G
eneral aviation, perhaps more now
than ever, could use an avenue for
showing its exciting, enthralling
face to the public at large. With
participation rates down, costs
going the other way and crashes
on the TV news the only stories
that seep out of GA, our passion
needs some serious marketing.
Our main weapon should be air
shows. They are colourful, action-
packed and have an impact on
people that leaves them wide-eyed,
but the smattering of air shows
that dot the country can’t bear the
load; we need more of them, but
something seems to be holding
them back, and that something is
regulation.
CASA’s rules have a dampening
effect on air shows, either through
active restrictions on display
conditions, or simply by making
the approval process so hard that
potential organisers throw up
their hands in despair.
And CASA doesn’t apologise,
pointing consistently to the lack of
accidents at Australian air shows
as vindication of their attitudes.
That is lost on the paying public
that are forced to squint their
eyes to see black dots looping in
the distance, and it is also lost on
the pilots and the organisers who
understand that good, vibrant,
energetic air shows are not
incompatible with safety.
It’s a message they are having
trouble getting across to the box-
tickers from Aviation House,
whose impact on an air show both
before and during the event is
often cited as the largest reason
there aren’t more public f lying
displays in Australia.The hoops
The primary deterrent is the
constant frustration and heartache
volunteer organisers would need
to suffer under the relentless
CASA demands for informationand paperwork. It’s a burden that
no volunteer should be asked to
carry, and is responsible for several
air shows dissolving as those
willing to leap through burning
hoops can’t be found.
It takes serious commitment
to press ahead with doing what
CASA wants, which brings us to
the very question: just what do
they want?
“It depends on the size and
complexity of the event as to whatCASA will require in order to
assess and approve an air display,”
CASA told Australian Flying.
“For example, we may require
maps/diagrams clearly showing
the display axis, display areas,
aircraft parking, refuelling areas,
joy f light embarkation points,
spectator viewing areas, parachute
drop zones, helipads, location of
emergency services, location of
any built up areas, major roads or
houses in the display area, copyof permission from the airfield
owners, pilot display details
sheets, a risk assessment, and
an emergency management and
response plan.
“This list is not exhaustive,
but once again what is required
depends on the size, complexity
and location of the event.”
That CASA considers this list
“not exhaustive” speaks volumes
about what event organisers are up
against.australianflying.com.au 43
November – December 2017 AUSTRALIAN FLYINGMAIN IMAGE: CASA’s main
concern is always that the
crowd and the displays are
kept well apart.
LEFT: If an ag pilot doesn’t
have the experience to fly
low, fast and accurate, then
who does?
ABOVE: Mark Bright believes
that CASA needs to take into
account the skills of display
pilots, such as those needed
to safely demonstrate high-
powered warbirds.