SAFA Skysailor Magazine

5 July | August 2021 SKY SAILOR on behalf of all members I want to sincerely thank them for their work. One significant improve- ment relates to a new Operations Manual which is in the final approval stage. It will go from 118 pages to 35. Much ‘clutter’ has been removed and two new manuals, the Qualifications and Training Manual and the Maintenance and Stan- dards Manual have been produced which will afford members much greater convenience when seeking guidance on these aspects of their SAFA membership. The role of our Clubs To better understand the very important role that Clubs play, it’s necessary to understand the aviation regulatory environment in Australia as it currently applies, i.e. before the successful transition to Part 149 as outlined above. An act of Federal Parliament established CASA as Austra- lia’s aviation regulator – it has the power to make regulations and enforce compliance for all forms of aviation in Australia. In the case of SAFA and other similar groups, CASA allows us to manage our own flying activities, via a Deed of Agree- ment, subject to compliance with all regulations that apply to our disciplines. CASA satisfies itself that SAFA is meeting its obligations by conducting a formal audit every two years, and by mandating the requirement for SAFA to hold an Operations Manual approved by CASA. The Operations Manual contains the rules/regulations that all SAFA pilots are obligated to. CASA also engages in surveillance activities and conducts regular operational interactions with SAFA staff and Board members. Every time something in the Oper- ations Manual changes, SAFA must obtain CASA approval before publishing it. To participate in our forms of aviation in Australia, all pilots, without exception, are required to maintain member- ship of SAFA. For anyone who doesn’t, CASA can take legal action against individuals that may result in hefty fines and gaol terms. These arrangements allow all of us to do what we love, which is to fly. However, SAFA doesn’t have the resources to manage actual flying operations in every location across Aus- tralia. It therefore delegates its aviation authority, deeded to it by CASA, to affiliated Regional Associations and Clubs. A simple administrative process facilitates annual affiliation. Affiliated entities are required to ensure all flight opera- tions in their area of responsibility, meet the obligations contained in the SAFA Operations Manual, along with any other airspace usage requirements. The Operations Manual acknowledges the right of Clubs to make rules relating to flying in their areas of responsibility and requires that pilots comply with them. This can include the requirement that pilots take out and/or maintain membership of that club. Our flying requires sites for launching/landing. Sites are owned or managed by private owners, custodians such as Photo: Gavin Penfold, Bird’s Eye View local Councils, State Goverment agencies, or other bodies such as National Parks and Wildlife. No matter what the ownership arrangement, administering, managing, main- taining and securing new flying sites requires relationship management at a personal, grass roots level. From a landowner’s or manager’s perspective – or indeed that of other stakeholders such as CASA or Airservices Australia – they require efficient relationships and don’t want to be dealing with multiple users. Clubs act for their members and are a single point of contact for negotiation, discussion, feedback and relationship management. Clubs are grass roots, local bodies that, from a practical perspective, take care of everything locally that’s needed to enable members to fly. Funds raised through membership subscriptions may be spent in a variety of ways (e.g. lease/ permit applications, site improvements such as signage, maintenance costs, weather stations, accounting and audit fees, website and communication costs, and so on). Some clubs have been intent on saving to acquire assets that provide and/or improve facilities for members and/or generate further income for the benefit of members. Funds may also support such initiatives as Safety Officer First Aid courses and the purchase of site maintenance equipment. Some clubs are intent on land purchase options to reduce their reliance on landowners for their members’ rights to fly. Such strategies, along with the funding to facilitate them, are essential to secure a sustainable future for our flying. There is a significant amount of work that has to be done to secure permits and leases, liaising with local councils, government departments, Parks and Wildlife rangers and private landowners each year. Building relationships with Federal and State Government representatives and key industry stakeholders is also important. The work is done by volunteer committee members behind the scenes, who give a lot of their time and effort to make a difference for all members. In the next President’s Update I will provide further background and information on the need for us to continue working to build a sustainable future for our sport. Safe flying.