Australia's Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is doubtful that the country's general aviation industry will benefit from a new national aviation policy under development after seeing the aviation Green Paper.
The Australian government released in December the Green Paper - the second stage in the three-step process designed to result in an aviation White Paper in the second half of this year. This will be the first time the country has had a comprehensive national aviation policy.
AOPA had been hopeful that the country's struggling GA industry would receive assistance after the government folded the GA Action Agenda - a process designed to address the issues facing the industry - into the White Paper process. "We put a lot of effort into the Action Agenda, but it just seems it has been swept under the carpet," says AOPA president Col Rodgers. "I'm doubtful we'll get any assistance through the aviation policy," he says, adding that AOPA plans to shortly send a submission in response to the Green Paper.
In the Green Paper, the government says it recognises GA's difficulties, but "does not believe the industry will benefit by returning to outdated business models", including active government intervention such as direct funding, regulation of commercial arrangements at GA airports and subsidies for aircraft purchases. "A return to subsidies for this sector is not in the broader interests of the industry in improving its efficiency, performance and competitiveness," says the paper.
Instead, the government plans to help the GA industry by improving the responsiveness and oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, renewing focus on CASA's relationship with industry, and addressing planning arrangements at leased federal airports.
Canberra also plans to support continued work towards self-administration of private GA operations. It will also support the continued development of Australia's aircraft manufacturing and assembly, components, parts and maintenance capability by minimising regulatory impediments, and ensure there are no unnecessary regulatory impediments to realising the growth potential of the flight-training industry in Australia.
Source: Flight International
