Aerial Patrol on the rocks?

[50 50]

Widely reported today that the Aerial Patrol has run into a crisis with both staff and funding. Grounded until further notice due to the resignation of their chief pilot, and funding frozen by the main benefactor. The replacement of the board and GM can only be a positive for the dedicated staff that have been shortchanged throughout the years, I hope the young crew can find employment sooner rather than later.

The tight lipped interviews and press releases indicate more drama to come.

I will watch with interest the machinations of the greasy Greek. I'm not exactly sympathetic. HM owes me thousands and Wazza fired me when I asked for the money. Boo bloody hoo.

[aviationissocool]

South Coast aerial shark patrol in strife | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3775780/south-coast-aerial-shark-patrol-in-strife/?cs=300)

[Horatio Leafblower]

The word I have received from within is that the media reports are somewhat sensationalised and over-stated. Replace the CFI/CP and all will be well.

....which I offer at face value.

[Checklist Charlie]

I wonder if any prospective CFI/CP will also be able to write the job description that only their particular approvals/authorisations/delegations can satisfy to the exclusion of others.

CC:=

[50 50]

Who would be mad enough to join a business that has had its accounts frozen?

The departure of a senior staff member last year came with the release of a long and very detailed account of the internal conflict between Harry and Wazza, and raised plenty of questions as to where the money actually was. All answered with "No comment". It's a house of cards that was bound to fall over eventually.

If Wazza had planned his departure for the end of the month surley there was someone lined up for the job. Bringing the date forward 2 weeks shouldn't be the end of the world.

[dhavillandpilot]

Didn't they sell their chieftain recently. Surely the cash from that even to retire debt would have been positive for their business.

WG has been going to retire for sometime, is there a fishing line in the back of his car?????

All the dealings I've had with HM have been reasonable and business like, so what's your problem 50/50.

Like all small GA business it's tough out there and the Aerial Patrol are no different.

[zanthrus]

From AFAP site today:

NSW Air conducts operations under an AOC for Flight Training. Chmier and Aerial Work.

The fleet includes basic trainers; C 152, Cl72; intermediate trainers; IFR Warrior 11 , Piper Arrow; and multi-engine aircraft, including Beech Duchess, Partenavia and Piper Twin Comanche.

Our priority is to employ a Chief Flying Instructor and if possible a Chief Pilot. The skills we seek are:


Grade 1 Flight instructor, Multi Engine Instrument Rating and a Multi Engine Training Approval.
50 hours Multi Engine training experience.
250 hours commercial/charter operations - other than flying training.
200 hours Instructional experience as a Grade 1 Instructor.
Preference will be given to applicants having the following experience:

250 hours Instrument rating training experience.
2000 hours total aeronautical experience.
500 hours instructional experience as a Grade 1 Instructor.
250 hours instructor training experience.
Applicants should apply with full details to: Harry Mitchell
[email protected]

[50 50]

What's my problem? Did you not read my post? It's fairly clear, Harry owes me money. Won't pay. Not happy. I can't dumb it down any further.

You've never had a problem? Good for you, what does that have to do with anyone else?

[Aussie Bob]

Advertising for CFI/CP yet again. 3rd time in 6 months.


I wonder what sort of remuneration I could expect? IMHO it is a job that should pay 150K but I am guessing that is optimistic.

BTW I have no knowledge of this business and don't mean anything derogatory.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Aussie Bob,

many would argue that a CP/CFI would be sufficiently "management" to not have the award apply to the position - however - the minimum AWARD salary for the CFI/CP they seek is about $69k incl super, plus about $2k in allowances.

Not much eh?

[aviationissocool]

Still grounded or has CP/CFI been found?

[red_dirt]

Well mr WG I hope you'll enjoy your retirement.

Cant do any more damage now

[Ejector]

"the salary for the CFI/CP they seek is about $69k incl super, plus about $2k in allowances."
Pilots are the only breed of people I see boasting of wages that include Super and meal allowances.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Ejector,

I know what you mean but my intention was to make the size of the TOTAL minimum award package crystal clear.

If I had posted just one number then nothing surer, people would ask if it included X, Y, or Z.

Reality is that the majority of pilots in this forum are paid, or have in the past been paid, in accordance with the pilot's award in some form or another. These are the terms they think in when it comes to salaries.

