FlyingVizsla

Pick up a copy of "What Color is your Parachute" (A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career-Changers) by Richard N Bolles. It looks like it comes out revised and updated every year, so old editions should be readily available at Op-shops and book exchanges. I picked up the 2004 edition free; and the advice is still relevant 10 years later. He is American, but has based his book on research which includes Australia and New Zealand. The distilled message is that success is in proportion to effort. He suggests targeting the job you want, researching the company, phoning, visiting and asking for the person who does the hiring, being prepared, courteous, succinct and following up with a Thank You. He points out that the success rate for internet applications and sending resumes to all and sundry is about 2%. There's lots more in the book, including an exercise for you to determine your "dream job" Well worth a read. Sue

I have had a look at Budget & actuals to Feb 2014 (the latest Profit & Loss available on the Members Portal). The budget is spot on for income, but over estimated expenditure (we made some savings). Factoring in depreciation we have a loss of $195,780. Extrapolating that to the full year we lose less than $300,000. Bear in mind that there are seasonal changes in expenditure, possibly a term deposit to mature and a CASA payment to come. I note there have been some expenditure this year that will save us money in the future. Computer systems have been upgraded and I hear that the aircraft records are being digitised. That will cause a spike in wages and computer, but should then make renewals far easier and cheaper. Getting this on-line in a Self-Service portal will save more, being able to do bank transfers BPay or other than Credit Card payments should save on Merchant fees. I will have a further look at last year Vs this year; preferably when March 2014 P&L is available on the Members Portal as March 2013 is the earliest released. I can then give you an idea of how we are compared to last year (eg has membership dropped?) We are coming off years of profit with quite a nest egg. RAA is a NOT for Profit - using some of the fat of previous years to improve our future is what we should be doing. Some things have been put off for too long. Excellent budget, by the way, Jim T. Sue

I assume this information ($2.5mil, $442k loss) comes from the 2013/14 budget spreadsheet on the RAA Members Portal. Before we get too carried away, have a look at the formulas. Some of these are not correct; for example Cell N29 & N129 do not add up the entire line. The financial year is nearly finished, so it might be wise to compare the P&L statements with the budget. There has been some big expenditure (eg computer systems & digitising records) that may save future expenditure. A budget is a guide and best guess until reality catches up. I am busy for the rest of the day, but will try to look this over tonight. So talk amongst yourselves until then, but definitely talk to Jim Tatlock. Sue

ATSB final report released: What happened On 17 December 2012, a Cessna 182A aircraft registered VH-SGB, impacted with electrical powerlines that ran alongside a parachute drop zone at Burrum River, Queensland. The pilot was planning to attend a Christmas function at the drop zone and was flying to an airstrip located about 1.5 km to the north. After contacting the powerlines, the aircraft was seen to climb and continue to fly for approximately 500m before the right wing separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and the pilot was fatally injured. Safety message A minimum height of 500 ft AGL for flight over non-populated areas is promulgated for very long standing safety reasons. Pilots who choose to fly below this height without an operational reason to do so are exposing themselves, and any passengers that may be on board, to an increased risk of striking powerlines, many of which are difficult to see from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight. The circumstances of this accident highlight that risk. http://www.atsb.com.au/publications/investigation_reports/2012/aair/ao-2012-170.aspx Open the pdf file to read the full report.

I attended an information session in Maryborough Qld last week to get the good oil on progress with the Maryborough Gliding Club. They are a keen bunch hoping to get a hangar built at the airport to house the three gliders available to the Club. At present two of them are sharing digs with other aircraft at M'boro. The Fraser Coast Council has come on board with favourable terms regarding a lease to the Club for the hangar and they have a Gliding Instructor. There were about 20 people interested on the night. The following is an extract from the newspaper article (which appears in a number of syndicated papers including the Fraser Coast Chronicle):- "There is a glider suitable for training pilots based in Maryborough and will be available for hire to members once our operations start," Ms Neisler said. For more information, phone Janet Neisler on 4124 3089. Janet soloed at Maryborough in a glider about 1974. Good luck to them & I hope to have a dual one day soon. Sue

They are "home" YKTN. Just hope no phishers read the blog (DOBs passport No.s etc). Or CASA notice the passenger flying bit. Fortunately there are some lessons to be learned by reading the Blog for anyone considering an "outback" trip.

