It's our good fortune to have an RAA and GA flight school working together here. Both CFI's are GA + RAA rated, both are also high hours GA Gr 1's. There's a good awareness of what's happening in both camps, and that seems to help lots.
The fact that GA and RAA students are meeting up at the school seems to also be good for our airport. People get invites to events, they hear about the aeroclub, the local SAAA chapter,and who's building what on the airport. We expect that this will increase of conversions from RAA into GA, and vice versa. Currently it looks like the elderly are going GA to RAA, and the young are going RAA to GA.
All students, (RAA & GA), get the same training here in respect of CTAF(R) ops. The training focuses on co-operation with the IFR/RPT group, by way of not baulking a straight in approach, land & hold short if necessary, and by holding in orbits or longer circuit legs....amongst other stuff. Students are also taught how to operate with the frequent RAAF ops here by 2FTS Pearce.
Sure, we have some difficulties, but it's not a case of the pilots being GA or RAA - it's more whether they have an 'attitude', or they are from out in the sticks and just don't have a clue. Overuse of the radio seems more a problem here. Since getting our own frequency, (127.85) , students are finding it easier to comprehend traffic...126.7 was just not user friendly.
We have found that RPT do appreciate the courtesies, so do the RAAF - but a very few IFR GA people seem to regard a straight in approach as a right, rather than an option dependant on traffic.
We don't encourage anyone wanting a BFR to even think about coming here unless they have a serviceable radio and know the procedures - GA or RAA. That can sometimes mean the instructor flying 'out' to do the BFR elsewhere...but it seems more prudent.
We're not excited about CTA endorsements. Frankly, most RAA pilots would rather dodge 'real' CTA. For the higher performance aircraft, usually with GPS fitted, it's getting easier. The rag & tubers would usually try to avoid CTAF(R) as well...not a bad thing, really.
Just a few comments from someone with feet on both sides....
happy days,