Welcome to the Last Minute Hitch from OzKosh! The show is just warming up as I write this from my corner of the exhibition hall. From where I sit I can see Dynon Avionics, Garmin, AvPlan, OzRunways, Mendelssohn Pilot Supplies, BendixKing, Punkin Head Air Sports, the Airsport Confederation of Australia and the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia. And there's lots more that I can't see from here. Outside there's Cirrus, Foxbat, Bristell, Tecnam and more colours than a finger-painting exhibition! At the Australian Flying stand we've got an OzKosh subscription special that includes a free LedLenser torch and we're selling cheap hats to keep the western plains sun off your head. Come and see us in the big tent!
There certainly was a reaction to our survey last week about attitudes to drones! It seems the general aviation community really isn't in tune with CASA's new regulations that came in on 30 September. Here's the major feedback from the readers:
- 37% aren't worried provided they are kept below 300 feet and five nm from any airport
- 32% said there shouldn't be any non-certified RPAs at all
- Only 12% didn't have a problem because they didn't think drones represented a threat
Comments left on the survey revealed that something needs to be done, ranging from "any drone represents a safety issue" and "a serious accident will occur if this is allowed to be passed" to "no amount of regulation will prevent misuse or contraventions." If you haven't vented your spleen over this yet, we'll leave the survey open for another week. Get on there and let us know.
Matt Hall's tilt at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship is over for 2016. His fourth place at Indianapolis plus Matthias Dolderer's great run in the final has put the title out of Hall's reach. Matt is second in the championship, just as he was last year, making him the most consistent pilot on the tour over the past two seasons. He's shown he's got the team, the plane, the skills and the ambition to match it with the world's best, and he'll be back next year as fired-up as ever. There's one race to go this year in Las Vegas, and although it's a dead rubber, you watch Hall go for it with the same energy as he has attacked every round this year.
Both AOPA and the SAAA met with CASA on Wednesday to discuss proposals to reform Class 2 medicals. As usual there are all sorts of anecdotes going around about how the meeting went, ranging from "it's a done deal!" to "it didn't go well." I'll repeat nothing here, but will track down someone who can give us the good oil straight up. Watch our website over the next couple of days.
News from Temora Aviation Museum this week is that Kenny Love is moving on. Kenny has been the Chief Executive Officer there since Adam was in nappies. Much of what the museum is today comes down to Kenny's drive and enthusiasm for the museum and its exhibits, flying or not. He has certainly pulled his weight for one of Australian aviation's great institutions. Furthermore, I know Kenny reads this blog, so thanks for all your efforts Kenny. Look back and be proud.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch