[Kharon]

I find it amazing that the mere threat of a 1000 job loss in the shipping industry can generate howls of dismay from the Senators; but when aviation sheds that many this year; not a dicky bird is said – why is it so?

Bankstown is a classic hundreds employed diminishing to tens, the airport a barren waste ground, awaiting the developers bulldozer.  

Below, one of the many cries of anguish and appeals from industry falling on the deaf ears and no action from government on a critical situation, becoming worse everyday.  

As if all this were not enough,

I’ve just been advised by my LAME of the extent of the ‘SIDS’ that I am facing on my CT210G which has less than 5000hrs total time and is in very good condition.

The cost will exceed the value of the aircraft. I’m not going to do them it’s just lunacy.

Where is the safety case? If my aircraft was in the US I would not have to do them!! What’s so different about the air here?? Is it the CO² level at CASA in Canberra which has sent all and sundry there mad??

I may very well schedule – which I do now - inspections on a regular basis and attend to issues as and when they arrive, but this pull the aeroplane apart and then put it back together at a cost of 10’s of $’000’s for NO DEMONSTRATED REASON is just crippling. So my aeroplane is grounded and the parting out process will begin, unless there is some semblance of common sense applied. I just can’t see it.

I don’t really know if I have the resolve to continue with a near 30 year interest which I adore.

How many others are in the same boat? – there must be hundreds.

The endless wait for reform – and answers to questions – while an industry slowly bleeds to death and the CASA hyena waits to feed on the near dead carcass.

Disgraceful Senators, the rank stench of hypocrisy becoming stronger in the stale air of no positive improvement, just more hot air.

Selah.

I’m certain the powers that be can and will continue to ignore the woes and troubles of general and regional aviation.  The AOPA (Australia) are trying to resurrect and assist, a while back we had a thread running which suggested that if an olive branch was extended to the ‘cousins’ a better result may be achieved.   Well AOPA (USA) have decided to weigh in; it will up to De Stoop to capitalise on the offer.  The classic tale (above) of one poor sod and his encounter with the blind, mindless organisation which purports to manage aviation in this country personalises and clarifies exactly the state CASA have brought this industry to.

"So next time you start griping about the high cost of personal flying, you might pause and thank your lucky stars that you’re based in the U.S. and not in the land down under. Compared to the rest of the world, we American aviators have it mighty good."

A must read - HERE - 

If the cousins think this is a sorry tale – wait until the real horror stories start to emerge.

Only in Australia, where the men are men and the sheep are nervous.

Baa, Bah, Bah!