walk around town and none of the hassles of transport at destination you get in larger places. You will need long range tanks out there. Not essential, but nice to have the option of extended flight and less diversions to get fuel. Next decision for you - go into General Aviation (Cessna, Piper etc, Private Pilot's License) or Recreational Aviation (ultralights, Pilot Certificate). Each have their merits. Ultralight just means at the lighter end of aviation. Today they are very similar to the 2 seat GA aircraft and some can go in either category. It is worth discussing the kind of flying you want to do with the Flying Schools to see which path they recommend. You will get lots of advice here from people who have done it before. Go fly! Sue

"It's a Rotary Axe with an .................. SMS powered by a new bored - it is making all kinds of noises." "NO, No!" yelled the Miles Coolant Rep. "If it was running on Miles is wouldn't make any noise at all, so why is it being run on this other stuff?" "You've got it wrong" interjected the Maj. "That stuff used to come in Gold Eps, (not available in shops), then it was bought out by NthQld, with a deperate attempt by EdCo to get it out, and is now .......

Have a look at the RAA Members Only portal - there is an update on the SMS from a Board member dated 20 August which answers most of your questions. The previous update was 2nd August. It is right and fitting that the Board communicate with the members through the RAA site, magazine and meetings. These are their official channels. If they come on this forum and discuss things, that's a bonus. If you want more specific answers - then ring your member or ring the Board member posting the SMS update. The Board and CEO are making use of the Members Only portal, the least we members can do it READ it. Sue

One of the Aero Clubs I am a member of wants a website (but don't know how to look after one). They only want a simple website - home page, their annual event, a few photos, maybe news/ meetings. Is this within the ambit of the offer? Another club of mine (non aviation) has a web address, but no idea how to do a web site. Again - fairly simple with few on-going changes. Neither of them would use a forum (it would turn into a ghost town from day one). Sue

Blackwater is still open to emergencies, flying doctor and mines charters, just not general public. Dysart I don't know much about. Does anyone know the history of these strips - were they in existence before BMA ownership? Sue

We have no means of "contesting" statements. The official candidate statement will read "I'm the best thing since sliced bread, flown everything and been on the board for years", but there is no suitable way for someone to contest that. Waiting for the magazine seems to be wasting time. A direct mail-out is quicker and allows people to start thinking and asking earlier. Maybe we need to give the candidates a budget; one or two mail outs to voters to wage their campaigns? Unfortunately it might get to a "dirty laundry" situation, but might also bring out more voters. An election forum on the Members Only Portal could also achieve better discussion, but I wonder how many people would get on it - there isn't much to bring me back daily or even weekly at present. Sue

This article in the local paper talks about the closure of Dysart & Blackwater airstrips (both privately owned). A bit of misinformation, but make up your own minds. Unfortunately it makes RAA pilots sound unsafe. http://www.cqnews.com.au/news/runway-closure-may-be-forever/1986615/ Sue

Here it is - http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/why-dont-they.61603/#post-286678 Sue