DWF

Always use the best quality cheese if you can ..... but it is usually more expensive. And it will still have holes in it!

Is Accident Prevention Guaranteed? I think the short answer is NO. Lets take the Swiss cheese analogy .... If you only have one piece of 'Swiss cheese' and an event passes through one of the holes you have an accident. So you add more pieces of 'Swiss cheese' [by adding rules, procedures, etc]... but some of the holes sometimes still line up and an event passing through will still result in an accident. To make it even safer you add more slices of 'Swiss cheese' but there is still the possibility of holes lining up and an accident occurring. If you take away a slice of 'Swiss cheese' [by not obeying a rule or procedure] you increase the chances of an accident occurring. It gets to the stage where two things happen: 1. You get so many slices of 'Swiss cheese' that the whole thing becomes too unwieldy, possibly making extra holes in the cheese slices and increasing the chance of things going wrong. 2. The cost of the next extra slice 'Swiss cheese' becomes so expensive it outweighs the benefit it claims to provide. So it does not get done. Is this Dick Smith's "affordable safety"? In any accident there are usually a number of events which, if any one of them was stopped or altered, would have prevented the accident. Unfortunately humans are involved in all these events. Humans all make mistakes (to a greater or lesser degree). Rules, procedures, training and attitude can reduce accidents. Disregard for rules and procedures, poor training and attitude increase the chance of an accident. Until humans become perfect (make no mistakes) or are removed from the system altogether, accidents will continue to occur. We should still try for a zero accident rate but I think the best we can hope for is to get and keep the rate acceptably low. What is an "acceptably low" rate is another matter....... DWF

OK. The AGM has been over for hours now (I hope). How did the vote on the Special Resolutions go? Anything else interesting to report?

I agree with Poteroo. I have a lot of time in a J120C but not much in a J160 so I cannot comment about that aircraft specifically, however.... POH figures are given for the aircraft at MTOW. The configuration of the aircraft in question was one POB and (guessing) fuel at about half tanks making the actual weight at the time about 100Kg below MTOW. This decreases the stall speed and hence the appropriate Vref, so 60kts with full flap on short final is probably OK. For a short field landing if you touch down and the stall warning is not going you are too fast. The pilot in command of an aircraft is responsible for the safety of the aircraft. If the PIC has an abnormal or emergency situation s/he should take whatever action they consider necessary to ensure a safe outcome. At a controlled aerodrome tell he controller you have a problem and what action you are taking. They will sort out the other traffic and take whatever other steps (like alerting emergency services) necessary - that is what they get paid the big money for. If there is downwind on the duty runway I would consider asking for an into wind landing even if it does mess up their traffic flow. DWF (SI and ex ATC)

"unobtainium, n. A substance having the exact high test properties required for a piece of hardware or other item of use, but not obtainable either because it theoretically cannot exist or because technology is insufficiently advanced to produce it." [from Wikipedia] In other words it is exactly what you need/want but you can't have it. .... sound familiar?

John Walmsley at Coominya (between Gatton and Esk) had some hangar space he rents out. Nice 1000m grass strip, solid steel hangars. I don't know if he has anything available at the moment but he may be worth a try. Coominya Flight Training 0421 342 677

RAWNSLEY PARK SA (YRYK) Elevation: 1300 Variation: 7.7E Port Augusta 68 nm 215 degrees Runways: 03/21 1100 metres (Gravel) Frequencies: FIA - 123.9 Latitude/longitude: S31 39.00 E138 37.00 Status: Unlicensed Owner details: T&J Smith Rawnsley Park Station, Hawker 5434 T:08 86480030 F:08 86480013 Fuel availability: Yes Comments: RH circuit from 03. Power line runs E/W 6m off ground 150m from 03 threshold, bearing 210. ARFOR area: 51 Landing permission: Required Landing fees: $20 ac,$10/ac/guest+ Facilities: Yes Accommodation: Yes, caravan park & cabins Refer to the latest ERSA for full & current details. This data is critical to the safe operation of aircraft at this location and was last changed on 15 Aug 2013. Please advise Champagne PC Services if the data is inaccurate in any way. Fax: 08 62678172 or Email [email protected]. --- Produced by Champagne PC Services Flight Planner 3000 (6.7e) .

