With Wings over Illawarra taking up much of my cerebral processing power last Friday and Saturday, I made the decision not to bring out a newsletter, but delay it to today instead. It gave me time to sit back, chat to people and enjoy the show. I also pointed my camera around a little bit too; the results are in our Wings over Illawarra gallery on the Australian Flying website.
WOI is starting to gain traction with the public and military as an important event for the region, and the organisers made an attempt this year to forge a greater connection with general aviation with the Aviatex expo. Aviatex ran over three days, including the Friday as well as the Saturday and Sunday of the air show. The Friday was a trade-only day, but may have mis-fired somewhat as the day was not well attended. This was likely a miscalculation, because it forced Aviatex to draw its own crowd without the added attraction of an air show as well. Not even Avalon does that. Exhibitors were much happier with the attendances on the Saturday when the air show was on, so the point is possibly proven.
The AOPA presence at WOI apparently heralds a new level of participation for the association. AOPA has attended many shows over the years, but the one thing that has been missing is serious hosting for members. That has never been a sign of a lack of will, rather a lack of available funds. With the marquee, fenced-off seating area and now the aerobatic team established, AOPA is making itself a large player in aviation events in Australia. Not only is this a great way to wave the flag, but also to increase the value of a membership.
CASA has elected to do away with one of the most reviled ADs that has ever inflicted the general aviation industry. The requirement was to dispose of control cables just because they had been installed over 15 years ago or more. Aviation maintenance is expensive enough as it is without throwing away components that may be still very usable. Now, there is a real danger of frayed cables causing all sorts of mayhem in the air, so an inspection regime is not unreasonable, and is probably what the AD should have contained in the first place. I think there's a lot to be learned here, and let's hope the right people learn the right lessons.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch