BRB last evening; the really good part was the last item, a low key but very enthusiastic celebration for CHC and their associates; glasses were raised, toasts (and sacrificial peanuts) were offered to the pagan gods who occasionally break wind and make something really good happen. It's not our tale to tell, I'll leave that to those with first hand knowledge; but well done – you know who you are. We wondered if the inestimable Xenophon will have a word or two to say?????_?...
The more routine parts focussed on the vexed issue of whether Australia needs EASA, NZ or FAA style rules. The new DAS, like most of us, is rumoured to be more familiar with the FAA/NZ style, format and philosophy, so that was a factor in the discussion. Anyway – FWIW the vote went slightly toward the NZ system, but it was a close run thing; the FAA supporters were just short a couple of their stalwarts; EASA finished a long way behind. We decided to call it a draw and schedule a serious discussion at the next big indaba. Why?, well the answer really lays in industry hands; it was decided to 'reach out' as the Americans say and see what 'other' folk thought. It's a serious question, because if the regulatory reform program (remember that) is to be 'open' and consultative, industry needs to know what it wants.
One bright spark opined that industry don't give a hoot, have little interest and simply want the 'grown ups' to make a ducking decision, get on with it and let them get on with doing business.
Another 'clever lad' piped up that industry is indeed very interested and quoted numbers, ranging from submissions to inquiry, the WLR and from our very own Pprune to qualify the argument. They are impressive – for example the two Senate threads (don't mention the unforgivable closure of the first one, dust up every time) combined have generated some 1, 200, 000 reads; that's one million, two hundred thousand 'views' and counting. The Truss WLR thread has generated a further 167, 400 'views' and counting. Just looking at Pprune now there are 719,032 views of the two threads. Now, I'd call that interest. There must be some out there with an opinion on which direction the rules set should take and how many 'tiers' we really want or need.
Perhaps it's a good idea, to have an idea of the answer, before the question is asked.
Right then; back to my knitting....