Coal miners and the like also talk about their salaries in terms of hourly rates, production bonuses, travel allowances, overnight allowances, etc.

I don't see anyone boasting about the figure above, considering that it is (rightly or wrongly) the minimum legal amount payable for the stipulated duties under Australian law.

[Aussie Bob]

Not much eh?

Nope Leafie, not that much at all. A very sad reflection on our industry. Thanks for posting, but no thanks for the job, the salary is simply not enough even if the flying and lifestyle are tops. As for having to deal with casa as a CP, doubling the wage simply wouldn't be enough.

[Wunwing]

The patrol Cessna has been doing runs south of Albion Park for the last few days so are they back in "business"

Wunwing

[Cessna Jockey]

The Illawarra’s iconic red and yellow shark-spotting planes were back in the sky on Saturday following a brief hiatus caused by internal turbulence.
The Australian Aerial Patrol (AAP) was grounded last month after the resignation of its chief pilot left the service without the operating licence required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).


The Mercury can reveal a new chief pilot has been appointed and patrols over the region’s beaches were able to resume on Saturday morning.

“We got CASA’s authorisation late yesterday afternoon [Friday],” general manager Harry Mitchell said.


After about a month out of action, the planes will be a feature of the sky over the region’s coastline on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until April 25.



Mr Mitchell said CASA had “bent over backwards” to prioritise the two-day chief pilot assessment because the regulatory body was aware of “the community angst down here”.



“We’ve worked very hard to get the aerial patrol planes back up,” he said.
“Our commitment to the community is paramount.”
Mr Mitchell described the aerial patrol’s hiatus as a “small interruption”, adding the service had conducted more patrols during the summer 2015/16 season than any previous year.


The chief pilot is yet to undergo a chief flying instructor assessment, but Mr Mitchell said that was expected to take place “in the next couple of weeks”.



The AAP’s descent into an uncertain future began when the organisation’s bank accounts were frozen on March 4.

Two days later, then chief pilot Warren Gengos brought forward his retirement, offering just five hours notice of his resignation.

The bank accounts were reactivated within days and the funds shifted to another bank.



Late last month, Bendigo Bank – the patrol’s then naming rights sponsor – ended its sponsorship deal, which had spanned more than a decade.
The Mercury understands a new sponsorship deal could be announced as early as next week.

SOURCE: Aerial patrol flies again | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3839637/aerial-patrol-flies-again/?cs=300)

Thank god the beaches are safe once again.......for a 2 minute flyby with Dad's Army (provided they're wearing their glasses). A month out of action will really put a dent in their inflated shark sighting figures.

In 2013, 2,209 people died from skin cancer in Australia, 1,617 from melanoma and 592 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancers.
- Skin cancer - Cancer Council Australia (http://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html)

In 2013, 2 people died from shark attacks in Australia
- https://taronga.org.au/conservation/conservation-science-research/australian-shark-attack-file/annual-australian-shark-0


:ugh:

[Horatio Leafblower]

In 2013, 2 people died from shark attacks in Australia

...the patrols are obviously highly effective then! :E

[50 50]

The Aerial Patrol conducted more flight in 2015/16 in response to being outed by their former marketing manager in a blanket email, revealing that a mere $14,000 was spent on patrols in the 2013/14 season. Given that Harry publicly claims it costs $500,000 a year to run the service it does not seem like value for money.
I wonder where the $18,000 donated by MP's Gareth Ward and Anna Watson, to repaint the hanger, ended up, because the hanger is still the same poo green colour.

https://annawatson.com.au/media/media-2015/18000-boost-for-local-aerial-patrol/

[Tinstaafl]

I still remember the stickers that appeared all over BAe/Ansett's Tamworth college when a course finished:

--------------------------------------------------
What do you call a man with a rabbit up his arse?

<name of the course responsible>
--------------------------------------------------


(I was given one by one of the course members. It's followed me around the world and lives on my fridge here in Orlando, FL)

[tipsy2]

Jeez Tinny, don't remind me.

Tipsy:{

[Cessna Jockey]

what are you talking about 5050, they did paint the hanger?

They painted over the lost sponsorship logo of Bendigo Bank.