Details of Ryan's flight are here: http://www.teenworldflight.com/ ] DWF

Thank you to Jim and some of the other Board members for responding to my questions above. It looks like at least some of our Board members are working hard to get things back on track. A precis of their responses are included below in red. My comments are in blue. 1. The final audited financial statements are not on the web site as promised. Why not? They were (and are) in the Member's Portal area of the web site under Financial Reports. I just didn't see them. Jim's 2013 Treasurer's Report is there now also. 2. The monthly Profit & Loss statements for July and August are not on the web site as promised. Why not? Staff have been busy. The July P&L is now on the web site. 3. The current Deed of Agreement with CASA expires on 25th Sept 2013. a. Has a new agreement been reached? No b. If not, when will this happen? The Board is liaising with CASA at present. The agreement they provided has time frames that we are unlikely to meet and therefore do not want to commit to the document and then not comply. c. If it has, when will it be published on the web site? d. What are the milestones? None yet. Not signed. 4. Safety Management System (SMS) a. What is the status of the new SMS? Jim and RAAus Ops met with CASA and spent several days working on an SMS. Jim asked the board to formally agree to moving forward with the CASA template system offered. It will be discussed at the board meeting on Saturday. b. Are FTFs still expected to produce a SMS based on the pseudo template sent to CFI recently or is that on hold pending the 'new' SMS? Pending. Hold off at this stage until you hear from RAAus. 5. RA-Aus Mission and Objectives. a. Will the Board issue a Discussion Paper on the topic to give members an insight into the Board's thinking and an opportunity to provide input to the discussion? I think that is a fair question. The board has been lacking on strategy and policy duties. They are high on my agenda and I hope the board after this next meeting with have a much clearer direction on the future. Any Objectives should and will be open for member comment and consultation. b. If not, why not? 6. RA-Aus Restructure. a. What is the status of current deliberations (if any)? b. If there is still a Restructure sub-committee who are its members? b. Will the Board issue a Discussion Paper on the topic to give members an insight into the Board's thinking and an opportunity to provide input to the discussion? c. If not, why not? I have not received an answer on the Restructure yet. 7. RA-Aus Strategic Plan. a. Does the Board have a Strategic Plan for RA-Aus for (say) the next 5 years? b. If not, does the Board plan to develop a Strategic plan and, if so, when? c. Will the Board facilitate members consultation and involvement in the development of a Strategic Plan? We do have a document titled 'STRATEGIC PLAN 2013 to 2018' produced by the Board some eighteen months ago from an original drafted by the then CEO to cover the objectives and planning in detail for the next twelve months and planning for the four years following. It goes on to say that: "This document should be considered a 'live' document which will be subject to change as the organisation grows and develops. The document and plan will be reviewed regularly by the board and staff of RA-Aus and it will be discussed in detail and further developed at each Board meeting and the most up to date version will be presented to members of the organisation at the AGM and all General Meetings." The plan has NOT be reviewed nor updated and the board would be pleased to see that the present GM has put this item as number one priority for the agenda AGM this week. He states and I quote ' Although it appears to be a sound document, with continuing relevance, the Association's Strategic Plan has not been updated since 2011 This needs to occur, I believe this should be initiated - and led- by the Board.'. The GM's recommendations are listed for Board consideration and I entirely agree that:- a. The 2011 Strategic Plan needs an urgent update. b. The outputs of the Constitutional and Restructure sub-committees will need to be incorporated; and c. A draft Plan should be produced for the website in February 2014 and a final for the 2014 Board meeting in March. 8. Technical Manager position a. Is the position going to be re-advertised? Yes. It is an operational decision which Mark Clayton will action. The board will oversee the appointment. b. If so when? Don't know. c. What are the Job Description and Selection Criteria for the position? Can these be published on the web site? Yes they will be at a later time. DWF

This is not a new way to kill yourself. People have been using this method quite effectively since the very early days of powered flight. Unfortunately there is also often considerable collateral damage. Its a bit like unprotected sex - it can be fun but it can also have unexpected and undesired consequences. WARNING - don't try this at home (or anywhere else).

