AHIA’s week that was – ending Sun 20 Mar ’16.
What a week it was. Or was it an event filled week showing a new beginning?
Australian economy. Australia seems to be undergoing enormous changes across the whole business spectrum. The news is not all bad news, as business news sources are suggesting, the economy is perhaps performing better than expected, despite all the doom and gloom. It was thought the end of the mineral and energy export boom would translate into some kind of recession. However, the unemployment rates across the nation are not indicating this to be the case, despite much comment in the media. As an example, Queensland appeared to be suffering a setback due to the ending of the mineral resources boom. And yet today, their unemployment rate is lower than during the previous good times?
Aviation industry. Senior aviation folks who specialize in watching the performance of the aviation industry at all levels, are puzzled as to why the aviation industry is not moving ahead at present. On the upside, airlines seem to be doing well with the increased tourism due to the low Australian dollar making overseas holidays somewhat more expensive. But all other levels of the industry seem to be almost stalled when the scale of investment is analyzed more closely. Sceptics will suggest the turbulence caused by the years of CASA reform process and now their own internal restructuring has turned investors away?
Australian Federal Election? The Queensland local government election has indicated not all is well with the management of the Queensland economy by a left wing government. No matter which side of politics you are sitting, the handling of the Queensland economy by the minority government has created a true stalemate. And of course, the conservative federal government is reluctant to bail them out with additional funding. As readers no doubt realize the federal budget has been brought forward to 2 May 2016, and if some of the issues are not agreed upon by the opposition, then a federal election will be held on 2 July 2016.
General Aviation. The recent restructuring of the federal government has been accepted by many as being of some benefit to the general aviation community. This is due to the aviation industry being moved out of the busy portfolio of the Deputy Prime Minister. At present these new teams are restructuring themselves to engage more closely with our industry and most people are happy to let them settle in as they learn the good and the bad of our general aviation industry, which needs a lot of support from the federal government. It is hoped the pending election will not slow our efforts in processing an enormous number of changes within the lighter end of the industry.
We must make ourselves more efficient, competitive and with a cost effective safety system, so as to make us more attractive in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
New e-news service. Several weeks ago most of you will have received the first issue of the re-launched Helicopters Australasia. We were able to list all our company and associated company members to promote their services to the business communities. In addition, all the exhibitors from the Rotortech 2016 Exhibition Hall were also listed to ensure widespread knowledge of their activities. We are able to use the extra space to provide more information back to our members on the many committees, projects and other industry regulatory consulting activities the AHIA is engaged to ensure our industry is not harmed too much during the regulatory reform process.
Non-helicopter people probably do not know the significant changes proposed in the new regulations can be costlier for helicopter operators than their aeroplane cousins. Next edition we will have the updated listing for Australian Helicopter Flying Schools and those who are AHIA members.
Complimentary Australian Helicopter Operators’ List. In a few days, Hope, my Events Organizer Assistant will have finished sorting the 2,150 helicopters on the CASA Aircraft Register into a list showing current operators within Australia. This list shows around 950 operators in Australia. An interesting fallout from Hope's work is around one third of our operators are AOC holders and the remainder are private operators. Marketing gurus will be able to study our further comments on this list – all in the next Helicopters Australasia. Next edition will be the March Report, which looks at March’s helicopter news.
Rotortech 2016. Fri 27 to Sun 29 May 2016. All booths were sold around four months prior to the event. If by chance you missed out there are a couple of Bronze sponsorships available and a handful of events sponsorships for those with a restricted budget. The list of 50 exhibitors will be published in Helicopters Australasia with updated contact information.
Expressions of interest are requested from speakers. Call Rob – 0415 641 774.
Delegate bookings. Now available. Please ask for a Quick Order Form and accommodation information. Please note if you want to attend the conference dinner, you must advise us on the form as there is an extra fee for this event
Booth holder passes. Just a reminder that each booth holder is entitled to two delegate passes. Booth holders are entitled to two complimentary dinner tickets. We will be asking you to nominate your attendees soon, so we can prepare the necessary passes and dinner tickets.
Conference Program. Final program will be published in Helicopters Australasia at end of month; there has been a slight delay due to the announcement of the revised budget dates and the possibility of a federal election on 2 July 2016. As the event organizer, I am very excited at the quality of the presentations we have been offered. I have encouraged people to speak about the future changes that are about to occur within our industry due to the resolution of some major government contracts; including the new ADF helicopter training school for helicopter pilots and the significant expansion of many organizations to service the new aeromedical contracts that have been established in many states of Australia.
Event photographer. Complimentary for booth holders. On Fri 27 May ’16, Brian Rogers Photographics, will provide photography of Rotortech 2016, including the 50 exhibition booths and exhibitors in the VIP Heli-Park. The day will conclude with social photography of the Welcome Cocktail Party. Brian will supply digital images within 24 hours for exhibitors to quickly obtain prints for the event or use on their website for commercial and marketing. Brian can be contacted on 0417 535 503 or
[email protected] or
Home » Brian Rogers.
AHIA, Australian Helicopter Industry Association. Our backroom geeks are frantically getting the website reorganised to cater fully for the coming Rotortech event. If they can achieve this difficult objective, I will ask the Easter Bunny to call by their place on Sunday.
March Madness. Students at AHIA member flying schools are offered a free Concession Membership so they can keep abreast of the enormous changes occurring in Australia with the restructuring of CASA and the unwinding of much of the Flight Crew Licensing, Part 61 legislation. Both are scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2016 – which isn’t too far away.
Kindest regards,
AHIA Events Organiser. E:
[email protected]