I am pleased to be able to provide a copy of the media release relating to our recent meeting in Canberra. Unlike a number of areas in other jurisdictions where weather or lack of aircraft give rise to idle thoughts of conspiracy and secrecy within the RA-Aus Board, I am happy that the NT with its 149 or 127 members depending on who is counting has focused on ensuring that MKT is a hub of aviation activity in the recreational, GA and small commercial sector.

Official RA-Aus Press Release - Board Meeting 2010

I fully support the comment that it was one of the most constructive in recent memory and also add that unlike a cottage industry or small business with one customer every 2 months, ensuring that 10,000 members receive the right information that has far reaching implications takes time... There is no secrecy, simply responsibility to ensure that we communicate as a cohesive organisation, not a 10,000 headed hydra.

I have chosen to look at some of the reviews, blogs and forum postings in relation to the recent board meeting and can only say "More power to you" not because I want anything destroyed or exposed, but because without member involvement, the whole movement dies. People have raised valid points and the board is addressing them, not because there is a sense of "being found out" but because our revised processes have improved our ability to govern and because positive member involvement sharpens everyones responses in terms of relating to, identifying and addressing problems.

my little history piece...

I tried to obtain my AUF license in 1984 when the AUF was starting. My logbook reflects my flights and exercises. There was nothing really convincing in the days of flying out of the grass field in Ballina where Austflight were based to secure a pilot's license. Now we have license, endorsements and even the need to carry an ASIC in certain airports. We were a joke in the early '80s and now we are the main game in town. This came about because there was an organisation for you to join and that organisation goes into bat for you.

My gripe...

There are some in our organisation who believe it is their right to metaphorically drive the wrong way down a freeway... We have no qualms with this as long as no harm comes to the other 9995 members. This extremely small minority of our membership (5 people our of ten thousand) consumes a lot of the office and board's time as well as a lot of the money you pay for fees that we hope go on insurance and magazines and training. I strongly advocate that this minority probably has a big part to play in an aviation organisation - I don't think, however,  that part is in ours...

The positive bits...

I am excited to be on the web redevelopment sub committee and the education and training sub committee - these two areas are devoted to bringing you timely and relevant information.

I need to share something with you about ASIC cards... Wear then in an airport and you get a staff discount. My colleagues did in Canberra - half price on a cappachino .

It is a pleasure to work on keeping the freedoms that we all take for granterd.

I must add that these opinions are my own and in no way necessarily reflect the views of either other members of the board, office and organisation.

 

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