walrus

What, I think originally got my attention was the pprune posters opinion that: "Is it just me or is there a real decline in the people using these forums and therefore the amount of information we are sharing ? To me, it looks like everybody is just losing interest". Ii thought that this was relevant because perhaps coincidentally, The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee of the Senate has apparently commented on the scarcity of submissions to its latest aviation review compared to the previous forsyth review. In my opinion, there are two reasons for a lack of engagement: either things are going so well that everybody has nothing to complain about, or, the industry has given up believing that meaningful change will result from engaging with Government. Given the volume of reviews and reports over the years which appear to have been ignored, there might be some truth in the latter. If that situation is correct - that industry has given up hope, then that is dire because it presages collapse in investment, innovation, growth and jobs. As for a rosy future for RAAus, I would hope so and technically at least there is ongoing investment innovation and growth. However, we exist at the whim of the regulator and we live hand to mouth, so to speak on time limited exemptions. We are unimportant fringe dwellers -rather like illegal immigrants on protection visas. We exist at the whim of the regulator, all CASA has to do to crush us is a small act of omission - decline to renew exemptions for whatever reason and we are toast.

One track: I think this is close to the mark. I have two stepsons. Both doing important jobs for six figure ++ salaries. One likes getting his hands dirty, the other mirrors Onetracks mates son. He works twelve hour plus days talking to everyone from houston to london, has the latest sports-car and his view of manual labor is “why? I make enough money per hour to buy new rather than take the time to learn to fix things”. His idea of aviation is seat 1A business class. Given the pace and remuneration of his job that is understandable. What little free time he has is spent on me me me me behaviour. ‘’The other likes working with his hands, currently with timber and with as little skill as I had at his age. Me? Parental expectations consigned me to University and intellectual pursuits when I would have liked to be a tradesman. I’ve compensated for that now. I know a few other professionals who have done the same. I get a real kick out of flying something I built but today such delayed gratification is not popular. ‘’Furthermore the amount of red tape and administrative BS is a major barrier for new entrants.

This post on Pprune caught my eye: “ Are we loosing interest ? What's happening ? Greetings, as a regular visitor to this forum over many, many years I am noticing a real decline in what is available for me to read. Every morning without hesitation, I log online and look at a couple of forums that I have an interest in and try to keep up-to-date with all things aviation. Is it just me or is there a real decline in the people using these forums and therefore the amount of information we are sharing ? To me, it looks like everybody is just losing interest, have got too old and are not flying or they have changed to other interests and hobbies. Hopefully I am wrong and it is just a "slow period" in the life of the forum but what do others think ? Should I be looking at other avenues to feed my obsessions.” I can think of two reasons for this state of affairs……… 1. Pprune is now owned by an American Internet brands conglomerate. In my opinion, they have no interest in “colourful” topics or postings and their moderators act accordingly to remove anything or anyone controversial. The result, to quote an American author, is that reading Pprune is like drowning in maple syrup. 2. The presence and prior behaviour of CASA has a continuing “chilling effect” (to use the US Supreme Court term) on the discussion of a lot of aviation topics and subjects by Australian pilots on internet forums. Anything you write can and will be discovered and used against you if you are prosecuted or could trigger. an investigation. This is also the reason, in my opinion, for the paucity of Australian aviation content on Youtube and suchlike - CASA trawls through it looking for offences to prosecute. This is the reality of Australian Aviation: - a guilty pleasure to be enjoyed in secret.

Marty is right. Furthermore, there doesn’t appear to be any time stamping so if joe covid was there at 9.35am and left at 951 am, but you were there from 9.20 to 9.29, then you still cop 14 days for you and your whole family - with no compensation .

Good points ARO, in particular in my opinion iit is bad form to do precautionaries without permission.

I used to shake my head when reading about middle ages history and the belief in witchcraft……..until Covid came along and with it thousands of publications containing utter BS about vaccines in general and Covid19 in particular. ‘’Please get vaccinated ASAP.

Aro, if pilots were dropping out of the sky scaring the horses, wrecking your cornfield or rose garden every day you would have a point.. For most of rural Australia a landing is a red letter day. I have four undocumented strips in my “paddock” and would not hesitate to use any of them if I. thought it advisable.

By definition, PPR can only apply to marked strips contained in ERSA or suchlike. If it’s an unmarked, undocumented strip or just a paddock then there can be no argument that you didn’t land without permission, unless the law says “you can’t be anywhere without permission” which it doesn’t. It’s a bizarre situation. Furthermore the i closed lands act looks to me as a device to keep drovers out of other peoples properties(an issue during drought) and also out of events and public facilities like hospitals. ‘’The fact that something is inclosed begs the question of whether it is legally inclosed as well. There are fences everywhere in the bush for all sorts of reasons, some legal, some not. To put it another way, you would have to be unlucky in the bush to find someone who objected to a request or even a landing after an attempt was made to contact the owner. Most people understand the concept. of “a fair go”.

“nobody else around, so no need to broadcast” Gold!

