FlyingVizsla

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

Search the forum - there was a long and involved discussion on this about a year ago. Sue

North of Rocky - Hedlow airport, Old Byfield Rd Way West of Rocky - Dululu (Dixalea Deeford Rd, Dixalea)

There was a questionnaire about NATFLY a couple (?) of years ago from RAA - the results might still be kicking around the office somewhere. Last year the webcam just showed the last frame from the previous Natfly (the Jab tent closing up). Could that be active again and have more than one vantage point. As for working out how many are coming - SAAA have a "booking" form on their Ausfly site. No charge to book in, although you can book & pay for dinner etc. That way they know how many are coming, and how many flying in. Perhaps we could do something similar - it isn't a commitment, but could given an estimation of the numbers attending. Sue

Weather is an issue for a venue too. We have not been to Temora for NATFLY (but have visited other events there by car). Both husband & I are RAA members. He was never happy about the move to Temora. Now AusFly is an annual event at Narromine we are using that as our annual aviation fix. Easter is also a difficult time to get time off work (parents of children on school holidays get preference). We both have jobs that ignore public holidays, if Easter falls on our days off, we can get there - it hasn't happened for 3 years. It takes all Friday to get to Natfly to find we have missed a whole day and the thing finishes on Saturday - so we only get one day, where we would prefer Sat-Sun, leaving Fri & Mon for travel. Sue

The nominees for the North Qld RAA rep are on the Member's only Portal Ross Millard David Marteene Their statements are also there. NQ members, your task is to read, ask around about these two, make a decision and VOTE. Sue

In the successful organisations that have the office limitation rule, they also have succession planning. For example where I am Treasurer, they have 2 Vice Presidents, President and Past President. Aspiring Presidents have to serve a term as Vice before the members vote for one of the 3 (within term limits) for President. This stops someone getting on the Board and becoming President before getting experience. They also have Assistants to the other Office Bearers. An Heir & a Spare and two to four to share the workload. Might work with RAA - that way you don't lose the Pres, Sec, Treasurer knowledge at elections. Sue

Maj, I can't remember Tubbs calling for anyone's instant dismissal - I believe he came out against that when others were baying for Ed's head. I can also attest the the huge amount of research that he has done on the RAA members' behalf to unearth documents and post links, so that we can be better informed. Unfortunately he copped flack for that too. This thread is discussing the amendment, not about fighting amongst ourselves. Sue Please ... keep it civil ... there are ladies present

I am not sure I would support this one. I have supported it in smaller organisations where the same stressed out volunteer gets brow beaten into continuing to do a job they need to take a break from. This usually happens at an AGM that few members attend. On the down side - some very capable people have had to stand down, and an inexperienced person nominated in their place. RAAus, however, has far more members and it is up to the member to put themselves forward for election and the constituents to vote them in. Looking at the AUF/RAA Board history, there have not been that many who have done more than 6 years. I see the problem being voter apathy; where some who bother to vote, just vote for the status quo, without being aware of the achievements (or lack) of their present member. As Turbo noted, there have been some outstanding people (usually Presidents) who have led their respective organisations to a level of excellence that can only come with continuity. Sue

Welcome Himat, We need your experience on this forum! There are quite a number of builders here. We have finished one project and thinking about the next..... I think it is a disease. Sue