DWF

Andy, the RAAus constitution Rule 22 says: "22. Annual general meetings - calling of and business at. (i) The order of the business at each Annual General Meeting under the chair of the President shall be: ..... g. Any motions on Notice including Special Resolutions. h. Questions from the floor ....." As I read it any motion can be put to and discussed at an AGM provided it has been sent to the Secretary and put on Notice for the AGM. Questions from the floor are also allowed. So, if you have a motion you would like to put at the AGM send it to the Secretary for inclusion in the agenda. DWF

Someimes a pilot with 150 hours solo may not have 150 hours experience but ONE hour's experience 150 times. DWF

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin The environment in which RA-Aus operates has changed significantly. We need a governance structure and a Board that can respond to the changes in order to survive.

Indeed it has. Prompted by post #11. It's all 2tonne's fault. Maybe we should get

Yes. But it is a different word to CANT. [Which does not have a ' ]

You asked for it - I think it is something you do after a couple of glasses of red ..... cant 1 (knt) n. 1. Angular deviation from a vertical or horizontal plane or surface; an inclination or slope. 2. A slanted or oblique surface. 3. a. A thrust or motion that tilts something. b. The tilt caused by such a thrust or motion. 4. An outer corner, as of a building. v. cant·ed, cant·ing, cants v.tr. 1. To set at an oblique angle; tilt. 2. To give a slanting edge to; bevel. 3. To change the direction of suddenly. v.intr. 1. To lean to one side; slant. 2. To take an oblique direction or course; swing around, as a ship. [Middle English, side, from Old North French, from Vulgar Latin *cantus, corner, from Latin canthus, rim of wheel, tire, of Celtic origin.] cant 2 (knt) n. 1. Monotonous talk filled with platitudes. 2. Hypocritically pious language. 3. The special vocabulary peculiar to the members of an underworld group; argot. 4. Cant See Shelta. 5. Whining speech, such as that used by beggars. 6. The special terminology understood among the members of a profession, discipline, or class but obscure to the general population; jargon. See Synonyms at dialect. intr.v. cant·ed, cant·ing, cants 1. To speak tediously or sententiously; moralize. 2. To speak in argot or jargon. 3. To speak in a whining, pleading tone. [Anglo-Norman cant, song, singing, from canter, to sing, from Latin cantre; see kan- in Indo-European roots.] Or maybe it describes some of the posts on this forum - ... just kidding.

From the Sport Aviation Self Administration Handbook 2010: "As part of the RAAOs’ Industry Risk Profile, the supply of and proficiency in safety data and information is key. Therefore RAAOs are to ensure that appropriate safety data and information management processes exist and provide CASA with a safety profile of their sector via six monthly reports. This is to include: • Accident and incident occurrences, including frequency and severity • Accident and incident investigation and findings • Records that safety analysis has been communicated to members." Does RA-Aus do any of this? I have not seen any evidence of the third item - "safety analysis [being] communicated to members". DWF

Are you sure? I have been unable to locate any such system. The template recently issued refers to The (Name of the FTF) will parallel the RA-Aus risk management system as outlined in the RA-Aus Safety Management System and Risk Management Manual (Appendix 1.) There was nothing at Appendix 1. in the template. Does the "RA-Aus Safety Management System and Risk Management Manual" exist? If so, where can I get a copy? It should be as readily available as the Ops or Tech Manuals and be on line via the web site. The template does not state a date by which the FTF SMS must be completed. The email delivering the template stated "Feedback and suggestions are requested to be forwarded by 15th August 2013 and will be applied to the Template as appropriate." It says nothing about a deadline for completion of the SMS. For many CFIs the job of setting up a SMS will be a daunting and time consuming task, particularly for the one man band FTF, which I suspect are a significant proportion of the total. The draft 'template' issued by RA-Aus is, in my opinion, a crock! It is poorly worded, full of grammatical and punctuation mistakes and obviously has not been proof read. I am very disappointed in this mostly unhelpful document. I think the CASA guidance material on setting up a SMS is a better place to start. I agree with this statement. There appears to be a misunderstanding amongst some (all?) of the posters on this forum of what a Safety Management System is. Good governance and the commitment of senior management to safety and its promotion are essential components of a successful SMS. RA-Aus seems to be lacking to a large extent in both these areas. The Sport Aviation Self-Administration Handbook 2010 provides a blueprint for how RAAOs should operate and by my reading RA-Aus has a long way to go to become compliant. If RA-Aus had its own SMS in place and promoted it to members and FTFs it would make the task of implementing a SMS much easier for FTFs. As an aside, in how many of the recent spate of accidents was the pilot and/or aircraft under the direct influence or control of a FTF? Not many, if any, I suspect. Therefore, if a SMS is able to contribute to reducing such accidents then it would be the RA-Aus SMS to do so and not that of a FTF. DWF