It is usually about half way up the strut on a high wing - it depends on the type, as they have different glide ratios (as has been said). Work out what it is for your aircraft. It is also a good idea to keep the runway below this 'line', as far as is practical, when operating in the circuit. DWF

Coz you don't do beat-ups??

The RA-Aus AGM is on this Friday (13th) at Natfly at Narromine. Unfortunately, much as I would like to be there, I cannot attend due to the tyranny of distance and cost. I urge all who can to be there and urge all members to vote on the Special Resolutions - in person or by proxy. There are a number of questions I would like to ask at the meeting (if they are not answered in the various reports). I am sure other members would like to know the answers to these and other questions as well. What questions do you have? Can a member who attends the meetings as the following on our behalf: 1. The final audited financial statements are not on the web site as promised. Why not? 2. The monthly Profit & Loss statements for July and August are not on the web site as promised. Why not? 3. The current Deed of Agreement with CASA expires on 25th Sept 2013. a. Has a new agreement been reached? b. If not, when will this happen? c. If it has, when will it be published on the web site and what are the milestones? 4. Safety Management System (SMS) a. What is the status of the new SMS? b. Are FTFs still expected to produce a SMS based on the pseudo template sent to CFI recently or is that on hold pending the 'new' SMS? 5. RA-Aus Mission and Objectives. a. Will the Board issue a Discussion Paper on the topic to give members an insight into the Board's thinking and an opportunity to provide input to the discussion? b. If not, why not? 6. RA-Aus Restructure. a. What is the status of current deliberations (if any)? b. If there is still a Restructure sub-committee who are its members? b. Will the Board issue a Discussion Paper on the topic to give members an insight into the Board's thinking and an opportunity to provide input to the discussion? c. If not, why not? 7. RA-Aus Strategic Plan. a. Does the Board have a Strategic Plan for RA-Aus for (say) the next 5 years? b. If not, does the Board plan to develop a Strategic plan and, if so, when? c. Will the Board facilitate members consultation and involvement in the development of a Strategic Plan? 8. Technical Manager position a. Is the position going to be re-advertised? b. If so when? c. What are the Job Description and Selection Criteria for the position? DWF

I think that the instruction and form for proxies are unclear and can lead to confusion. Rule 30 of the Constitution says: "30. Appointment of proxies. (i) Each member shall be entitled to appoint another member as proxy by notice given to the Secretary no later than 24 hours before the time of the meeting in respect of which the proxy is appointed. (ii) The notice appointing the proxy shall be in the form set out in Appendix A." The note at the bottom of Appendix A says: "Note: Proxy holders should bring their signed copy of this instrument to the Meeting." Does the proxy giver have to send the original of the "Appointment of Proxy" form 1. to the Secretary and a copy to the proxy holder, or 2. to the proxy holder who then sends a copy to the Secretary. [i chose option 1.] The form sent out with the magazine is different to the one specified as Appendix A in the constitution. Could proxies using the amended form be challenged as invalid as they are not on the form specified in the constitution? Probably hypothetical, I know, but there are those who will go to some lengths to thwart the will of members. As they are primarily administrative documents, perhaps these forms should be in the By-laws, where they can be more easily updated, rather than in the constitution. Both versions of the Proxy form have the line: "vote in favour*/against* the following resolution(s): *(Delete as applicable)" This is somewhat confusing if you wish to vote for some resolutions and against others. Hopefully Special Resolution 14 will pass and removed this confusion. As "No business other than that specified in the notice convening a general meeting shall be transacted at the meeting ...." (Rule 24(iii)) I would like to see the Proxy voting system REPLACED by a Postal voting procedure for any motions on Notice including Special Resolutions at A/GMs. Special Resolution 13 goes part way to achieving this - I recommend you vote for it. DWF

Beat-ups with your pants off can make you go blind!

