DWF

Here is the CASA summary of the proposal: http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/newrules/download/spc-cd1425ss.pdf and a draft of the proposed Instrument: http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/newrules/download/consult-draft-cd1425ss.pdf You have until 20th November (next Thursday) to get your objections or other comments in to Lee Ungermann at CASA. DWF

It would appear from the budget figures and Andy's response that RAAus does not (directly) derive any income from adverising published in the magazine (except for the Members Market). One hopes that such income, presumeably accruing to the publisher, defrays some of the cost (to RAAus) of producing the magazine. DWF

The only problem there is that the problem the flying car is trying to fix still exists. i.e. The car and the hangar are only at one airport (unless you have lots of $$$). At all the other airports you are still without a car and hangar (so you still have to hire these). DWF

I feel that our magazine “Sport Pilot” has been wrongly maligned as a villain that is dragging down RAAus finances. As far as I am aware, since AUF times, the cost of a subscription to the Association newsletter/magazine has been a component of the membership fee and so all members are entitled to a (hard) copy of that publication. According to the 2013-14 budget (on the RAAus web site members’ area) the cost of publishing 12 issues of the magazine was $358,168. During that same period the magazine generated $16,828 from newsagent sales plus $33,807 from members’ market ads. So the net cost of publishing Sport Pilot last year was $307,533. If that cost is spread over 10,000 members it is $30.75 per member per year or just $2.56 per copy – one third of the news stand price of $7.70! The way the proposal to distribute the magazine in electronic form and then charge those members who wish to still have it in hard copy an extra fee is a very thinly disguised attempt to raise membership fees yet again. They increased by $25/year (13.5%) only 10 months ago! I do not believe that the cost of publication of Sport Pilot has contributed to the deficit. It may well be 14% of RAAus expenses but it is also only 13.95% of our membership fee. The deficit situation we find ourselves in is NOT as a result of publishing Sport Pilot, it is a result of increased wages and salaries and the ever increasing cost of compliance with CASA requirements. Publishing the magazine in electronic format could reduce the cost by a significant amount – if the publication in hard copy ceased. This would IMHO also considerably reduce the perceived member benefit for a significantly large number of members. The cost of publishing in electronic format in addition to hard copy format is probably very low, if there is additional cost at all. I think a decision to abruptly and unilaterally cease publishing the magazine in hard copy is very poor PR and will alienate a large proportion of the RAAus membership. DWF

The WA Associations Incoporation Act is in the process of being changed/updated. The proposed new model rules includes the following: 16.1 Procedure for General Meetings (a) General Meetings may take place: (i) where the Members are physically present together; or (ii) where the Members are able to communicate by using any technology that reasonably allows the Member to participate fully in discussions as they happen in the General Meeting and in making any decisions, provided that the participation of the Member in the General Meeting must be made known to all other Members. (b) A Member who participates in a meeting as set out in rule 16.1(a)(ii): (i) is deemed to be present at the General Meeting; and (ii) continues to be present at the meeting for the purposes of establishing a quorum, until the Member notifies the other Members that he or she is no longer taking part in the General Meeting. Would the ACT Act allow a similar rule to be included in the RAAus constitution? For more details see: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/atom/3891 DWF

Andy Will the 2014/15 budget and the 2015/2016 preliminary budget be available for member perusal? If so, when and where? With which items in the budget did the 5 against disagree? DWF

It looks like the CEO or someone on the Board has been reading my post (on another thread) or is at least in tune with my thoughts: "The procedure (if there is one) for amending RAAus manuals is very ad hoc at present. These documents should be reviewed on a regular (programmed) basis - say every 2 years. If changes are deemed necessary (by the subject matter experts and with user input/suggestions) then it should go through a process similar to the CASA NPRM process whereby the update is set up as a project with specified dates for: the production of a draft; followed by a period for consultation with interested parties (members); preparation of the final document after considering member input and suggestions; and then publication of the final document. However these are operational documents which specify how we do business within the considerable constraints of the varoius aviation regulations. I do not think they can or should be subject to member vote once the final version is produced. The opportunity for member input is (or should be) provided via the consultation process above. Pilots and other affected parties do not get a vote on changes to the CASA regulations and manuals. (More is the pity some might say.) The point is that our manuals should be reviewed on a regular baisis by a specified process which provides opportunity for member input with definite dates when each step must be achieved." It is good to finally see some action in this direction. I hope members will be informed of the resulting process and timelines. DWF

Nor can I. Tick Tick Tick

Or we could spend some of the "Reserves" on improving and upgrading our systems, procedures and equipment plus improving Staff and Board skills and expertise thus reducing the likelyhood of our being sued. Maybe take out a little extra insurance as well to cover that possiblity (being sued). [And continue producing a print magazine for we more senior members. ] Investing in these areas would have the added benefit of reducing the tempting cash target for potential litigants. Our constitution says "The income and property of the Association shall be applied solely toward the promotion of the purposes of the Association ..." Nowhere in our constitution can I find anything that says one of our Purposes is to build up funds to pay off lawyers and law suits. DWF

The procedure (if there is one) for amending RAAus manuals is very ad hoc at present. These documents should be reviewed on a regular (programmed) basis - say every 2 years. If changes are deemed necessary (by the subject matter experts and with user input/suggestions) then it should go through a process similar to the CASA NPRM process whereby the update is set up as a project with specified dates for: the production of a draft; followed by a period for consultation with interested parties (members); preparation of the final document after considering member input and suggestions; and then publication of the final document. However these are operational documents which specify how we do business within the considerable constraints of the varoius aviation regulations. I do not think they can or should be subject to member vote once the final version is produced. The opportunity for member input is (or should be) provided via the consultation process above. Pilots and other affected parties do not get a vote on changes to the CASA regulations and manuals. (More is the pity some might say.) The point is that our manuals should be reviewed on a regular baisis by a specified process which provides opportunity for member input with definite dates when each step must be achieved. DWF

[Murphy says:] Except when you REALLY need one!