CASA is not, but Airservices is (Dip Air Traffic Control & Dip/Cert fire fighting) Search for RTOs and courses here: http://training.gov.au/

Keith, I still don't get it. If CASA does aircraft registration and pilot licences; there's no need to be a member of RAAus. No members, no income, so why become a school? If you search for already established RTOs on https://training.gov.au/Search There are 95 organisations offering just one of the courses - AVI08 - Aviation Training Package (which includes aerobatics, human factors, radio, flight planning) and no doubt there are courses for avionics, mechanics, airframe etc. Why would RAA want to compete?

I am a bit confused. If CASA does rego & licence - what will RAA teach? Where do the Flying Training Schools fit into this? Are you suggesting a centralised training place? Canberra?

TAFE can tailor a course to suit your needs. This was some years ago, but 10 of us approached TAFE with the help of a qualified GA instructor who had worked as a TAFE instructor in another field. He designed and presented the course, we paid a fee and got a Statement of Attainment (or some other acknowledgement). Someone on this forum arranged a welding course through TAFE in Canberra. It can be done, and gets cheaper when done frequently. There is scope to co-operate with SAAA who do building & maintenance courses. Some of the larger flying schools have RTO. The Educational institutions who teach Aviation Certificates, Degrees & Diplomas have qualified people in both aviation and education and can call on other disciplines such as safety, mechanics. Our own flying instructors are trained and have a syllabus. RAAus may not have to re-invent the wheel. Sue

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) is aware that the cost associated in entering the aviation industry and maintaining skills once qualified can be a burden on current and potential future pilots and technical trainees. To emphasise the importance of new people entering the regional aviation industry and the continued education of current people we have arranged partnerships with member organisations to award scholarships to individuals meeting the criteria to assist them completing their studies or that advance current participants in regional aviation skills. Scholarships are being offered in the following fields Apprentice Scholarships, LAME Scholarships, and Pilot Scholarships. Applications close 31 July 2014 For more details see http://www.raaa.com.au/scholarships.html

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) National Convention is highly regarded as a premier annual aviation event and attracts key industry leaders, regional operators, technical experts, manufacturers and suppliers. CASA, the government and other regulatory bodies are well represented and contribute significantly to the program. Importantly, the event is open to members and non-members providing a tremendous benefit to the industry as a whole. http://www.raaa.com.au/convention.html

Not me (unfortunately), but Alan & Terry; two blokes who enjoy tootling around Oz and now trying an overseas trip. Currently getting to grips with the complexities of Customs and the unpopularity of Avgas. Their blog shows a great sense of humour. Sue

Asking at a fly-in (wasn't that what the GM did?) ignores the remote area people, and those too busy or working to attend. There is no conclusive way to get the real feeling of all the members; even a reply paid envelope and voting form hardly gets 2%. Magazine - I get 2 magazines on-line with a paper version posted for my husband and I have it read before his arrives. He is a dinosaur when it comes to computers, but got an iPad earlier this year and now enjoys surfing the web. I would like to forego my magazine for an on-line one and save RAA money. We are slowly packing up to move over the next couple of years and I can tell you the magazines weigh a tonne - my husband does not like tossing anything out. In the Members Only portal there is an archive of past editions (only a few, but give them time! Or volunteer to scan). From my experience, younger members like on-line because that's what they are most comfortable with. Grey Nomads like on-line because it is easy to carry when caravanning or flying safari (see the Blacksheep & Ugly Duckling thread & blog). Libraries like on-line because they don't have to dispose of editions that are out of date to save storage. I volunteer at the Visitor Information Centre - that's where I'll be all day - listening to travellers & fliers. Sue

