Royal Newcastle Aero Club suspends operations
 

News out of Maitland this weekend that the CFI at RNAC has resigned due to differences in direction with the board. A director's meeting last night stated that it would take 4-6 months to get going again, so as of last night all the Instructors have resigned also.

Very sad to see a once proud institution come to this - I have watched the (now ex-) CFI and his team build that flying school into something very impressive with a constant stream of graduates at RPL and PPL level (and CPL for all I know).
Well done Phil and best of luck for the future.

In the bigger picture, you would have to worry about the future of the airfield.

It's all a terrible shame.

Bugga, I did my PPL with Jack the Black and Stan Hone there back in the 60s. It was a ripper spot then - no idea what the story is at the moment but can only hope that they collectively get their stuff in a pile and get it back on track.

One wonders why it would take 6 months to sort the bits out ?

How long do you think it will take CASA to approve a "major amendment" to a Part 141 Operations Manual/Exposition?

How sad.
"Back in the day", the DCA Director General was the very active patron of RNAC, I wonder if the current CASA "senior" management "team" even know where Rutherford is??
I would love to know the full story.
Tootle pip!!

Because key personnel are in very short supply. Because Boards that hire key personnel cannot get their head around the responsibilities attached to the position and offer remuneration that could be earned cleaning toilets.

Ask glenb about these 'arrangements' It would be a brave organisation that would enter into such an arrangement in this climate.

​​​​​​​Don't hold ya breath Squawk.

For a change of key personnel...no time at all. If the organization has a process in place for appointment of key personnel CASA needs to be notified within:

• 7 days of the change occurring (for previously approved deputies named in the Ops manual)
• 3 days of the change occurring (for people not previously named as deputy)

A more likely scenario is the they do not have a process in place (and are therefore reliant on CASA assessment) or that they do not have any instructors up to the task on staff and expect the recruitment process to take that long.

Progressive.............yeah, nah.

Yeah nah?
 

Which part, the direct requirements from part 141 I quoted or the 10+ organisation I personally know of that have the procedure and use it?

Would CASA even approve a 141 without suitable alternate personnel being named in each position to prevent something like this happening?

Yes. That is a business risk not a safety risk. Many operators have enough trouble finding one suitable person for the role.

Royal Aero Club of WA still going strong

Royal Aero Club of WA is still going.

I don't know anything about this particular situation, but the whole thing of having committees full of amateurs who want cheap flying for themselves interfering with the running of the flying school is something I have seen over and over again. In the past I have managed aircraft on behalf of clubs, even with a very clear contract it has always ended with them telling me how to run my business, even "white anting" my own clients right under my nose. It only takes one rotten apple and every committee has one.

Might be easier just to pay tax like the rest of us.

Yes they do, I have no alternate people but it means that when I am "absent" not even the Grade 1s can work. The definition of "absent" isn't as clear as I would like it to be.

I believe this is different for a 142, perhaps someone else can clarify.

And it all began in August 1928...…Can they make 'the ton'..?

Where it all began ? The First Aircraft - Royal Newcastle Aero Club

Australia's first 'Aero Club'?

Used to fly into RNAC West Maitland from BK quite regularly in 'de good ole days' of the early / mid 60's - hour building etc for CPL, just 'for a cup of coffee', usually on a 'shared' basis.
The hospitality was always GREAT, and the number of flies in the cabin on departure ensured that should the engine fail on T/O....no problem....

Good Luck RNAC - you deserve it !!

Cheers

Not much has changed with the Hospitality Griffo, was always a delight to stop in at Maitland and have a yarn with Phil and his crew in recent years. RNAC had themselves a golden goose there with him and the way it was run and somehow they've still managed to kill it, bloody shame but going to be a gift to someone who offers to take them on for what they deserve. Wish them the best of luck and hope they're all gainfully employed very shortly which I'm sure they will be!

They could, but I don't think anyone is suggesting that's the case here.
CASA's bureaucratic systems are so onerous that even CASA can't maintain them. The amount of bull**** paperwork that accompanies every regulatory function is mind blowing, and of course the (shrinking) Industry now has to fund this.

I was fortunate enough to have a meeting with Barnaby (local member) about this and his advice was "you know what boys? If it's too hard, my advice as a small country accountant is just walk away and have a nice life doing something else"

Where would small country towns be if we all took that advice?

The whole point of the meeting, St Barnabas, is that IT DOESN'T BLOODY NEED TO BE THIS BLOODY HARD.