Why don’t people have radio and perhaps transponder? Are they the same idiots who refuse Covid vaccination because…..freedom? At least can the non radio crowd by relegated to 500 ft circuit height…..or could they be required to have a sky echo in operation in the vicinity of airstrips so that we have some chance of alerted see and avoid?

Understood from a business use point of view although I am aware of one Cirrus pilot who flies between his network of country businesses. For social use it’s one hour flying vs. four plus hours in the car ( 2 x country miles, 2 x city traffic) each way to visit a relative. That was what I was thinking.

I note that odometer based road user charges are in vogue because electric vehicles don’t contribute directly to liquid fuel excise revenue at State or Federal levels. Folks, have you ever seen a politician pass up an opportunity to increase taxation? Neither have I. I can see road user charges being applied to all sorts of good causes; from paying for the pandemic to kindergartens. So I expect these charges will not only replace lost excise revenue, they will add significantly to our overall tax burden. ‘’Furthermore since the greens and the left inhabit inner cities with opportunities to use bicycles and public transport, the burden will fall disproportionately on country folk. So let me ask the question; doesn’t this skew transport costs in light aviation’s favour? I know light aircraft have weather related limitations, but I’m starting to think that maybe we may have a better reason to fly than just recreation. https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/registration/registration-fees/zlev-road-user-charge#What-is-a-ZLEV

ARO, I think we can agree that emergency use is OK. As for the meaning of PPR, by definition, there is no way of knowing if you will be granted permission or not. My understanding of PPR is that it’s a very very good idea to check with a strip owner regarding potential hazards. As for walking down driveways, I once had reason to discuss this with detectives. They told me that all criminals have a string of excuses about why they are on your land - they smelt smoke, heard someone calling for help, etc., etc.

Tasman, if the sign says “no entry” I’m sure you are right. But our ERSA doesn’t say ‘’no entry” , it says PPR.

As far as I know, common law has no offence of ‘being on private property “. The offence of trespass only exists when you have been told to leave and don’t. That is why signs say “trespassers prosecuted” not “people on my land will be prosecuted”. PPR is an instruction to ask for permission- you can’t be trespassing if you haven’t asked. You are only trespassing after you have been told to piss off and you refuse without excuse. As for landing, there is an obvious defence of necessity and if your motor is stuffed you can’t immediately leave can you? Furthermore, I’d be interested to see the text of any law repealing the law of gravity - banning the landing of an aircraft anywhere. Wilful damage, negligence, carriage of firearms, etc. are a different matter.

Excellent advice! I watched some of it live yesterday. ‘The ABC has belled the cat this morning: breakdown of the health system. This is the issue I was advised about on day one. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-02/victoria-hospital-covid-case-capacity-icu-beds/100420728

Dan is playing a double game...... Opening at 70 -80% will still produce deaths from an epidemic among the unvaccinated and collapse the health system. That is the problem - the "80% freedom!" idea doesn't work for any state, especially not WA, SA and TAS who have no cases. ...So Dan figures if he makes thing miserable enough then there will be widespread civil disobedience. That destroys the plan. What happens next, which is predictable, is then not Dans problem.... That is why Dan is doing what he does.

Indications from nurses; in the event of major pressure on ICU facilities: “No vaccination, then no ventilation.”. And those words are from ICU involved nurses, they aren’t going to waste time and resources on poor risks. This is exactly the same as the existing (unwritten) policy regarding smokers. Some of you might want to rethink your vaccination strategy

Taxiing isn’t flying.

what it means is that if you have any criminal record, no matter how minor, you will never be a pilot.

So taxiing is OK?

I have ADSB and my initial comment is that relying on it in a circuit is potentially suicidal for two reasons. 1. You do NOT want your head down looking at a screen and trying to make sense of positions - you don’t have enough time. You are just asking to lose situational awareness. You need to be looking out because things happen fast. This is especially important if there is confusion about north up/track up, someone with a bad radio, poor english, verbal dihorea , wrong runway selection, etc. or marginal flying skills like me. 2. Unless you can ensure that everyone has an operating ADSB out capability, you cannot positively ensure your own separation. You can receive a false sense of security. Where I currently value ADSB is: (a) setting up my circuit entry where there are likely to be multiple players before I make my entry and first radio call. I might decide to do an orbit and wait for the RV rocket behind me to go first, or helimed or Vicpol or firebird. (b) away from the circuit, ensuring separation with the many aircraft I would never normally even see. It’s great to have it but be careful to confirm what you see on the screen.

Be aware that if you have an unpaid fine, your car registration won’t renew. Neither will you be travelling overseas. Nor ever getting a Government job. Nor will they ever get a pilots licence or any other licence. There is a “hard core” of protesters who don’t care what the protest issue is; they just want a chance to punch on with Police. The first time a protester is arrested and charged, it is under the public health Act. The protester will be bailed pretty much automatically. If they turn up again at a protest, it is an offence under the Bail Act - they are reoffending, the Magistrate now gives them three months in the slammer. A little bird told me that is what is now happening to these richard craniums.

Rumor is that Dan Andrews is about to try a “super lockdown”…….

40+ cases in Victoria will be announced tomorrow