Royal Aero Club of WA - Every last Friday of the month (check time with Club) Formation Friday Every Last Friday of the month a group of like minded aviation enthusiasts take to the skies in tandem for quite a spectacle both in the sky and to observe on the ground. The more the merrier and an experience you won't forget. Old Fliers Group The Old Fliers Group is an association of aviation enthusiasts who meet on the last Friday of each month at the Royal Aero Club of WA at Jandakot in Western Australia. The purpose of Old Fliers is to promote comradeship and share and preserve aviation history. There is over 370,000 flying hours of experience between the members in this group! Call the club and see how you can get involved! http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au/events/details/id/152/

Fly-In to Casino Beef Week Muster 2014! Casino Aero Club and Beef Week, welcome all aviators, aircraft, family and friends to the 'Aviation Muster' at Casino Airport, northern NSW. Sunday 1st June 2014 Fly in on Saturday stay the night and enjoy the Beef Week activities. Sat: Beef Week Parade; Sun Family Fun Day: Both days Joy Flights and lots of Beef Week activities. Supported by Beef Week Festival and for info: www.casinobeefweek.com.au Contact: Russell Kennedy 0427 627 477 Or Debbie Kennedy 0438 627 607

Tumbarumba Flying Club The club has a regular flying days on the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 9.00 am - 12.00pm BBQ brunch regularly, visitors are welcome. Alternate contact details 02 69482510, 02 69488276 Address is 780 Taradale Rd Taradale. YTBM elevation 2020 ft.

The journey to become a pilot is filled with ups and downs. In strategic partnership with the Western Australian Aviation College and BecomeaPilot.com.au; The Royal Aero Club of WA is proud to present the Become a Pilot Open Day. Upstairs at the Club on Sunday 25th May from 9am Consisting of 4 seminars spread across the day, run back to back; each covering the paths you can take and how you can become a pilot - your way! The day will also feature the chance to take to the skies in a Cessna 152 beside a qualified pilot. Reserve your booking for the day or take your flight after your seminar. For those of you with a keen desire, packages will be available to take you to your first solo. Explore our facilities, learn how to plan a flight and become a member of the Royal Aero Club. Bookings are essential as spaces are limited http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au/events/details/id/150/

Royal Aero Club of WA - www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au Due to our Open Day taking place on the same day; May's Jandakot competition will be starting at an earlier time than usual. A 07:45 registration will lead to 08:00 briefing. http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au/events/details/id/120/ Score sheet available to download. Flapless / Glide Approach - Two For the Price of One Christmas comes early as the Club gives you two circuits for the price of one. The challenge is to perform a glide approach (when was the last time you practised this?), followed by a low level circuit and spot landing. A busy time but great for your skills and great value. Double the fun with two failures at once. Not only has the engine failed but the flaps are gone as well. Full points if you land on the numbers.

Alice Springs Aero Club - www.asac.com.au Come along to meet & welcome our new CFI and see what everyone's been up to. There will be a light BBQ dinner $5 & drinks starting around 5.30pm, and as always, Members, Friends, Partners and their Families all welcome.

Narromine Aero Club Friday night BBQ get together

What about some vague (or made up) predictions from Nostradamus? I am surprised no-one has quoted one of his quatrains and reprinted The Prophesies for another generation. I expect it was some catastrophic event that disabled all on board. The uncertainty is getting us a lot of remote sea bed mapping and hands on practice with high tech equipment, and a rethink of airline systems (longer battery life on black box, satellite tracking etc). Hope they find it & solve the puzzle before it happens again. I feel for the Chinese. With their one child policy for a couple of generations now, it means they have lost any hope of descendants with the death of their only child, who may have been the only child of an only child.