[Tinstaafl]

Tipsy, do you recall the brouhaha when it was discovered that there wasn't a CP appointed? It certainly caused some consternation at the time! I was told that WG was the CAA/CASA person who originally did the organisation's approvals. Oops.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Rumour has it that 4 Corners is all over it....?

[tipsy2]

Tipsy, do you recall the brouhaha when it was discovered that there wasn't a CP appointed? It certainly caused some consternation at the time! I was told that WG was the CAA/CASA person who originally did the organisation's approvals. Oops.
Yes he did, I read the paperwork that related in the little office above Op's. The required "job requirements" were written by him when he was Safety Regs Mngr (NSW Region) in the early 90's. Coincidently he happened to have the exact qualifications and was subsequently appointed. Must have been a a coincidence surely.

Tipsy

[Tinstaafl]

Of course it was.

Still boggles my mind that the place was approved - and for some years operated (!) - without anyone noticing the missing, required position. I'd been a CFI/CP a couple of times prior to working there so even I knew about that requirement.

So much for CAA/CASA oversight, and the organisation meeting the very specific regulatory requirement for approved personnel with the necessary knowledge & experience.

[aviationissocool]

7:30 Report from my understanding Haratio

[AusAv8or]

For those interested, story on the Australian Aerial Patrol goes to air tonight at 7:30PM on the ABC. Features interviews with former employees regarding conduct of the organisation - get the popcorn ready!:E

[aviationissocool]

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-27/shark-patrol-charity-under-investigation-over-alleged-fraud/7364360

[Cloudee]

Shark patrol charity Australian Aerial Patrol under investigation over alleged fraud - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-27/shark-patrol-charity-under-investigation-over-alleged-fraud/7364360)

[50 50]

I hope he finds my money when he "lifts the roof off". Crime commission and journalists knocking, things are getting serious for Harry. I wonder if "I don't know where the money went" will be acceptable as defence. The General Manager of any organisation is ultimately responsible. Those traffic reports that were paid for and not conducted don't look good. What was it? $127,000, straight in Harry's pocket.

[AusAv8or]

For those who missed it last night, you can see him sweating here:

7.30 - 27/4/2016 : ABC iview (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/7-30/NC1605H083S00)

The sharks are circling.........

[Duck Pilot]

Anything to do with the Merlin getting seized at WOL a few years back for allegedly being involved in unlawful activities?

[Horatio Leafblower]

Duck - no - that was Middle East organised crime related.

.....not directly attributable to Harry at any rate ;-)

[aviationissocool]

Some more details in this report:

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3877604/aerial-patrol-under-investigation-report-lays-finances-bare/?cs=298

Could be an interesting front page on the Illawarra Mercury tomorrow morning.

[Cessna Jockey]

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3879432/ive-got-nothing-to-hide-harry-mitchell-insists/?cs=298

It seems even after a public media shaming he's refusing to step down from his role as general manager. How delusional is this guy?

I sincerely hope the remaining pilots come to their senses and walk away from this crook - given the organisation won't see a single cent more of donations I doubt it'll make it through the month. The sooner it collapses, the sooner someone can start up a decent flying school.

[50 50]

The forensic accountant says Harry was paid $331.54 a week for work he didn't do. Harry says, "No it's only $200 a week and it's board approved, you're wrong". The board that consists of Harry's hand picked mates, that he's the President of, approved giving him money? You're kidding!

Well, they used to be mates anyway.

[AusAv8or]

Wollongong City Council has known of “difficulties” within the region's aerial patrol for about six months and has withheld its latest payment to the service, according to Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.
Wollongong was due to provide payments totaling $25,432 as a subsidy for the shark patrols for 2015/16, a spokesman said.
Council made the first payment in September.
However Cr Bradbery said the second half of the money - which was due in April - was not paid due to concerns over the recent resignation of the patrol's chief pilot and the "accusations that it was having some difficulties".
Despite these issues, Cr Bradbery said he believed the aerial patrol had "delivered on the expectations [of the council] up until recent times".
"The service that they offered was something that was very important for the safety and wellbeing of our swimmers," he said.
"We were one of the first to have anything like a shark patrol, and having this service coordinating with our lifeguards, this was a really significant contribution to the safety on our beaches in Wollongong."
Cr Bradbery said he did not know if there had been any assessment of how effective the aerial patrols had been, except to say that shark attacks had remained low.
He also noted the $25,000 contribution made up "a tiny fraction" of Wollongong council's $12 million aquatic services budget and $5 million lifeguard services budgets.
"This is relatively speaking, a small amount in the great scheme of things," he said.
He said the council would need to look at how it would patrol the beaches before the start of the next peak season.
Shellharbour council gave the aerial patrol $16,588 in 2015/16 and Kiama council provided its annual funding of $2500 in November 2015.

Asked in late March whether the council intended to renew its agreement, a Shellharbour spokeswoman said a meeting “was being sought with the operators of the aerial patrol about its future operations”.

Cr Bradbery said charities and community groups should exercise "good governance and transparency".
"I'm just disappointed that the trust of the community has been violated and let down," he said.

- Wollongong council pulls aerial shark patrol funds | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3880540/wollongong-council-pulls-aerial-shark-patrol-funds/?cs=300)


I hope Harry isn't planning on any home renovations this season :=

[50 50]

Didn't they sell their chieftain recently. Surely the cash from that even to retire debt would have been positive for their business.

WG has been going to retire for sometime, is there a fishing line in the back of his car?????

All the dealings I've had with HM have been reasonable and business like, so what's your problem 50/50.

Like all small GA business it's tough out there and the Aerial Patrol are no different.

Are there any other small GA businesses out there that receive $500k annual funding? Imagine what a difference that would make. If you can't keep yourself going with that sort of coin you shouldn't be in business at all.

I think all the news articles adequately illustrate what my problem is. If it was money missing from a cancer charity you wouldn't be so forgiving.

[AusAv8or]

The state’s consumer watchdog is investigating the region’s troubled aerial patrol but has so far resisted calls to appoint an administrator.



Patrol insiders contacted the department in December, alleging funds intended for the region’s charitable shark-spotting service had been misappropriated.


The group – treasurer John Weston, vice-president Mike Galliano and board adviser Graham Pike – provided a forensic accountant’s report in a bid to prove wrongdoing, and asked that an administrator be appointed.



Mr Pike claims the board was “completely blindsided” by patrol president and general manager, Harry Mitchell.


“Fair Trading has a legal obligation to clean up organisations like AAP, and certainly to protect donors’ money,” Mr Pike said.


“An administrator can help us sort out some of the administrative and financial problems.”


Mr Mitchell denies the claims against him. He told the Mercury the patrol’s finances were the responsibility of its treasurer.



“In any organisation the treasurer has responsibility to ensure those processes are adhered to and followed through – anything to do with financial records and activities and statements of accounts.”


A NSW Fair Trading spokeswoman confirmed the department had reviewed allegations of “internal governance issues, misappropriation of funds and pecuniary gain by Mr Harry Mitchell”.


“However the [forensic accounting] report very clearly states that the documentation on which the forensic report is based is incomplete”.
“Fair Trading requested various documentation from the association and its auditor to determine whether there is any evidence of breaches of the Act.”



“Fair Trading’s detailed review indicated significant internal governance and control issues, including an apparent lack of review of the association’s affairs by the previous committees.


“Fair Trading does not have the authority to deal with matters of internal governance which are largely governed by the association’s constitution. The Committee collectively is responsible for the ... internal governance of the association’s affairs.”



“This includes the employment of staff and contracts entered into as well as contractual performance issues.


“Fair Trading is continuing to make inquiries about the association’s compliance with the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 in order to determine whether any enforcement action is required. However based on the documentation currently available, Fair Trading cannot be satisfied that grounds exist for it to appoint an administrator.”

- Fair Trading holds off on aerial strike | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3882869/fair-trading-holds-off-on-aerial-strike/?cs=300)

[AusAv8or]

The tax man is moving to wind up NSW Air - the commercial arm of the Illawarra’s charitable Australian Aerial Patrol – over a $115,678 debt.
In documents lodged with the Federal Court of Australia earlier this month, the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation asks that the Albion Park-based pilot school and charter flight company be wound up in insolvency.

The matter will have its first airing in the Federal Court next week.
The deputy commissioner will ask the court to appoint a liquidator – BRI Ferrier director Geoffrey Granger – and will seek an order that costs of the liquidation process are paid out of NSW Air’s assets.
NSW Air was given 21 days to clear its tax debt in a March 14 notice.
The debt includes a $4336 superannuation guarantee charge, for the April 2015 quarter.
Australian Aerial Patrol general manager Harry Mitchell is NSW Air’s sole director. The patrol’s financials and their handling by Mr Mitchell in particular were scrutinised late last year by Ian Fargher, a University of Wollongong lecturer in forensic accounting investigation and former Assistant Commissioner of Taxation.

In a report commissioned by patrol board members, Mr Fargher detailed alleged corporate wrongdoing. Mr Mitchell has denied these allegations.

He questioned the structure of the business and charity and found management of the patrol’s finances was “confused with multiple bank accounts, many inter-entity transfers, ad-hoc personal loans, poor and in consistent notations leading to confusion as to business, charity and personal money”.
Mr Fargher found NSW Air Pty Ltd and Aero V – the patrol’s maintenance and repair arm - owed $142,521 and $47,501 to the Australian Taxation Office respectively.

He attempted to trace the dispersal of $750,000 received by the patrol as part-payment for NSW Air and Aero V.

The money came from pilot Bernhard Stevermuer. Police later charged Mr Stevermuer and deemed his deposit part of huge profits from a drug trafficking syndicate run by his associates.
There is no suggestion Mr Mitchell knew anything about the drug syndicate.
The patrol’s finances have piqued the interest of the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, Lake Illawarra police,the NSW Crime Commission and the Department of Fair Trading. The taxation matter goes to court June 8.
Taxman taps NSW Air | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3942076/taxman-taps-nsw-air/?cs=300)

There's only one thing scarier than a shark - the taxman!

ZvCI-gNK_y4

[Aussie Bob]

Extraordinary ... While most Australian businesses do all in their power to avoid paying unnecessary tax, it is an old maxim that if you are not paying tax, you are not earning money. If this business indeed owes $115678 in tax it must have been one of the most viable general aviation businesses in Australia :hmm:

Unless of course, they didn't hand over the payroll tax collected from their employees ...

[AusAv8or]

Hilarious Bob but don't be silly, that would require paying an employee by the award!

[50 50]

Depends on how long it's been going on. Every single invoice says inc. GST, so there is at least $6000 from me alone. Fail to hand it over for 20 or so students and $100k is reached pretty quickly.
Not Harry's fault of course, he's only the sole director and General Manager, why should he be accountable for any money issues? He's great at business, his rental properties are immaculately maintained, frequently stimulates the Hawaiian economy with his holiday spending........if only he'd use his own money.

[rugyro]

back in the late 90's and right upto 2002 Harry Mitchell and Brad Kenyon were involved in various Raffles (eg Harley Davidson Raffle etc) where they were raising substancial sums of money with a promise to provide the Illawarra with a permenant Rescue Helicopter. In fact in early 2002 I attended a meeting with these two men who were offerred at that time a fully operation rescue helicopter for a minimum of 12 months with a view to them setting up a community based method of funding it. However they declined the offer insisting that they were on track to purchasing their own helicopter by October that year !

I never saw a helicopter service.... so what happened to the money raised ??

[Pawnstar]

Seems Nsw air and aap are moving out wonder why?

[Cessna Jockey]

Aerial Patrol to miss clubs? cash | Illawarra Mercury (http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4018184/aerial-patrol-to-miss-clubs-cash/?cs=300)

At what point do the board ask themselves if this man still has the ability to perform the job of GM? Surely after missing the above date they must be asking questions? Or perhaps they are just realistic and know they would never get any funding anyway after recent events

[aviationissocool]

old HM just keeps on. How does he do it?

[topdrop]

Illawarra's troubled shark spotting Aerial Patrol stripped of charity status - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/aerial-patrol-charity-acnc-police-crime/9022002)

[50 50]

Illawarra's troubled shark spotting Aerial Patrol stripped of charity status - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-06/aerial-patrol-charity-acnc-police-crime/9022002)

The patrols new President, Darryl Schlodder as reported, is the same imbecile that used to sit in his office in Sydney and cancel all patrols "Due to the visibility". Perhaps if he'd wiped the inside of his glasses he would have seen the clear blue skies. I think he figured out no flying meant no fuel costs.

So with no aircraft, no hanger, no funding, and now no charity status, what the hell are you president of? Old man jerk circle? Give it up fellas, you're embarrassing yourselves.