General Aviation is a very diverse industry, scattered around the countryside each little division jealously guarding its own little bailiwick. Until recently we were operating under regulations heavily influenced by authoritative "British" traditions dating back to before the second world war.
Some forty years ago a consensus was reached that the regulations in the modern era were not fit for purpose and were sorely in need of updating.
After much consultation it was decided to make a start on regulatory reform, basing new regulations upon a tested and mature rule set from undoubtably the most successful and safest aviation country in the world.
The US FAR's are far from perfect, no regulation suite can be, but it was agreed, despite some fervent opposition within the ranks of the regulator, that alignment with US rules was the way to go.
A beginning was made, however progress was at a snails pace, hamstrung by opponents within the regulator.
All the while those diverse divided little businesses scattered about the country blissfully went on with their business ignoring the growing plague that was about to descend on their industry.
Australians are a fairly laid back bunch and tend to take their freedoms for granted.
The GA industry can at times be its own worse enemy. Very vocal when a threat is made to their own little fiefdom, but blind to the "Big Picture".
They were and still are, to a large extent ambivalent to the storm gathering momentum, which will ultimately threaten to wipe out their whole industry : the signs were there. As the years passed subtle un- challenged changes to the program passed without comment. The game of thrones being played out within the regulator saw the naysayers gaining ascendancy.
Things may have been a lot different if the industry as a whole had not been so apathetic and divided.
In the US people are far more aware and protective of their rights and freedoms, any attempt by bureaucracy to impinge on those will attract fervent opposition. They recognise that numbers mean power politically, so they actively support the associations that represent them and those associations actively support each other when common interests are threatened. None so much as those who represent aviation.
Our political class must also accept some responsibility for what is happening. They are the ones we elect to temper the excesses of the bureaucrats. Admittedly aviation is a highly technical business but industry was available for a "second opinion" if asked. Simply rubber stamping what you don't understand is tantamount to negligence at worst, laziness at best.
With the naysayers in control of CAsA regulatory reform has developed into a thirty year half billion dollar "make Work" factory and stealthily divesting themselves of any liability or scrutiny by hiding behind a Myth of safety.
The staggering growth in the volumes of regulation facilitated their metamorphosis from a service provider into a compliance authority to police their own regulations creating a whole new empire within an empire. True reform has gone by the wayside.
CAsA has turned inwards oblivious to the industry and it's well-being. Basically they couldn't care less.
Some forty years ago a consensus was reached that the regulations in the modern era were not fit for purpose and were sorely in need of updating.
After much consultation it was decided to make a start on regulatory reform, basing new regulations upon a tested and mature rule set from undoubtably the most successful and safest aviation country in the world.
The US FAR's are far from perfect, no regulation suite can be, but it was agreed, despite some fervent opposition within the ranks of the regulator, that alignment with US rules was the way to go.
A beginning was made, however progress was at a snails pace, hamstrung by opponents within the regulator.
All the while those diverse divided little businesses scattered about the country blissfully went on with their business ignoring the growing plague that was about to descend on their industry.
Australians are a fairly laid back bunch and tend to take their freedoms for granted.
The GA industry can at times be its own worse enemy. Very vocal when a threat is made to their own little fiefdom, but blind to the "Big Picture".
They were and still are, to a large extent ambivalent to the storm gathering momentum, which will ultimately threaten to wipe out their whole industry : the signs were there. As the years passed subtle un- challenged changes to the program passed without comment. The game of thrones being played out within the regulator saw the naysayers gaining ascendancy.
Things may have been a lot different if the industry as a whole had not been so apathetic and divided.
In the US people are far more aware and protective of their rights and freedoms, any attempt by bureaucracy to impinge on those will attract fervent opposition. They recognise that numbers mean power politically, so they actively support the associations that represent them and those associations actively support each other when common interests are threatened. None so much as those who represent aviation.
Our political class must also accept some responsibility for what is happening. They are the ones we elect to temper the excesses of the bureaucrats. Admittedly aviation is a highly technical business but industry was available for a "second opinion" if asked. Simply rubber stamping what you don't understand is tantamount to negligence at worst, laziness at best.
With the naysayers in control of CAsA regulatory reform has developed into a thirty year half billion dollar "make Work" factory and stealthily divesting themselves of any liability or scrutiny by hiding behind a Myth of safety.
The staggering growth in the volumes of regulation facilitated their metamorphosis from a service provider into a compliance authority to police their own regulations creating a whole new empire within an empire. True reform has gone by the wayside.
CAsA has turned inwards oblivious to the industry and it's well-being. Basically they couldn't care less.