-Rod-

Hi Gents, A NZ Drifter Pilot, Kelly Martin is after some spare parts, original engine mounts for the Rotax upright 582. A contact for a supplier appreciated that I will forward on. Cheers Rod Birrell AirSports Flying School (Victoria) [email protected]

If you want to put quality and reliability ahead of price, with good support, local service and factory guarantee (Melbourne), consider the ICOM A220 panel mount. Includes excellent dual com feature. See Icom Australia | Everything in Radio: Air Band | IC-A220

Also a question, the privately run aviation weather decode site has been down for some time, it was at http://www.pemet.com.au, any advice as to its status? Where is it now ?

Looks like a change occurred : "Head to www.bom.gov.au/GAF/index.shtml" Reply "BOM : Bureau Home > Page not found" One link currently working is at: Graphical Area Forecasts

Sorry, typo, posting at the back of the clock always a problem .....

BOM site user guide for Graphical Area Forecasts http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/data/education/GAF-user-guide-V1_final_15SEPT2017.pdf For an easy to use overview for flight plan winds, see Windy TV .com see Windy as forecasted zoom in for more detail, all the way to an airfield location. It will also display wind forecasts for specific nominated heights - worth looking at as an added information aid. Roid Birrell

As another option Airsports Flying School at Riddells Creek has a Storch available for $165 for local flights. Of course there is an expectation that renting pilots are current, capable and reliable. The Topaz for $220 solo is also available (although not very often due to its training role.) See www.airsports.net. Syndicate purchase is also available at most recreational airfields around Melbourne. Typical running costs of $45 per hour a lot more affordable!! Rod, Airsports

Cameras at high points on transit lanes worth extra consideration in survey, as an example MtWilliam north of Melbourne, 'seeing' the actual cloud base and wind in real time would be a great advantage along high use lanes.

A little off topic however a 'permit to fly' is available on application to fly to a point of repair. With conditions of course. This can be completed directly with approved CASA/RAAus officers, contact the RAAus Tech Department for specific advice.

A positive function of the Rec Flying Forum are the down to earth views that are given. Sometime the advice is on the harsh side, the anonymous nature of posts can be a problem, however most contributors are fair and frank. The RAAus Board is continuously looking at its various business functions and Sport Pilot magazine is no different. Current REC/Forum views on Sport Pilot Magazine and the future direction it should take would be appreciated - to be forwarded to the RAAus Board. Rod Birrell

ICOM Australia aviation radio dealers sell an ICOM factory cig lighter lead with noise filter (and fuse) designed for the ICOM A20. Some may have units 'on the shelf'. If you want one I have a couple available (we used them on our Drifters at the flying school), on the members market, new but old stock (no Drifters anymore).

Agree, well presented case. The goal here, to encourage the culture change needed within RAA - a difficult mission! Rod Birrell

The problem is that no robust documented safety case was presented to prove multiple compulsory homebuilt aircraft stage inspections were necessary. RAA's serious accidents do not show this area of our operations is a problem. A cost benefit analysis would also have been a good idea with regard to the new rule changes. No one doubts advisory, non compulsory, regular, competent, peer advice is recommended with any homebuilt project. In the same way that the SAAA and the EAA work with their homebuilt projects. Multiple compulsory inspections, that are likely to come with legal liability problems (over who approved or didn't approve the airworthiness standard of any particular project) is in my view going to be an ongoing problem for RAA. Rod Birrell

