Well put together there Dick. Of course all that you wrote is just your personal opinions as is everyone elses in here. The trouble is what is actually right & wrong with the way we run aviation in this country? Again any asnwer is just personal opinons. Worlds best practice? Why can't we (Aus) be worlds best practice? I wouldn't look to the states for advice, they can hardly manage their own economy never lone aviation as a stand alone industry.
Safety the root basis for all costs outside of DOC's comes under the heading of 'afforable safety', where do we draw the line in the sand with that one? That line moves with progress & progress isn't always for the best.
'ferris' that's a good point why do we need to pay fuel tax on avgas etc?
Because ALL taxes end up in the melting pot to be used as the Govt of the day sees fit, aviation fuel tax is a real gravy train for the Govt.
Still overall I agree that this country is in a fair bit of trouble as is the worlds economics but the degree of it's severity is based upon how well the humans of this planet know of it in the first place. That can only come from the media, now there in lies a real can of worms!
CW