Keith, see my post on the GM resigns thread. His job is described in the Ops Manual and in his position description. His job is way bigger than making sure the bills are paid and the filing done. About $100,000 more. https://www.raa.asn.au/2014/05/position-vacant-general-manager/ If you know someone who is adept at nailing jelly to a tree; get them to apply. No one has said the paper magazine will be abolished. But members saying "Save the printing and postage - I'll read it on-line - thanks." will save RAA money and might save putting up memberships when postage goes up. Last year RAA spent $327,133 on the magazine and I am not sure how much of the $48,567 postage was the magazine. That's over $32 per member. SAAA - RAA already has a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with them (and they with us) from 2009, signed by Eugene Reid & others. You should read it - RAA, Members Only Portal, Partnerships, SAAA MoU. A straw poll costs nothing, but a formal vote (with reply paid envelopes, postage to our 10,000 members, staff resources to print, collate, etc) well, that costs Tens of Thousands. That should only be done when the concept is mature. Would you have been happier if one of the Board members had asked the same questions? One downside to amalgamating AOPA, RAA & SAAA (and other RAOs) is that people like me are members of several. At present RAA can say "We represent 10,000, AOPA 7,000 etc, but once amalgamated I would only be counted once. The new body would have less members than the sum of the previous parts. Politicians take note of numbers. That aside, there are a lot of good reasons to co-operate and find savings where we can. Sue

The General Manager's responsibilities are set out in the Ops Manual (this manual is getting a re-write) RA-Aus OPERATIONS MANUAL ISSUE 6 - JULY 2007 SECTION 1.01 ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION The day-to-day administration of the RA-Aus is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer, who functions in accordance with the directions issued by the Executive Members of the RA-Aus Board. The GM is not an office manager - we already have one of them (used to be Julie Roll). His role is far more pro-active and innovative. Read the job description here: https://www.raa.asn.au/2014/05/position-vacant-general-manager/ Among other things the "... ability to implement strategy and shape the future of RA-Aus under the direction of the board." Remember the previous bloke was tasked to re-write the Tech & Ops Manuals. He is also the Public Officer under the Associations Incorporation Act (ACT). When an organisation is in crisis, a certain type of person is required to get it back on its feet. The best person for that job may not be the best for a stable organisation. Working for a committee is more difficult (in my experience) than working for a company. Best wishes for the next person - if you know a suitable candidate, encourage them to apply. Sue

Financial members are invited to nominate (vide Constitution Item 13) for the following Board vacancies: Northern Queensland South Queensland (No.2) Victoria (No.2) New South Wales (No.1) New South Wales (No.3) Tasmania Northern Territory Members may obtain a corrected nomination form from the RA-Aus website http://www.raa.asn.au/2014/05/call-for-nominations-group-a/ Please note the South Australian position is not part of this Group A election (as indicated – incorrectly – in the May 2014 Sport Pilot insert). Completed Nomination Forms (included with pre-paid envelopes in this issue) and Election Statements must be received at the Association’s Head Office before c.o.b. on Friday, 13th June 2014 Candidates for positions as Board Members of the Association shall be entitled to submit an election statement for publication both on the Association’s website, and in Sport Pilot magazine at no cost to the candidate. Statement requirements are set out in By-Law 4. Typewritten Statements can either be posted to our Head Office, or forwarded by email (together with the candidate’s Nomination Form) to [email protected], prior to the nomination close at c.o.b. EST on Friday, 13th June 2014. The statement must include a declaration of all income, remuneration or honoraria deriving from aviation related interests. Such organisations shall include those of sole trader, partnership, unincorporated association, incorporated association or limited liability company. In keeping with the Board’s governance role, Statements should primarily and specifically address the nominee’s expertise and experience of policy and strategy development, implementation and review. Nominees are also asked to provide a recent digital portrait image suitable for online publication. After close of nominations, all statements received shall be printed in Sport Pilot magazine and on the Association’s website, in alphabetical order (by surname). Mark Clayton Public Officer