When I started on the board, I was critical of some decisions made by previous boards. These included giving every board member a free ASIC, paying for board members’ partners to fly-in to meetings and accommodating them at members expense and having an open bar for the board after meetings. SportPilot October 2016 The above comments really should not go unanswered. Every RAAus Board member did not receive a free ASIC card - and that is a fact. It was made available on request. I expect most Board members did not apply for a ‘free’ card (including myself when a Board member). Those that did may well have needed it to attend unpaid RAA meetings/events held at or via ASIC airports Paying for commercial airfares for partners of Board members attending RAA meetings was never a Board policy. Travel with a partner in a car or sport aircraft in company with a Board member was not an additional cost for RAA nor a financial problem, just as occupying the same hotel room was never a cost for RAA. Having staff and partners join the Board for a meal after an official RAA meeting has been considered a justifiable expense. The Board has a responsible drinking policy, this policy has been if force for years and i expect its constrains will continue to be followed in the future. Board members wishing to drink more were always expected to do so at their own cost. Yes, there is a cost to have a Board of directors, this cost compared to the cost of running RAA as a whole or other organisations such as CASA are absolutely minimal. RAA is getting good value for its money (or lack of it). My concern here is that is by implication the previous and ongoing financial loss by RAA, is to be attributed, even in part, to excessive spending by RAA Board members. For the record supporting this view is neither fair, reasonable or true. Rod Birrell

Just for the record the current RAA Tech Manual was initially produced as a confidential 'secret document'. Requests to release the manual in the same way as CASA, as a NPRM (Notice of proposed rule making), were refused and the new Tech Manual regulations have been implemented. Other than a select group of persons this manual was not seen by RAA members in advance of its introduction. Not an ideal result for RAA sport aircraft pilots, builders and maintainers. Having as wide a group as possible view proposed rule changes always ensures a better end result. My view, is that this is what should have happened with the new RAA Tech Manual. Rod Birrell

It is interesting that those current RAAus board members calling for a more business focus for the Board (and there is nothing wrong with that) are the same ones that have advocated RAAus continuing to operate at a loss. This is not a good business practice and not sustainable. We are not talking thousands of dollars, its a hundred thousands dollars plus, year after year. The current budget also plans to operate at a loss. On the aircraft registration compliance issue this matter is and was managed by RAAus Managers, the RAAus Tech Manager with oversight by the CEO. The reports the Board were receiving from the Managers at the time were that RAAus was completely meeting its requirements and from CASA that RAAus was compliant. It was not until a RAAus manager left RAAus and took up a role with CASA that non-compliance issues were being reported. The Board responsibility was to fix the problem. With new administrative procedures, a very expensive database upgrade a new Tech Manager and a new CEO's the problem has been resolved. Day to day administrative matters were (and still are) the responsibility of RAAus full time paid staff. Under the old RAAus the executives took on the next line of responsibility to ensure compliance issues were being met, followed closely by the full Board. Blaming the Board for creating this problem is nearsighted, blaming the RAAus Board for not fixing the problem would have been valid however, clearly, this is not the case as compliance issues have been fixed. Rod Birrell

Just for the record it was proposed that the new Tech Manual be presented to RAAus Members in the same way as a notice of proposed rule making would be by CASA. Unfortunately this proposal did not achieve majority support within RAAus. As a result a new TM has been implemented without member consultation. What can anyone do about this now? A new RAAus Board will be elected soon. Please take the time, write to all RAAus Board members individually, and state the policy concerns you have. Be logical, be factual and itemise items if you can to ensure the best result. How successfully will this be? Well one thing is for sure if no one states their case then you can be guaranteed that nothing will change. There may be one additional problem, obtaining contact details for new RAAus Board members may be a little difficult to obtain! Rod Birrell

Like most NQ pilots I have come across Frank had a passion for flying that you could only admire. I had the pleasure of some 'off work' time when Frank guided me around the Hinkler Museum when we met in Bundaberg after the RAAus CFI seminar. Frank was generous with his time, he worked hard for RAAus pilots while on the RAAus Board and well represented pilots views while he held that position. Really pleased the time was put aside for this memorial event.

The important thing here is that the Constitution Change was put to RAAus members as a change that had the full support of the Board, and it didn't. If good Board governance is anything about due process then this action probably represents the single biggest failure of good corporate governance in our organisations history. RAAus members also expected an open discussion on the merits or otherwise of such a significant change in Sport Pilot, this did not occur and was not allowed to occur. The presentation of the new constitution was very well stage managed and yet the end result, my view, was so disappointing.

Personally I would have preferred the Members Market to have remained as an 'in house' service to members. Many RAAus pilots have said the me the first thing they would do when receiving their hard copy of Sport Pilot was to read from the back first to check out the Members Market. Now the majority of our members do not receive the printed magazine and from the feedback I have received, a significantly reduced number read the electronic version. Having RAAus take back the on-line presentation of the MM is something I would support. Of course I can only represent my views, any decision on this mater would depend on the new Board, the persons selected and their support or otherwise for change.

It is important to note here that the new RAAus Constitution was presented to RAAus members for their consideration, by the Board without the Board signing off on the document. No vote was taken by the Board. No vote was taken at a face to face Board meeting, and no poll was taken via the RAAus Board forum, the official means of correspondence for Board discussion and voting for periods between face to face Board meetings (either at or after the documents signed by the President were sent to RAAus members). In advance RAAus members were told the new constitution had the full support of the Board when clearly this was not true. For something as important as a completely new constitution I must admit I remain profoundly disappointed the new constitution process was not managed better with both the 'for' and 'against' cases being allowed to be presented before the vote was taken. Rod Birrell

Hello Sue, On Finances, the biggest single outgoing was the IT/Website upgrade as a one off. It was a necessary expense. The ongoing costs are primarily wages, RAAus has reduced its administrative staff at the lower cost level as a result of IT efficiencies however it has employed more staff at a middle management level. We also have a notable budget allocation going forwards for marketing costs. The settlement of legal costs was significant however at this stage it is not an ongoing problem for RAAus. Magazine sales have been poor with members not taking up the forecast number of subscriptions and this has adversely effected our expected income. There are no 'bear traps' there for RAAus we are simply spending too much without sufficient income. On the income level we have a reduced membership base, I have no access to current numbers however from around 10,000 to a recent figure of an estimated 8,600. Unfortunately with reduced income we need to reduce expenditure. Yes we can run a balanced budget, it can be done. Weight Increase, Yes, if we can gain an an increase in the maximum weight for our class of aircraft we will gain more members and our income will increase, a case of what is good of our members will be good for RAAus's bottom line. This matter is actively being actively pursued by RAAus. Sport Pilot, I believe RAAus policy on making the hard cover version of Sport Pilot an op-in option, with a high fee to do so, was not a good policy. Many members have said they thought to move was sneaky, that they did not like the online version, that they would not read it online, and they would not pay the high fee for getting the printed version, something they received for "free" previously. My proposal is to be upfront with our members and include the distribution of the magazine (for members only) at cost. That is only charge for actual printing and postage costs, previously estimated to be around $45 per year. For those that have no wish to have the printed magazine they could 'opt-out' and save the $45 per year (approx). Even if the actual costs came to a higher $55 per year it would still be a good deal for everyone. I submit this would be a fairer way of distributing Sport Pilot magazine, more RAAus pilots would subscribe and those that would rather save the money could opt-out and continue to receive the electronic copy. Insurance The insurance cover for pilots and maintainers it would not need to be compulsory, it could be an opt-in offer. Prices can be obtained for both options and presented to our members when the actual fee options are known. With our electronic communication the insurance options and the fees could easily be present to our members via an email survey - very little cost, with a very fast response - democracy in action! Support to other Sport Aviation bodies, A mutually beneficial proposal, we have the professional skills in our office with a very capable and competent team including a CEO that performs at the highest level. We have the capability to provide administrative support and operational support to like minded bodies. We could offer our services at a cost that would be of value to other organisations yet profitable to RAAus, a classic win-win. Cheers Rod Birrell