I suspect that the poll is close to even because people were unsure of exactly what the question was asking. To my mind there are at least 2 interpretations: 1. Do you think that RAA should have a STCC? or 2. Do you approve of the way the STCC was appointed. I did not vote in the poll because I wanted a bet each way. DWF

The RAA SMS Template is 26 pages long. I can't see why the document should not be available for perusal by RAA members but I think it is up to RAA Ops to post it on the web site (maybe in the Members Only area). It is very similar in layout and content to this CASA document: http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_101025 But the RAA SMS Template document is not as tidy and will need a lot of work to make it into a usable, readable SMS for FTFs.

This is the table on the 'Revision History' page of the SMS Template sent by RAAus Ops to CFIs yesterday. Version ..... Date ............. Chapter/Section ..... Details 1.0 .............. Nov 2010 ..... all ................................ First Draft Note that the date is Nov 2010. Judging by the poor grammar, punctuation and proof reading of this document I suspect that it is the first draft of a SMS produced by someone in RAA over 2.5 years ago!! It has now been rediscovered, dusted off (slightly) and rushed out to CFIs who are now required, with very little guidance, to turn it into an SMS for their FTF. Someone has been sitting on their hands for a long time.

Here are my completely un-researched, off the top of the head, theories: As most of the early aviators were military men from the cavalry they were used to mounting from the near side or left side of the animal or wagon and so "mounted" and flew their aircraft from the left hand side. Also, the Americans, who made many of the early aircraft had 'left hand drive'. (The Brits tried for a while to keep their Captains in the centre - eg DH84.) As dodo said, the French also used 'left hand drive' (although I am not sure the reason he stated is correct). That should muddy the historical waters a bit..... DWF

G'day John While I largely agree with your motion and sentiments above, to be a little bit picky, I think the motion should be a CENSURE motion - not a CENSOR motion. See definitions below. Censoring (by the Board and/or Executive) is something to which we (or most of us) would like to see an end. If I am correct the intent of your motion is to "to criticize (someone or something) severely; condemn". Do you intend any action beyond censure? What effect do you think the motion will have if passed? DWF censor [ˈsɛnsə] n 1. a person authorized to examine publications, theatrical presentations, films, letters, etc., in order to suppress in whole or part those considered obscene, politically unacceptable, etc. 2. any person who controls or suppresses the behaviour of others, usually on moral grounds 3. (Historical Terms) (in republican Rome) either of two senior magistrates elected to keep the list of citizens up to date, control aspects of public finance, and supervise public morals 4. (Psychoanalysis) Psychoanal the postulated factor responsible for regulating the translation of ideas and desires from the unconscious to the conscious mind See also superego vb (tr) 1. to ban or cut portions of (a publication, film, letter, etc.) 2.to act as a censor of (behaviour, etc.) [from Latin, from cēnsēre to consider, assess] censorable adj censorial [sɛnˈsɔːrɪəl] adj Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003 censure [ˈsɛnʃə] n severe disapproval; harsh criticism vb to criticize (someone or something) severely; condemn [from Latin cēnsūra, from cēnsēre to consider, assess] censurer n Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

Yes. Well done Dave and his support crew. A great achievement. We were fortunate enough to have them stay with us overnight when passing through Esperance. It was great to meet up with Dave and the team and hear of their exploits. You can review the flight here: https://www.onawingandachair.org.au/ By the time they got here they were a bit travel weary and anxious to get home but were delayed a further 4 or 5 days along the way due to bad weather - but got back to Tooradin in the end after 38 days away from home. The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate that just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't achieve great things. A truely inspirational person and achievement. David

