Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has agreed to front a second gathering of general aviation advocates in Tamworth.
Joyce is part of a group of government representatives that also includes Minister for Transport Darren Chester and CASA Chairman Jeff Boyd that will attend an aviation industry rally in Tamworth on Friday 6 May.
The rally, organised by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and website Aviation Advertiser, comes hot on the heels of AOPA releasing their Project Eureka papers and another rally held in Tamworth last week.
“Project Eureka has opened the eyes of those in government to the major problems general aviation faces,” AOPA president Marc De Stoop said.
“What’s vital is to keep the momentum going now that we seem to have the decision maker’s attention.”
Representatives from Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus), the Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association (AMROBA) and the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) are also scheduled to attend.
Aviation Advertiser's Ben Morgan says given the current election cycle the industry has a chance to get its message across.
“We can’t endure another year, let alone another four years of this regulatory nightmare. Too many businesses have already been forced to the wall," he said.
“This is about our rights to own and operate aircraft in this country. We can no longer sit idle as these rights are eroded by excess regulation.”
AOPA has urged all pilots, operators, aircraft owners, engineers and anyone else with an interest in the health of general aviation to get to Tamworth in support of the advocates and to help get the message direct to government representatives.
The program for the rally at the time of writing is:
1300 - Arrival
1300-1400 - FREE BBQ lunch and drinks - Sponsored by Aviation Advertiser & AOPA.
1400 - Government representatives arrive.
1400-1430 - Closed door meeting between Government and Industry Associations.
1430-1500 - Short presentation to rally from industry representatives.
1530-1600 - Open Q&A between rally attendees and government.
1600-1800 - Tamworth Aero Club Post Event Drinks.