[Sandy Reith]

K raises one important matter about any hope of reform, will the Opposition formulate reform policies to take to the next election?

All too often we hear, from take your pick, we will reduce red tape.

This would not be nearly good enough, we will need real detailed policies. We wish to see that whoever wins are likely to make the changes that are necessary to create the jobs and services that will flow from reform.

[Kharon]

Begin at the beginning -

“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely,"and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

Aye; well enough for 'the King' - but, as I look around at the bookcases; I have to wonder, when did it all begin. The gradual slide into the current abyss. There can be no mistake about it; Australia is a good way down the road to aviation perdition and well on the way toward the gates into the underworld. It leaves me wondering how much longer we can limp along; pretending that SARPS and the SSP and the lip service to ICAO 'compliance' will be allowed to continue without some very serious 'parliamentary' brakes being applied?  I look at the shelf full of the current regulatory suite; there is a lot - a serious lot - of thick tomes. Then I look down a couple of shelves to a corner which holds the first (dusty) and only set of the Air Navigation Orders; a slim volume; about 18mm thick - the ANR's were almost completely in ICAO compliance, even 'friendly' - particularly for engineering stuff; writ by folks who understood what they were about. Simple stuff, stuff with 'real teeth' - for both parties. There were other 'manuals' the regulations and etc. The CAO - Civil Aviation Orders - a bit more bulky a volume - but compliance made easy to achieve; and - more to the point, easier to enforce and bloody close to the ICAO tenets.

Popularly, the principle is sometimes paraphrased as "The simplest explanation is usually the best one. -(novacula Occami). Or. keep it simple stupid. (KISS)......

To this very day; any 'company' manual, which adheres to the ANR and CAO is not only based in 'the real law' but neatly complies with ICAO fundamentals and even with the 'new', ever changing regulations. In basic principals at very least; if (rarely) not in complete 'lock step' with the make work version(s). Perhaps its the 'scam' which bothers, or the arrogance. Can't decide which offends the most. When nations like Oman, Jordan and Nepal can manage to be within 3 or 4 small pages of 'compliance' differences; why is Australia posting a massive number?  Perhaps, there are too many earning a living being 'separated', with excuses from the stated aim of 'global' aviation unity. Or,  maybe, perhaps it is an arrogant posture; one taken to decry the ICAO principals and demonstrate that Australia; and Australia alone knows what it is doing. CASA have, for too many decades now been a 'law' unto themselves; a monolith, a sacred cow  an untouchable. Terrifying politicians into increased money needed, on the back of a 'safety' (political) call. That, readers is a Bollocks - of the first water. Australia should have no more 'differences' than Jordan or Nepal; in reality it should be less. These are developing nations, without the expertise, fleet or finances to 'strut' their disregard for what is a legally agreed world wide, binding 'agreement' with the world's first aviation nations. Solve part of the national debt? Easy, take away  the funding for such egocentric adventures into 'avoiding' the nations obligations to improved, signed up to systems and; as a side bar, the safety for those who travel by air. - Rant over....

"Harshaw had the arrogant humility of the man who has learned so much that he is aware of his own ignorance and he saw no point in 'measurements' when he did not know what he was measuring.”

However; I digress; my looking at the manuals in the library and wondering 'where' it had all gone to Hell in a hand-cart was triggered by the Honourable McKenzie and Co. What a fantastic Shadow M o T she makes; aided and possibly abetted by like minded politicians who have witnessed the decline, confusion and deception inherent in the current 'way things are' - within the DoIT, CASA, ATSB and ASA. Will McKenzie 'grasp the nettle'? Its all there to see; plain as day. But; she is but one Senator facing down a huge; entrenched, funded and 'self righteous' (with excuses) colossus of three quintessentially publicly funded 'safety' agencies which have become, through political sleight of hand, 'independent'. Above the reach of the industry, way beyond any 'ministerial' control and; more to the point, have sold this crock to hapless, spineless governments (and ministers) for decades. The politicians have taken the easy way out; turned loose the oversight of 'matters aeronautical' to independent (answer to no man) agencies - in the hope (vainglorious and ridiculous) that they may actually make a profit and - keep every one 'safe'. This great 'cop-out' has been fostered and promoted for decades now. Can McKenzie and Co. call time on this great rip off? We shall see. I should mention that should the good Senator and her 'comrades in exile' ever get serious and have the opportunity to put a stop to this well entrenched avoidance of responsibility; then the BRB will weigh in - reality and expertise is readily and freely available to them as seek it. The real facts should worry - Alas- who would 'you' talk to - King?  Hah~!! Rather chew my foot off.

“Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”

Item last - a personal opinion; apropos of nothing aviation related. On 'you-tube' or Netflix I can watch any form of violence, from 'Sci-Fi' to ancient history. Some of it truly bloody and disturbing. Guns, swords, knifes - mass murders, conquests, genocides etc. etc.  These movies (imaginings based on reality) are freely available, world wide, free to air; and, while perhaps 'fanciful' are watched by all. Even 'The Hobbits' and Harry Potter have 'graphic' renditions of serious violence; murder and the rest. Yet when 'real' violence - the every day kind is presented; there are calls for that to be 'prohibited'. Perhaps, the stark reality of real, in your backyard violence should be allowed to be shown - even if just to remind folks of what the real thing looks like. Its bloody, dangerous and no where near the Hollywood version. Even the Christian bible relates some fairly horrendous tales. All freely available - so why pick on Musk and his X platform? Perhaps, maybe, if folk realised the consequences of the 'real thing' it would be apparent through what we as humans are truly capable of. Peace? When has there ever been such a thing - in the long march of human history? Never - not since the cave..Who'd have a Bobby's job? Not I. (but with great respect for the 'services' which try to save life and maintain the peace)....Thanks to all ...

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy, instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that".

Long ramble, I know:

"Why, yes," said he, "and the strange thing is, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, that if my friend here had not proposed coming round to you this morning I should have come on my own account. I understand that you think out little puzzles, and I've had one this morning which wants more thinking out than I am able to give it."

Amen to that: no matter - there is a small furry delegation camped about the workbench - no pressure of course; but, it is a lovely evening and perhaps a long night time ramble may (as it always does) clear away those thoughts which trouble and vex. The sight of the big dog hoovering up the night scents; little dog learning his trade (and manners) the ever present sense of the cat at high speed then dropping far behind; a spectre, a master hunter and as a stoic, instinctive representative of 'reality' in the real world as is possible to find. "Away then" all of you - they know to wait at the orchard gate - for it is there the 'adventure' begins. Far, far away from modern life - reality in a nutshell - the nature of things; as writ before 'writing' and such things as 'the internet' Aye, it really is a very small world with little change in human nature; not when you get right down to it, it ain't.

Selah........

[Kharon]

Responsibility - at one remove..

We are free to choose our paths, but we can't choose the consequences that come with them". 

It must be something to do with rain; precipitation - if you prefer. Tramping about in wet boots, trousers and knowing that the dogs are colder and wetter than I - and that I must attend to them before seeing to my own comfort. Why? Well, I am 'responsible' for their well being; no one else is. Just me; it goes with the job description. I was taught from an early age the meaning of being 'responsible' and the consequences of failing to meet my obligations. Later the consequences of not doing a thing 'correctly' or to best of my ability or not learning from error there was always a price to pay. This was quickly realised and thoroughly corrected before entering a working 'life' environment, where it mattered and no prisoners were taken. Perhaps this is the reason for my abject disappointment with the shameful performance of what are supposed to be Australia's world class, gold standard aviation 'oversight' systems. One could be forgiven for imagining the astronomical 'cost' of these agencies equates to excellence - it does not. Furthermore on a per 'aircraft movement' basis (across the board) it is the most expensive system on the planet. Add up the real 'money' invested by the tax payer (total budget) and divide by aircraft movements - then compare that to the USA or UK - yet the 'budgets' keep growing. It is a truly 'scary' number. Throwing more tax/user pays money at it will not correct the 'problems'..

“So, in the end, above ground you must have the Haves, pursuing pleasure and comfort and beauty, and below ground the Have-not, the Workers getting continually adapted to the conditions of their labour."

But, I digress; 'responsibility' was the bottom line; or more on target, the deliberate 'avoidance' of that incubus. An ATCO, Fireman, Policeman, Pilot, Ship Master, Bus driver, Electrician, Plumber, Builder, Carpenter, kitchen hand or toilet cleaner - if they 'get-it-wrong'- and create a pig's ear - they are "in the gun". No holds barred, penalties, fines - even gaol time for some. Yet those responsible for a thing like ICAO compliance; sound air traffic control, sensible management of an industry or even the analysis of fatal and potentially fatal accident can simply gloss over any and all real responsibility. Protected, safe, warm and dry within a fatally flawed system which is diametrically opposed to 'the rule of law', out of government control; and, visibly disintegrating, bit by bit, on a daily basis. Easy enough to rectify -  just change chairs, take the pay increase and never even look back at the carnage left in the wake.

“What's the use you learning to do right when it's troublesome to do right and ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?”

In the real world there are 'consequences' - and a 'knock on' effect from those consequences. Courts, Tribunals, Inquiries, Estimates and Investigations - all have a common thread (in general terms); its the same with Kids - 'cause; effect and consequence'. Remember that old rhyme "for want of a nail the shoe was lost' etc. A classic 'cause and effect' lesson - however, it fails in part to address and correct the radical cause. Before throwing a saddle across the horse, the prudent rider picks up each hoof and checks that all is as it should be; few excuses for avoiding this responsibility, for, as the poem says, there is much at stake. In the governance of 'matters aeronautical' case, the avoidance of 'responsibility' has become an expensive, exquisite, rarefied art form. Anyone who believes for a minute that sacking Halfwit and even his Board will correct the consequences of avoiding responsibility is dreaming. The corrections required demand Ministerial not departmental intervention. The sums of money needed to effect the changes is outlandish - but money and spin alone will not correct the flaws nor shoo away the negligence inflicted. IMO the Minister should bring charges against Halfwit and his Board for gross negligence, dereliction and gross incompetence; accept the responsibility a crown minister has to the public and return Australian airspace to world best standard. Its bloody embarrassing, not to mention potentially dangerous to allow ATC and fire services services to limp along as it stands.

“If cats could count, they’d start getting nervous around the time they put paid to their fifth life.”

Aye, so much for Halfwit a good riddance I call it, I can't see him queuing up at the dole office or visiting the food bank; no Sir. But, no matter, I made half a dozen doors this week to be installed; tricky things to make are doors - using hand tools but most satisfactory when complete, the 'raised panels' were demanding as they were made from 'edge jointed' boards to get the width needed: most satisfactory. Looking out of the window at the cold, bleak, wet landscape, lowering cloud and buckets of rain; its not rocket science to work out why there is not a delegation at the door. Perhaps another coffee?

Selah -.-

[Kharon]

But then; are we truly lost?

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."

Tolkien opens the batting quite nicely I think for the 'return to sanity' trophy. 'Sanity' in this case may be judged by true, agreed and contracted ICAO compliance. Australia did sign up, early in the piece and was, for a while at least, a stalwart supporter of the Chicago Convention. Back in the early days 'law' and 'orders' were written to make 'compliance' a clear, easy objective. Sensible, unambiguous with 'latitude' built in to allow innovation - and air operations thrived; not all prospered but the industry was a 'going concern'. Slowly and with some stealth for some unfathomable reason, a dark cloud grew over the administration and the impositions on air operations. The 'thing' we have to work with today represents a juxtaposition to both spirit and intent of the original tenets governing what is essentially, an industry which has changed very little.

The 'old' style of 'regulation is clearly represented by "All that is gold does not glitter."Indeed it is hard to find a hint of the original 'glitter' beneath the swathes of convoluted, complex 'rules' which are as easily prosecuted as they are strongly protective of the governing agencies. Agencies which are detached from any form of 'government' control, required to consider profit ahead of operational excellence and cannot be brought back to reality by the government which pay them with levies on the industry. If the agencies were required to 'break even' that would be a considerable saving. If the agencies could be held accountable for their 'operations', that would improve not only 'safety' but pave the way to operational compliance.

"Not all those who wander are lost;" - yet, Australian aviation governance is not only 'lost' but refuses to see the 'exit' signs. There are many, many of these signs; and many examples of deliberate institutional blindness. ICAO 'compliance' for one; the State Safety Program (SSP) another. Two specific tenets from which money may be drawn, lots of it, all spent on producing massive amounts 'registered differences' which, technically, keep 'compliance' whilst supporting the differences from standard. Why? That would be a good question to have answered and acted on - perhaps by the incumbent government minister; or better yet the 'shadow minister'..

"The old that is strong does not wither." So very apt - despite the pointless, endless reworking of regulation and slippery lip service to international 'compliance' agreements/contracts the 'old' - original texts are far and away superior, succinct and achievable; without the built in hanging nooses which exonerate and protect those who draft 'clever' sentences which deflect all responsibility and liability.

The stanza - "Deep roots are not reached by the frost" may not stand the test of time, the 'frost' has held sway for many years now and the 'deep roots' - those which helped the industry to flourish are slowly withering away. Not too many will have been to an aerodrome at 0600 and seen the queues of aircraft waiting to depart; or at the fuel bowser or in hangers. Fire truck in attendance, fuel truck flat out; no; at 0530 o'clock most aerodromes are a lonesome, windswept wilderness.

There are probably a few reasons, not directly related to 'governance for this barren landscape; not too many though.However, it makes a remarkable graph and presents an unequivocal, clear ratio matrix; to compare the growth of the agencies and regulation to the decline in air operations and operators. It really does make a 'remarkable' graphic descriptor.

“I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of "Admin." The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."

Speaking of a thoroughly nasty 'business' concerns; I must mention the soon to be forgotten halfwit and his Board; Amen to that. Is there now hope that flights into Brisbane will not be required to carry an extra hour of fuel; or, even better - be allowed to make a constant descent profile a norm rather than a luxury. The notion of 'dive and drive' was outlawed donkey's years ago - and yet, essentially; that is the 'norm' there. Dragging a fully loaded aircraft - over the city, in approach configuration (dirty) is not only counter intuitive, but highly counterproductive (read expensive and potentially dangerous). Companies don't care - just bang an extra $30 or $50 onto the ticket price - short approach = ahead; long approach break even at worst. It is a nonsense and now they want to increase the 'tail-wind' maximum - Bullshit; all of it. Purest moonshine, sold by the purveyors of snake oil.

Aye: ”If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”

Item last: one which is well worthy of highest commendation; the other, not so much. It begs what is IMO an interesting question; raised by a bRB member. Both need reading and a minute or two reflection. This first class submission - HERE -by Moorabin Council is worthy of the time  - the latest LMH in the Australian Flying magazine ain't. You'd have to wonder why Hitch chooses to sit on the fence instead of boosting the Moorabin sensible submission. I agree with the BRB majority - "if you sit on the fence, you get little, splinters in your arse". Hitch is a long (long) way short of the peerless Phelan; for whom we wish tailwinds and a never ending supply of that which pleases him best.

Delayed due 'Mothers day'. Nearly time to turn off the lamps, managed to get the dogs and myself home almost dry - except for boots, socks and paws. The cat elegant as always, declined the invitation; preferring to share (reluctantly) my chair. Aye; there's a pile of firewood under shelter; more inside drying out. I look forward to the days growing short; the crackle of the stove, the smell of woodsmoke etc. Just have to remember to take my boots off before late night kitchen raids for sausage rolls and cake - (got caught last week - ).

Selah-.-