I was until recently a current RAAus Board member and the immediate Past President of RAAus. I have been a member of the AUF/RAAus since its inception, and I have been teaching sport aviation pilots since 1972 (yes well before the AUF/RAAus was formed). My efforts and the efforts of Eugene Reid as the longest serving member of the RAAus Board, Frank Marriot the newest serving member of the RAAus Board and a good number of others on the Board have been to develop and promote RAAus pilots best interests, aircraft owners rights and those of the industry as a whole. Unfortunately our efforts have not always been successful with the full RAAus Board deciding to approve some most unfortunate regulatory changes. Being reflective I feel preserving the 'freedom of flight' is becoming more an aspirational goal than a reality with a number of our current policies. As an individual RAAus member you can effect a positive change by voting for the candidates that will look after both you and the sports best interest. As a candidate for the new RAAus Ltd Board I am happy to put forward the following policies, and this is by no means a complete list. The formal RAAus election statements were restricted in how long they could be, we were prohibited from including certain information and we were require to detail pre nominated skill sets. This left little room to detail all views, policy positions, and past performance in the document. I am happy to document some of my policy positions, it is by no means a complete list. I believe in and will work to achieve ... The continuing right to build and maintain your own aircraft without excessive regulations, maintain the right to be able to complete your own aircraft maintenance without unnecessary restrictions, not support the introduction, either now or in the future, compulsory annual condition reports for all aircraft, not support the introduction of legally binding maintenance release type 'sign offs' every day you fly, and not implement punitive RAAus ramp checks. We need to be active in obtaining easier access to both restricted and controlled airspace for RAAus pilots (VFR lanes, improved access times, change to levels and ease of obtaining clearances for appropriately trained RAAus pilots), our light sport aircraft policy needs to (and hopefully will) ensure change to allow a manufacturers MTOW to be used as the certification maximum weight, and not an arbitrary 600kg. On Sport Pilot magazine and its distribution as a hard copy, I have detailed my policy recommendations in my election statement. On insurance we need an industry wide pilot life insurance for all RAAus pilots (opt in - user pays). We need better liability protection insurance for RAAus flying schools (opt in, user pays). We need an industry wide cost effective 3rd party liability insurance cover for all RAAus L2 and above maintainers (paid for by maintainers) so that our ever diminishing level of maintainers are able to completed their work, in many cases unpaid, without the fear of being taken to court. As a vision and a goal RAAus needs to move further towards a member support role, if we take this position many of the decisions on new regulations and new controls will be evaluated in a more favourable way. If we take the position that our primary function is as the regulator, in a CASA type fashion, we will continue to make poor decisions and introduce poor policies. On finances, RAAus is running at a loss, and it has done so for many years. We are talking of hundreds of thousands of dollars lost, year after year. Our reserves, so hard won, are being spent at an unsustainable rate. Its simple, we must stop running at a loss, increase revenue and cut costs, its inevitable and as a policy it should be implemented now. In picking suitable Board members I recommend you hunt down what each individual prospective Board members policies are, evaluate not only if they are capable to do the job, ask what will they be working for. As I am no longer on the current RAAus Board I am free to respond on any policy matters. As a new member to this Forum I am contributing with some trepidation, I ask any posts in reply stick to what is needed going forwards. Fighting for good policies is a worthy endeavour, engaging in personal attack is not such an admirable goal. In saying this your feedback is welcomed! I am standing for election, I ask for you favourable consideration when casting your vote. Rodney Birrell RAAus Board Member candidate

RAAus Director Elections Link

A RAAus election info update; Nominations for the RAAus Board closed recently. RAAus has received 10 nominations for the 5 positions available on the new Board. Under the new Constitution process the current Board of 13 has been 'retired' and no longer hold office with the exception of the RAAus executive (3 members). One member of the executive is standing for the current election, the previous secretary, the remaining two are exempted from standing at the current election. Four RAAus Board members from the old RAAus are renominating. Rod Birrell 'Retired' RAAus Board member