Your (Victorian) tax dollars at work?

[Plow King]

Mildura received a visit today from Acting Victorian Premier Peter Ryan to announce some funding projects, one of which is $2.2 million for the never-ending "re-development" of the airport. Rather than travel by one of the 7 return RPT services (depending on the day), he arrived on a Bombardier Global Express with what looked like no more than 6 POB. Politics aside, I was just wondering if someone in corporate aviation circles could enlighten me as to what conditions would preclude such a figure travelling by one of three perfectly adequate RPT operators, and roughly what the hourly rate on a Global Express is.

I guess the bigger question is - is $2.2 mil enough to see the "security" fence continue beyond the 18 threshold (because terrorists hate walking that extra 100 metres), and will the old QLink maintenance hangar be put to greater use than storing the airport managers boat? :ugh:

Hope the guys in the GLEX didn't get accosted by the Mildura Airport Stasi to produce their ASIC like their GA brethren frequently do, that never leaves a good taste in visitor's mouths. :yuk:

[nomorecatering]

A Global experss genarally books out at $12,000 an hr.

[Wally Mk2]

MIA & AY, my two fav places once for being treated like a criminal,especially AY!!
I'd hate to think what that little junket cost us lot, $15+k at a guess?
I used to fly the pollies around years ago, trust me it was a joke !

Perimeter fences are for the honest terrorists!!


Wmk2

[lk978]

In fairness it is probably the GLEX that is on the charter market for about 7K an hour... it is killing the market. Maybe they got a great deal on the charter.

[SgtBundy]

Look at it this way, its a few more aviation jobs out there.

[Plow King]

Well, it's the GLEX with red and blue stripes if that fills any blanks. Why you would take a nice looking aeroplane and give it a sh!thouse paintjob like that is beyond me.

[VH-XXX]

Seriously, you should call his office and speak to him, you will probably get hold of him.

If you can't, at least let them know how disappointed you are.

I did something similar when they flew a Merlin, Citation and Cheyenne from Mel - Syd with a few firefighters on board; it was a rewarding conversation and I don't think they will do that again.

Chances are that Mildura was not the only destination that day and as soon as you start to add in a few stops, the RPT argument falls apart very quickly.

Alternatively, get onto the Herald Sun straight away in the morning and they will probably publish it by the arvo, however depends which party they are out to burn this week.

[TBM-Legend]

.... should be happy that the pollies are supporting something other than the airlines..

[Fieldmouse]

NSW state government contribution to aviation in the last 15 years? Zip.

[OZBUSDRIVER]

Been to Temora in the last five years, Fieldmouse?

[Frank Arouet]

I thought Frank Lowy was responsible for most of that infrastructure.

What has NSW Gov't put into the place in the last 15 years?

I don't know, so feel free to educate me.

[Plow King]

Seriously, you should call his office and speak to him, you will probably get hold of him.

If you can't, at least let them know how disappointed you are.


Good advice XXX, I'll go down that path before I start making rambling phone calls to Trevor Chappell on ABC at 3am. From my limited observations of Peter Ryan he seems like a straight-shooter and doesn't seem to be the sort of individual who would take liberties of this nature.

Chances are that Mildura was not the only destination that day and as soon as you start to add in a few stops, the RPT argument falls apart very quickly.


Could well be true, I'm not aware of the itinerary. Although I did wonder where else in Victoria you could get a Global Express in that didn't have convenient RPT services. Also, their arrival did fall within 25 mins of two RPT services and there were return flights later in the day, but I am aware it is hard to put a value on time and convenience.

Anyway, I might be way off the mark here, but if no-one asks the questions these things continue to occur unchallenged.

MIA & AY, my two fav places once for being treated like a criminal

Don't tar us all with the same brush Wally, we're not all pr!cks up here (although some might beg to differ about me). If you're ever here for more than 30 mins we'll catch up for a coffee - if the empire building continues we'll probably have a Starbucks here by then!

[Fieldmouse]

New $20 Million Regional Aviation Fund - Projects and Initiatives - Department of Business and Innovation (http://www.dbi.vic.gov.au/projects-and-inititatives/new-$20-million-regional-aviation-fund)

NSW rural and regional airports would sell their first born for a government commitment like this.

[mcgrath50]

Must admit I've always been looked after greatly by the AROs at Mildura, even helping to make some running repairs on a window whose latch had broken!

[Wally Mk2]

'PK' I didn't say the word 'pricks' I didn't implicate anyone actually just mentioned that at those two places MIA & AY one felt like one was a criminal.
I don't visit those places anymore thank God!!
Both places I have along with my fellow work college/s tried to get outside the terminal air-side (something that I had been doing for the past 10 yrs 'till the nazi party took over)to walk back to our plane & we are treated like I/we was a terrorist!!!
It's a pet hate of mine being treated like a criminal going thru to the flight line when we pilots had to go thru such BS to get a pathetic ASIC!!:ugh: what's in the cockpit of most planes of RPT size? A crash axe !!!!:ugh:

A good sized turbo prop would have been adequate for the Pollies to get around in, such a 'Global' display is a contemptible act to those that pay for such junkets, US!!!


Wmk2

[rjtjrt]

Wally
What does the law state about that situation (going out of terminal to airside if you have a valid ASIC)?
John

[Plow King]

Yeah, you're right Wally, that did come off a little harsh, I just couldn't find the "tongue in cheek" icon. :ok:

The AROs are pretty good in general; there have been a couple of acts that left a little to be desired but they're probably just executing orders from above.

[megle2]

If your a Pollie, the first law of arranging your itinerary

Obtain the RPT schedule

Then-arrange your schedule so that it falls outside the RPT times

You can then justify the need for a charter aircraft as there are no corresponding / suitable RPT flights!

EASY AS