AOPA Australia launches ‘Charter & Flight Training and Maintenance Industry Advisory Groups’

AOPA Australia launches ‘Charter & Flight Training and Maintenance Industry Advisory Groups’

AOPA Australia launches ‘Charter & Flight Training and Maintenance Industry Advisory Groups’

April 9, 2020 By Keira Hyatt
AOPA Australia Digital Editor NICHOLAS CHRISTIE reports.
With the Commonwealth Government’s focus perceived to be squarely on the survival of our major airlines, thousands of General Aviation businesses across Australia are left with challenges that are both unprecedented, and...

With the Commonwealth Government’s focus perceived to be squarely on the survival of our major airlines, thousands of General Aviation businesses across Australia are left with challenges that are both unprecedented, and potentially devastating. Now, AOPA Australia has announced the creation of the ‘AOPA Australia Charter & Flight Training Industry Advisory Group’, to give an ‘urgent, single voice’ to an industry fighting for its very existence.

The group will consist of broad-based representation across all sectors of GA, including flight training organisations (including RAAus schools), charter operators and maintenance organisations to bring together a package of urgent, medium term and ongoing reforms to help save the arguably far less public face of aviation, from collapse.

“It has been recognised by AOPA Australia that there has been a gap in the representation of General Aviation, particularly at this time. We recognise that the Government has been focused on the airlines, but that the grass roots of our aviation industry in Australia urgently needs a single voice”, said Benjamin Morgan, CEO of AOPA Australia.
“This is the first time in Australia’s General Aviation history that we can claim to witness GA operators of all types coming together, willing to support a representative body. This move should ignite an understanding of the gravity of the situation that GA finds itself in; not just because of the COVID-19 situation. This is something that has been brewing for close to a decade”.
“We understand that operators have their hands full currently, but I’m looking forward to ensuring that the needs of the sector is communicated quickly – and thanks in advance needs to go to our panel members for giving up their time during a difficult period”, he said.
ABOVE: AOPA Australia’s advisory group recommendations will be submitted to Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development, The Hon Michael McCormack within weeks.

With the need for a breadth of experience across a wide range of disciplines, AOPA Australia will assemble a team co-chaired by Executive Corporate Partner and Senior Base Manager at Panorama Airways, Ms Tammy Camilleri and RAAus Board Member & Flight School operator, Mr Alan Middleton.

According to AOPA Australia, both individuals are respected industry experts with a deep understanding of the regulatory and operational environment in GA and recreational aviation in Australia – and of the short and longer-term needs of the industry more broadly.

“I am looking forward to working with my co-chair Alan Middleton, in seeking to understand the concerns of our charter and flight training industry partners.  Through the AOPA Australia panel, i hope that we can quickly be position to help provide clear guidance and advice.  I join Ben in warmly inviting our charter and flight training colleagues to participate in this initiative.”, said Mrs Tammy Camilleri.

“Politicians and hard-working bureaucrats need to be confident that they are receiving policy advice that meaningfully and accurately reflects the needs of all aviation participants.  I look forward to working with AOPA Australia and Tammy in assisting our industry.”, said Mr Middleton.
“We want to take a great deal of care in providing Government the best advice and menu of options – and that can only come from discussions that represent the many, and varied, industry groups. The advice going to Government currently is in danger of being piecemeal – and not sufficiently broadly based to be described as a reliable and targeted set of policy directions. The establishment of this group has come about on the perception that General Aviation has been less than properly and fully represented.” said Mrs Camilleri.
The group recommendations will be submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack for review and consideration, to members of Parliament and will be made available to members of the public.

Charter, flight training and maintenance organisations are invited to register their participation, to the following contacts;

Tammy Camelleri
Chairperson – Charter & Flight Training Advisory Group
AOPA Australia
Email: tam.camerlleri@aopa.com.au
Mobile: 0409 868 380

Alan Middleton
Chairperson – Recreational Flight Training Advisory Group
AOPA Australia
Email: alan.middleton@aopa.com.au
Mobile: 0407 356 948

Ken Cannane
Chairperson – Maintenance Industry Advisory Group
AOPA Australia
Email: ken.cannane@aopa.com.au
Mobile: 0408 029 329

 

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AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Dave Hirschman joined AOPA in 2008. He has an airline transport pilot certificate and instrument and multiengine flight instructor certificates. Dave flies vintage, historical, and Experimental airplanes and specializes in tailwheel and aerobatic instruction.

Topic: Flight Training

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