Ben Here is the AIP definition of Lanes of Entry. AIP 1.4 - 14 6.LANES OF ENTRY 6.1 Lanes of entry are established to permit passage to and from specified Class D CTR without entering an adjacent Class C or military CTR. The vertical limits provide separation from overlying control or restricted areas. They are a block of airspace with specified lateral and vertical boundaries. There may or may not be a particular route specified within the lane. Whereas VFR Arrival and Departure ROUTES are specified routes, via VFR Approach Points and Tracking Points, into and out of Class D CTR for VFR aircraft. These routes are shown on the Visual Terminal Charts (VTCs). VTCs are part of the AIP package and as such are legal documents. There are also VFR routes marked on VTC and VNC by a series of purple dots that provide designated routes through or around Class C airspace for VFR aircraft. DWF

"It is better to arrive late than be dead on time." DWF

Yes. We do it all the time! There is not a control tower for over 600km in any direction from here. We just look out the window and listen to the radio (VHF aircraft band - not JJJ ). DWF

An instructor on casual rates is usually only paid for the hours the aircraft meter is running. Any instructor doing the job properly will usually work at least an additional hour for each flying hour doing briefing, debriefing, pre-flight inspection, writing up log books and student records, washing the aircraft, refueling, etc, etc. In some schools junior instructors are even allowed to TIFs for free! [Don't get me started here - I don't think junior instructors should do TIFs at all!] Some days you are there all day but not flying due weather, un-serviceability, no student, etc - for no pay at all! I may be biased but I think a good instructor is worth every penny (wot's that) they get. DWF

Bandit. The CAAPs are a brief (for CASA) explanation of how to do it. Would you like me to point you in the direction of the Act and Regulations? DWF

I would like to see a profile of our new Managers, and hopefully some words from them on how they see the situation at RAAus and how they plan to take us forward. Do you think there will be something in the next Sport Pilot? Congratulations and welcome Wayne and Mark. "May the force be with you." DWF We don't seem to be the only organisation with a new leader at the moment. [Maybe his boss can give you some help too.]

If you would like a more in depth discussion on the subject, have a look at these: CAAP 166 -1(1) Operations in the vicinity of non-towered (non-controlled) aerodromes and CAAP 166-2(0) Pilots’ responsibility for collision avoidance in the vicinity of non-towered (non-controlled) aerodromes using ‘see-and-avoid’ Happy reading. DWF Be alert! (Your country needs more Lerts.)

I have just obtained the use of a Tecnam P2004 Bravo to train a large student. (He won't fit in our J120!) . What I need is some information on recommended circuit and approach/landing procedures (speeds, power settings, flap settings, etc.) On climb out it seems to require a much higher nose attitude than I am used to to keep the speed at the 60-65 kts on the checklist I have. It also descends like a streamlined brick with full flap (38 deg). Is anyone who is familiar with the P2004 B willing to share their procedures used for training ab intio students? DWF

Does anyone know anything about him? There is a Mark Clayton (one of many) on Linkedin. Could this one be him? http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=28846462&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=33Jl&locale=en_US&srchid=&srchindex=11&srchtotal=205&goback=.fps_PBCK_*1_Mark_Clayton_*1_*1_*1_*1_*2_*1_Y_*1_*1_*1_false_2_R_*1_*51_*1_*51_true_CC%2CN%2CG%2CI%2CPC%2CED%2CL%2CFG%2CTE%2CFA%2CSE%2CP%2CCS%2CF%2CDR_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2_*2&pvs=ps&trk=pp_profile_photo_link If so he seems to be a pretty high flyer (no pun intended). "Specialties: Project Management, Program Management, Change Management, Financial Planning, Stakeholder Management, Governance, Strategic Planning, Technology Team Structures, Mergers and Acquisitions." DWF:plane:

I would recommend Arkaroola as a place to stop. You need to spend a day or two there. The strip can be tricky depending on aircraft performance, pilot experience and weather conditions. Caravan park/camping and motel there + tours. Usually fuel available but check. PPR Rawnsly Park (YRYK) (near Wilpena Pound) has fuel, caravan park and accommodation + tours / walks. We enjoyed our overnight stay there. PPR I would avoid Ayres Rock if you can. Landing charges $55 for first 24 hours then parking $38.50/day. Everything else there is expensive also. ASIC William Creek has fuel and some basic accommodation but not real flash. Worth a stop for lunch at the pub. PPR Coober Pedy has a caravan park/camping area but you would probably be better off trying an underground motel. When we were there a couple of years ago we got a lift into town with the refueler (but there is a H24 swipe card bowser there now) and back per the motel. ASIC Have a good trip. DWF

Does anyone know if the interviews for GM/CEO and Tech Manager have happened yet? If they have not, when will they take place? When will we know the results? DWF