the PRESIDENT’S VIEW // Captain Louise Pole

In the past year, the AFAP has attended many industry events and government meetings which have been heavily focussed on the future of aviation. Futuristic concepts of passenger carrying Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones, reduced crew operations, and Remote Towers have featured heavily in these forums. These concepts and expectations of the future follow previous programs and initiatives such as the Navigation Rationalisation Program which prematurely decommissioned many of our ground-based navigation aids.

While keeping a keen eye on the future is important, I cannot help but feel that much of the industry has lost sight of the present. Right here and right now we are losing many Australian pilots overseas, the Australian industry cannot attract (let alone train) sufficient pilots for the current demands, aircraft deliveries are falling behind and those which are on the production line are certainly not designed for reduced crew or single pilot jet Regular Public Transport operations.

Our air traffic control (ATC) system is also in a critical state of dysfunction. Recently the AFAP conducted a short survey of members regarding ATC delays once airborne. This survey revealed unprecedented instances of unnotified holding, Traffic Information Broadcasts by Aircraft (TIBA) and reduced flow. We have reported these alarming results to both the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the federal Minister for Transport, Hon Catherine King MP. A further survey of pilots operating in Australian airspace is underway to gather more detailed data that we can present to Government authorities.

The AFAP’s focus for the year ahead is on addressing the current issues plaguing our industry, not speculating on a distant future. This is not an easy task, but we are committed to rebuilding our industry and to making being a pilot an attractive and rewarding career.

In this edition of AIR PILOT we cover a broad range of topics. A number of enterprise agreements have been settled and I particularly commend the negotiating teams on finalising these agreements. I also wish to acknowledge and thank our pilot representatives and staff for the development of the diverse training programs that have been run for members in recent months. These include our growing AFAP Resilient Pilot Program, as well as Accident and Incident Training and Negotiation Training which were conducted in Sydney (and are planned for Perth in August).

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome Virgin pilot, Mick McGinnis to the position of Vice President (Membership) and I look forward to having him as a member of the Finance and Executive Committees.

Finally, I want to remind members that we are hosting the official opening of new Brisbane Office from 1700 to 1900 on 19 July 2023 to which all members are invited. This office was bought just prior to the outbreak of COVID19 and extensively renovated over the pandemic. I believe it will be a great asset for our membership and staff to use and enjoy for many years to come.

Yours sincerely,

Captain Louise Pole AFAP President