Originally Posted by
43Inches
I agree with Dick in part, not because of relative population, but in regard to relative Aviating population. The number of active pilots at all levels in the USA, the amount and density of traffic and airports, military airspace, weather phenomenon, elevation, and so on is far above Australias pitiful aviation scene. Australia should have an accident rate 1/10th that of the USA, but it does not. I do blame in part the rule set and abomination of what is Australias regulator and government decisions in relation to Aviation infrastructure. Safe skies are empty skies as far as Australia is concerned.
Couldn’t agree more, in so many ways the regulatory environment has cruelled what should be a healthy competitive GA industry. For example, we’ve lost hundreds of flying schools and experienced instructors due to the inordinately complex and expensive requirements of CASA. The uptake of IF ratings has built in disincentives such as not permitted with C5 and Basic C2 medicals.
Then there’s all the invented permissions for which CASA charges exorbitant fees and the wrong principle that the independent regulator should recoup a large proportion of its expenses from the industry.