What a hard bunch of knockers many on here are! There are just so many grumpy browned off folk hanging around on PPRuNe with that classic Ozzie take-down attitude to anyone putting their hand up to say how proud they are of what they've done. Honestly guys and girls, we all need to lighten up and remember to smile!
I have been an AA reader for many decades and I think we all should be a little more grateful that we even have an aviation business publication of such quality in this small market. Do any of you have any idea how hard it is to make it in magazine publishing these days? (Standing by to be bullet ridden....) The market here is hardly enormous and I can imagine just how challenging the balance is between journalism and maintaining good relationships with major sponsors and supporters (and until you've been in business and had to walk those fine lines you'll never understand the wisdom of Solomon required sometimes).
Gerard, I love the new format and congratulations; clearly a lot of work has gone into this. I think BPA's suggestion
could also do articles on specialist GA companies such as Aerorescue, Coastwatch and Survey companies
is valid too. You have a great article in the Jan/Feb issue on the challenge of GA being such an ill defined term and how tough it is for so many operators and sections of GA to continue on. Well if AA needs anything it is to have a major section on GA that can highlight successful operators and key community service providers. A story in each issue on a well run operation that's delivering fundamental services and investing for the future would be a great. It will help us all see the positive and provide great material to highlight to our pollies.
That the public has so little understanding of why airports like Bankstown are so very important is because way too many of us spend more time complaining and bitching than doing anything to help fix it. AA has a tremendous role to play but we all need to support it too.
C'mon guys and girls, AA may spend a lot of time focussed on QF and the RAAF, but like Cap'n Bunghole pointed out, if they didn't they'd be ignoring a major part of our industry. But they also put a lot of effort into other areas too and what we all need here is unity, not never ending jibes about previously perceived bias or lack of coverage. The alternative is we don't have an aviation business publication like this and that would be a travesty. so let's support it.
Ren