Have you seen the "Charting Aircraft Registrations" graph on the RA-Aus web site? It shows that the decline in the number of RAAus aircraft registered has stopped and is now on the increase again. It also shows that the number of "Aircraft Deregistered" has doubled and is still on the increase. Still a way to go it seems but hopefully on the right track - however it would be nice to see the process speeded up somewhat. DWF

There seems to be some pretty fuzzy logic here Maybe its just me, but I fail to see any substantial connection between a Skills Register and the STCC position. Don an Sue are right on the money. DWF

This thread is about the high turnover in Tech Managers. Participants in this forum are rightly (I believe) concerned about this situation. Reasons for this high turnover canvassed here have been: 1. The occupants of the position have not been up to the task. [All three???] 2. 'Political' interference from (some) Board members. 3. Unrealistic expectations of the Board and/or GM. 4. Moving goal posts. 5. The TM being under resourced and/or not given appropriate support. Have I missed anything? What is the real story? Perhaps a good first step might be to have a look at the Job Description and Selection Criteria for the position to see what we are expecting the TM to do. These documents are, or should be, in the public domain. They could/should be available for perusal on the Member section of the RAAus web site. I presume the job will be advertised again shortly. DWF

If you want an example of poor governance you only have to look at what has transpired at the Essendon Football Club to see its consequences on key officials and the club. The AFL imposed the fines and sanctions for poor governance, not the questionable behaviour of players or their advisers.

The AGM is "a time when the yearly performance" is officially REPORTED. The "end of year figures, outcomes, achievements, failures, etc." should actually have been provided to members BEFORE the AGM to enable the SCRUTINY to occur. In fact I would suggest that recent history has shown that scrutiny should be applied continually and not left to once a year (or the occurrence of a 'disaster'). What would be good would be for the Board to let us know what the plan is and what the milestones are so that we can a) see that they are on the right track, and b) see how they have performed and achieved (or failed to achieve) the planned/desired outcomes. Where is the RA-Aus Strategic Plan? It is difficult to manage or assess performance if you don't know what the goals/milestones are. I agree that a good attendance at the AGM is desirable but, even if held at Natfly, only a very small proportion of our membership would be able to attend. DWF

After reading the above arguments and giving the matter due consideration I have decided to vote against Special Resolution 11. I agree with airsick that there is no real benefit in the change of AGM timing. I do, however, agree with both sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) regarding a request for motions for the AGM and then notice of the AGM. Perhaps the AGM could recommend to the Board that these (sub-)clauses be made By-laws and/or proposed as a Special Resolution at the next AGM or GM. DWF

Get the program and forum list out a lot earlier so we can see what is on and if it is worth coming and to plan what to see/do when. Surely the forum program on the web site can be done better than the poorly scanned copy of an (almost) hand drawn list. And keep it update - on the web and on Facebook. As Sue suggests, get the web cam working properly. Maybe have it do a tour of some of the visiting aircraft. Can the AGM be 'broadcast' live on the web? It would be riveting viewing for those members who cannot be there in person. Use 'Survey Monkey' (Google it) to canvass member opinion and ideas. DWF

I am in WA and so it is only a few degrees heading change between Narromine and Temora. As has been said already, where ever you choose it will not satisfy everyone. I attended the first and third NatFlys at Temora and found it to be a very suitable venue - good airstrips, no CTA, OK weather, plenty of room, supportive town and people, etc. I have not attended one at Narromine and so cannot comment on that venue. The location does not matter as much as what is there and what happens. Likes 'Train' (and other vehicles) to take people around the airfield. Food court/dining in one central location Displays of new (and not so new) aircraft types available Commercial displays/shops of aviation goodies available Some interesting forums Dislikes Too spread out - long distances to walk - too long for me. Long waits for bus to town. Long distance between forums Tech, Ops and Instructor forums on Thursday - most people are still in transit. Suggestions Main programs and forums to be on Saturday and Sunday to allow for travel. A forum/workshop (separate from the General Meeting) to discuss the strategic direction for RA-Aus conducted by a facilitator with presentations from the President/Board, General Manager and Structure Review Committee. A forum on how to set up a weather station at your airfield and get it on the net. What equipment is required/recommended and some costings. Trains to be more frequent and visit ALL forums and locations of interest. Pilot/crew ONLY flight planning area with NAIPS access etc. Seating be available at various places around the site so people can sit and rest, watch the aircraft and have a chat. A different theme/activity/attraction each year so it is not the same event each time. A forum on the introduction of a Safety Management System for RA-Aus and how a SMS can be implemented at small Flight Training Facilities. Forums recorded and made available on a DVD following the event. Perhaps a thread called "Why would/do you come to Natfly?" would provide some useful input. DWF

A transponder is the device in your aircraft that replies to an interrogation signal from an ATC Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR). There are a number of transponder modes. The most common transponders used in RAAus and GA aircraft can only operate in mode A (replies with the code set on the aircraft's transponder - usually 1200 for OCTA aircraft) and mode C (replies with the code set on the transponder plus the aircraft's Flight Level i.e. level reference 1013.2hpa). When an aircraft operating OCTA and squawking 1200 Mode C (the norm) is within SSR range the controller will see a symbol on the screen with a tag attached showing 1200 and the aircraft's altitude (from information send by the transponder) plus the aircraft ground speed and track (computed by the radar system). The controller knows there is someone out there but doesn't know who it is. Before the controller can give the aircraft instructions (should this be required) or traffic information the aircraft must be POSITIVELY identified. The controller has a number of ways of doing this. The easiest and quickest way is to have the aircraft "Squawk Ident". When the pilot presses the 'Ident' button on the transponder it adds another piece of information to the return signal telling the radar system the IDENT button has been pressed. This is usually indicated to the controller by making the appropriate aircraft symbol flash on the screen. The controller will usually tell the pilot "(insert callsign here) Identified, ......" and then provide information or instructions. [This is a general outline of how the system works - there are a number of variations, conditions and exceptions.] Other methods of identifying an aircraft on radar can be by assigning a discrete transponder code to the aircraft or assigning a heading change to the aircraft and checking that the appropriate symbol changes direction to that specified. When departing Jandakot and tracking to the east via Armadale (an often busy area of inbound and outbound routes restricted by CTA steps) I usually call Perth Radar giving my position and altitude and ask for a Traffic Advisory. The usual response it to be asked to Squawk Ident and when identified the controller often has significant traffic to pass to me. If you get close to a CTA boundary or step you may also have ATC call "Aircraft (at such and such position) advise callsign". If you are transponder equipped and squawking (an SSR return symbol will be on their screen), and respond to ATC, they will usually ask you to Squawk Ident. Mode S transponders are more sophisticated and expensive than Mode C transponders and are usually not found in RA-Aus aircraft. ADS-B is not strictly speaking a transponder and again is not usually found in our aircraft. Does that help? DWF (ex ATC - quite a while ago now)

IMHO the benefit outweighs the risk - see post #11 above. This is true - see post #26 above. I think there is some merit in these assertions in that these amendments are not the complete answer and we certainly need to recruit good candidates and reduce voter apathy. I also see the lack of effective communication of the issues with members as a major problem. However, for the most part, Don's Special Resolutions ARE fixing some things that ARE BROKE(N), even though they may not be the most important ones and do not address the full story. Don is to be commended for proposing these amendments - thank you for the time and effort you have put in Don. At least someone has started the ball rolling. It is a pity that they were not publicised earlier to allow for more debate and refinement. There is a danger that people may think that passing these Special Resolutions will fix all the problems. It will not! In my view we need to: 1. Review and confirm or amend the Mission Statement and Objectives of RA-Aus. 2. Review and update the Structure of the organisation in light of step 1. My thoughts on this are on the "RA-Aus organisational restructure" thread post #131. 3. Amend the Constitution to meet the needs of step 2. This will probably require a complete overhaul and rewrite. DWF