Formation flying requires high levels of pilot skill, concentration, disciplin and good communication but provides a great deal of satisfaction when done properly. Formation flying with someone who is not trained and briefed is scary, dangerous and to be avoided. Get the training, brief thoroughly and practice regularly. It can be great fun. DWF ............ . ........... ............

You're in good (?) company. It's still on the RAAus web site too.

What expertise does GFA have with engines?

It appears my email has achieved some result. An AGM and Special Resolution notice is finally on the RAAus web site, albeit fairly well hidden in the Members Portal at: https://www.raa.asn.au/2014/10/notice-of-annual-general-meeting/ DWF

The ladder or the aircraft? Have a go at both (before you get too old). DWF

No Mike. I think it is just time to get a ladder and/or low wing aircraft. (See post #3). DWF

OK CASA has a number of CAAPs and publications that may be of interest to you. http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_91054 scroll down to the "Aerodromes" part of the list. As far as insurance goes I suggest you contact a reputable broker of aviation insurance but as a minimum I would think you should have Public Liability and Worker's Compensation (even if the work is done by volunteers) plus cover for any equipment you may have. DWF

Yes. In the Airworthiness section - 5 from the bottom: http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/download/caaps/airworth/50a-b-01.pdf "This Civil Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) applies to holders of an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence (LAME), Certificate of Registration (CoR) for class A and B Australian Aircraft and Regulation 30 of CAR 1988 Certificates of Approval for aircraft and aeronautical product maintenance." [Not RAAus aircraft.]

I have just sent the email below to the CEO and Board. If you agree with my thoughts maybe you (RAAus members) could send them an email in similar vein. Maybe a bit of people pressure could get some improvement in the RAAus web site layout and information. DWF G'day Michael, Michael, Tony and Ed, Unfortunately I am unable to attend the RAAus AGM at Lethbridge on 18th October. I read the AGM notice in the September Sport Pilot and see that there are two Special Resolutions to amend the constitution to be voted on at that meeting. Although the resolutions are sensible and straight forward and very likely to be passed without my assistance, as an RAAus member who is very interested in and concerned about the operation of our association, I have nevertheless decided to exercise my right (responsibility) to cast my vote by proxy. So I went to the RAAus web site to see how to go about submitting my proxy vote. As far as I can determine there is NOTHING regarding the AGM or Special Resolutions anywhere on the site - not in the 'Latest News', not in the Calendar, not in the Members portal. (If it is anywhere on the site it is extremely well hidden!) WHY? I finally found the proxy form on page 23 of the constitution. In order to get a printout of the form I had to print the whole 24 page document. Why is the proxy form not available as a separate .pdf document? I then had to go to Rule 30 of the constitution for instructions on how to submit my proxy form. How many proxy forms have been received to date? In the interests of better communication with members and making the proxy voting process as simple as possible can you please arrange to have the following included on the web site: 1. A notice of the AGM including all the details required by Rule 21(ii) of the constitution, 2. Details of the Special Resolutions to be voted on at the AGM 3. Links to the information required in Rule 21(iv) of the constitution ("the Agenda for the meeting together with the Board approved and audited Annual Financial Statements and the Annual Reports of the President, Secretary and Treasurer.") 4. A link to the proxy form (a separate, one page, .pdf document). 5. Instructions on how to submit a proxy form. The RAAus web site is a bit of a shambles. It may not be the Board or Administration priority but it is one of the few indications to members of how things are going in our organisations - you must admit it does not present a very coherent picture. I would like to suggest that a higher priority be given to sorting out the web site and providing useful, relevant and timely information to members. I realise that there are problems in incorporating postal voting in our constitution but with our CEO's push on through philosophy I am sure a way can be found to enable postal voting - maybe with voting forms going out with Board ballot papers. Regards

I didn't know electric aircraft ran on steam!

Actually Roundup make grass more palatable/sweeter - for cattle anyway - for a short while. Time to practice your short take-offs and landings methinks. Or maybe these guys could help ..... DWF

I guess the way to see of the (CAAP 166) system works is for everyone to make appropriate broadcasts on the Area frequency whenever the circumstances permit/require. DWF

Normal practice is to move to the "dead" side of the runway - far enough to be able to see any traffic on the runway below: left circuit - move to the right; right circuit - move to the left --- except where obstacles may be a problem or where there are parallel runways such as at GAAP airports. As always, the pilot in command is responsible for taking action to ensure the safety of his/her aircraft. DWF

Maybe the Board wasn't in labor (sic). I think it may be the members that have been stuffed.