CASA has a plan to abolish Ultralight
aviation
as Australia presently knows it
This will not happen - unless you allow
it to happen
CASA's plan is embodied in a document called
"Introduction of Air Operator's Certificates
for Sport Aviation Sport Aviation Flying Training
- NPRM 0115ss". If you care about
Ultralight aviation, you should read this
horror. Call CASA on 13 1757 and ask them to
send you a copy. If you are on the Internet,
see airsafety.com.au/nprm0115ss/
This proposal is that CASA will "level the
playing field" between conventional General
Aviation (GA) training schools and Ultralight
Flying Schools. So far, so good! But
CASA is not proposing to "level the playing
field" by reducing the cost of GA training -
CASA proposes to increase the cost of Ultralight
training to GA levels.
The reason why Ultralight aviation is thriving
is first and foremost because training is
affordable and relatively informal. That
means that plenty of people are attracted into the
activity. All of those people who decide to
train now have the right to choose Ultralight
training or conventional GA training. CASA
wants to deny them that choice.
Some people choose the Ultralight
channel. Others choose the GA channel.
The organisation which I head up, AIR SAFETY
AUSTRALIA, supports the right of Australians
to make their own choices so long as others are
not harmed. No non-participant has ever
been killed or injured by Ultralight aviation in
Australia.
What is more, the safety record of Ultralight
aviation has shown great improvement over the
years. But that is not the point. AIR
SAFETY AUSTRALIA believes that people should
be able to make their own informed choices so long
as others are not exposed to risk. That is
an essential component of the freedom for which so
many Australians have fought. It is a
freedom which extends to all parts of
society. After all, Prime Minister Holt lost
his life while indulging in his favourite pastime
of spear-fishing.
CASA does not believe in that freedom of choice
- and why would it? CASA is first and
foremost interested in job-creation - which this
proposal will do very nicely, thank you.
It will create lost and lots of jobs doing
things that are not being done now, and which are
not only without benefit but are positively
harmful.
CASA says, in para 4.42 of the proposal
"Consumers [i.e. trainee pilots] … will
benefit because the flying school they choose to
learn with will hold an AOC …"
What a masterpiece of dictatorial
double-talk!
What is really happening is that consumers
will be denied the choice they now have,
namely to choose a less-expensive Ultralight
school that does not hold an AOC, or to choose a
more-expensive GA school that does hold an
AOC. If the consumer really did benefit from
the school holding an AOC, no legislation would be
necessary because the schools which hold AOCs
would be able to persuade the consumer of that
benefit.
THE MINISTER TELLS CASA TO GO BACK AND
CONSULT SOME MORE -
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE AUF ON A SIGNIFICANT WIN
The very day the Federal Election was called (5th
October 2001) the Minister told CASA to go back
and do some more consulting. AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA
congratulates the AUF on a very significant win on
behalf of all Australian aviators who want lower
costs.
But just because CASA is now supposed to
consult some more does not mean there has been any
fundamental change. In the absence of effective
political presure, CASA will just go off and do
some more consulting - then come back wit the same
costly proposal.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?
Luckily, Australia is a democracy.
And that means, amongst other things, that
CASA cannot make rules.
CASA can recommend rules, but
only Parliament can make them.
The answer, therefore, is to become politically
active and influence Parliament.
AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA knows exactly what you
should do to achieve political results.
If you want Ultralight aviation to survive
in its present form, contact AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA
and we'll send you a Political Action Kit
You must act VERY FAST.
There's an election on, and the ears and
eyes of our politicians are open now in a way they
will not be once the election is over!
So please contact us
Jim Dawson or Boyd Munro
AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA
PO Box 172
Unley SA 5061
admin@airsafety.com.au
Fax: 08 8276 4666 Phone: 08 8276 4600
By Boyd Munro.
Boyd is an Australian who holds Australian,
American, and British pilot licenses.
He has been flying for 35 years and has
more than 7,000 hours.
He has made 44 Atlantic crossings by light
aircraft between 1971 and 2001.
He has never flown commercially and has
paid for almost all his 7000 hours himself.
He is dedicated to ensuring that Australian
pilots retain the Freedom to Fly Responsibly.
In 1996-1997 he was President of AOPA
Australia. He
now heads up AIR SAFETY AUSTRALIA.
