On Monday AOPA released measures that show quite emphatically that general aviation in Australia is on a downward curve. They did so after a challenge from CASA's Mark Skidmore to prove GA activity is on the wane. Challenge accepted ... and done! CASA has responed by stating that they agree with AOPA's position, but that there's more behind the decline that just unworkable regulation. Here's where I make myself unpopular: CASA is right, partially. Fixing regulation is not going to bring enough new bodies through the door to reverse the downward trend and put energy and mass back into general aviation, which is what is really needed to bolster our industry.
However, constant swordfighting with the blackhats is preventing us from getting to the damsel in distress. We're so busy trying to cope with overwhelming regulatory burdens that don't advance safety that we can't even think about what is needed to attract more people to aviation. It's almost like flying schools and AOCs exist solely to push paper around. However, CASA can open the jailhouse door, but it is up to the industry to walk though it themselves. CASA will not teach us how to market our businesses, nor how to properly evaluate investments, nor fleet planning nor how to make flying instructors realise they have a role as sales people. That's up to the industry itself.
And speaking of statistics, the General Aircraft Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the latest GA aircraft shipment data this week.The figures are disappointing as they show a continued decline in deliveries over last year, but at least they are up against Q1 2016. The outstanding number is that of the Cirrus SR22 range. They shipped 91 aircraft in the quarter, which is nearly four times as many as all the manufacturers in the high-speed singles category. But exactly what does this tell us? It probably tells us that new aircraft owners are wanting new aircraft, not revamped older models. Cirrus gazumped everyone 20 years ago by showing us the radical new composite design that broke all the established rules; rules that were at least 30 years old at the time. Cessna has since fought back with the TTx, but it's starting from back mark that represents a significant handicap.
Where's Lachie? After successfully crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Cannes, young Lachie Smart was last heard of on the western shore of the Red Sea. His flight took him via Iraklion in Crete and Cairo before he fetched up at Hurghada International Airport in Egypt. His next leg is to Muscat in Oman, before crossing the Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka. At that stage, he'll be within sniffing distance of our shores once again, but still with a mighty task ahead of him. Follow Lachie yourself on the Wings Around the World website.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch