Bernie Knight

Whoa some amazing footage - and some not so amazing

Adminn Yes I agree RecAus needs to be held to account by its members - us. I’m not sure if you can link some of the other Facebook and comments by AOPA members to this site?

Down under The Board has gone quite - based on email advice to the Board to do so. My early calls to Board members prior to the email led me to believe the two members I spoke to - three days ago - knew little about the registration or the AOPA and RecAus breakdown in relationships at Narromine over access to the event. Another issue in breakdown of relationships. I think it was outside the SAAA hangar site that AOPA set up a basic display at Narromine. Mmm and we all remember The OZRUNWAYS sponshorship and how they were made look the bad guy at Narromine. My initial concern on “Freedom to Fly” was totally percuniary, as I was concerned about the “Freedom to Fly aerobatic team” that displays in China. Were they going to be affected by their use of “Freedom to Fly” as an AOPA team in China. I was in discussion with a pilot on a commercial and potential investment basis for China. So I was simply looking after my own interests and obviously as a member of both RecAus and AOPA Was wondering “what the hell”... I must say that my phone calls to AOPA and Ben Morgan were answered immediately and Ben Morgan both explained his and AOPA’s position very clearlyto me. Like most of us Ben clearly wonders what’s going on at RecAus and he was clear in saying his primary focus was the promotion of AOPA and the industry as a whole or the benefit of all.

I tried to contact RecAus Board members in Victoria and Qld and I was told by those I spoke to that they will not discuss this matter. They have been told via email from the CEO and Chairperson to refrain from comment as the matter will be in the hands of RecAus staffers and legal moving forward. I’m glad I’m not on the RecAus Board, as this matter, if it ends up in Court will see the end of RecAus financially. AOPA Australia, AOPA USA and both countries members will no doubt put up a fight and dollars. Yesterday I heard key AOPA members whom are ‘financially able’ discussing supporting AOPA’s potential Court case. It’s clear AOPA members see this a a personal attack on AOPA and them as members. They wonder “what’s next” to come AOPA’s way from RecAus. A lot of this discussion in our hangar about RecAus’s submission to CASA on the Class 1/2 Medical submission that AOPA worked on for all pilots. Did RecAus try and torpedo this submission? Additional discussion on how both AOPA and SAAA were treated at Narromine at Air Adventure etc etc by RecAus and organisers. What was said by RecAus staffers in New Zealand Yes RecAus appears to be poking the dragon... and we are just hearing all of this after the event. I think it’s time the real “Mission and Vision statement of RecAus is presented to members by RecAus. And RecAus as an organisation and its Board members need to realise that we are in the same circuit/pattern and who cares who is number 1 or number 2 - let’s just fly together...

Begs the question that was just asked in our hangar - yes more people are talking about this than a RecAus staffers and AOPA staffers think - that question being “ just how much other money is being wasted registering names, dynamic ribbons, by lines and phrases by RecAus”.... Who would want to use the phrase “Clear mind - Clear Prop” - but I bet that RecAus money has been spent to register this and many more.....

Head in the clouds Yes it does sound like Ugg. I’m dammned if I know why RecAus saw the need to do this - if their intention was to spite and aggravate AOPA staff they have done that. Importantly, a few crusty old AOPA members and not so crusty are very annoyed. I can see money being dropped into the AOPA fighting fund account from a number of directions. Hope RecAus has tons of cash budgeted for to fight this. I think it’s about time RecAus staffers telling its membership base why they needed to even do this. It’s not good enough to say only a few members are vocal about this. Yes a few members comment on Forums but I’m sure RecAus know the discussions off Forums is what counts.

I’m a little confused here. “Freedom to Fly” has suddenly become a concern to RecAus someone tell me why? It’s been used by AOPA since the mid 40’s and now suddenly it’s a concern to RecAus staffers and they suddenly needed to register it. Again tell me why? If RecAus staff where worried that the dynamic ribbon (by line) was possibly in need of protection why didn’t RecAus staffers highlight this to AOPA or Ben Morgan. RecAus has around 9000 plus members and AOPA has around half that number. However, AOPA members represent GA pilots and owners of large aircraft, businesses and service industry based individuals - many owning multi million dollar aircraft and businesses. I’m a member of both RecAus and AOPA and I’m now quite concerned by the sudden urgency for RecAus staffers and the position on registering this “Freedom to Fly” I believe they were cognisant that it would create this issue we read about today with AOPA and AOPA members. It is also interesting to note that a RecAus staff are indicating they will not renew it in 2017- begs the question why do this registration anyway. I hope RecAus members are willing to contribute to the RecAus fighting fund as this will end up in Court with AOPA Australia, AOPA USA and the Freedom to Fly aerobatic team I predict throwing big dollars at this. I’m guessing RecAus will need to budget for $200,000 plus in its next budget for legal, as I’m hearing AOPA members are already gearing up for a fight to support Ben Morgan and AOPA. A senseless waster of money by RecAus in registering this “Freedom to Fly”and I predict a further waste of money in the Courts.

I'm just little confused here with this 'bring them in approach'... I see so many very experienced - high hour - young pilots working trying to get a job in our Australian industry. I maybe wrong, but they seem to be over looked or not even given the opportunity. 1000 plus hours then 300 plus hours in twins and they are often told to get more experience. They hang around flying schools, adventure flight companies building hours. I bet we all know the kid at our local airfield trying to get into the airline world.

Thanks guys for this. I’m in Kingston for a week from Thursday and said I’ll check the strip for the boys here at Lethbridge Airpark. I have an RV8 myself and may see if I can get in - length and grass condition? Thanks again for the reply and the contacts. Safe flying. Bernie

Marty, thanks for the the heads up. I’m in your area at Kingston Beach next week. I’ll drive down and walk the strip. That sounds good as a few Rec Au’s guys were thinking of flying in. I said I’d check it out for them. bernie

Hi all, Some hangar discussion today about flying into Hobart and options nearby for Rec Aus aircraft Cambridge Airport immediately next to Hobart is an option, but it’s a very busy airport and limited access due to Hobart airspace etc. Are there any suitable airports nearby - Tasmanian pilots may know options? Cheers

Apparently 359 m short of runway

Vans RV8A with graphics and interior upgrades being completed

Young boy in USA had the perfect answer to The Right to Bear Arms - US Constitution “... why don’t they just ban ammunition” Mmmm out of the mouth of babes as they say