13 July 2012

“Red Boots” is not the superstitious type.  She has never seen a ghost or experienced apparitions but the “Boots’” grandmother was obsessed with reading tea cups – in the days when they had real tea leaves in them.  She would see all sorts of things and no, before we start on this, she didn’t drink anything, except a tipple or two on Christmas day, and that too was an “experience” in itself. 
 
However, I clearly recall her telling me one day that we were about to meet a very great leader – at the age of eight and being extremely skeptical, I remember saying “yeah right.” About six months later New Zealand’s Governor General of the day and his entourage walked in.  On a farm, this stuck way up the back of a metal track on the Kaimais.
 
Every day since then I’ve religiously read the cups…so here’s what the “cups” have being predicting this week:

• There will be an AGM on 09 August 2012 click here and here
• Our President, John Jones, will step down
• There will be a new President at approximately click here 1800 on 9 August 2012 and a new vice President click here
• We will have a permanent Governance Board click here
• There will be an Industry elected Safety Advisory Committee click here and here
• Two people, who register by 20 July click here will receive a Toshiba iPAD each
• Two companies will also win an AIRCARE™ audit, valued up to $2K, just for being at Conference

 
And most importantly, the Rotorua Conference will be the most memorable event on New Zealand’s aviation calendar this year ….so be there click here.
 
The programmes are now in great shape click here with a few more tweaks to come.  The line up is impressive, with the following speakers confirming this week:

• Bruce Wills - President of Federated Farmers
• Dr Arthur Pape – “Recent developments on Colour Vision Deficiency”
• Brian Fletcher – “Helicopter Accidents – Why”
• John Marshall – Chairman of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.  We anticipate the release of the TAIC inquiry into flight training
• Dr McDowall – “From Yellow Cake in Africa to Agent Orange in Vietnam”
• Ewan Wilson – “Kiwi Entrepreneurship – Going for Growth”
• Samantha Sharif – GM CANSO “Global Growth”
• Joy Cooper – NASO Contract 2013 and Beyond
• John Tidswell - Latest testing standards and procedures for drugs and alcohol
• Hon Tim Grosser – the Growth Agenda

     
With over 100 speakers, plus the largest trade display in the aviation space in New Zealand, Rotorua is the place to be from 4-10 August.
 
Don’t forget we’ve got training going on before conference – for those who have done the other two risk and safety management papers, the new operational risk management paper has been added click here. Chem reval and Noise training will also be taking place click here
 
“Red boots” has an example of the power of good risk management practice. Earlier this year, in partnership with Airbus, we ran our 4^th South Pacific SMS symposium – attendance was light but the quality of analysis led by Geraint Bermingham of Navigatus Consulting, was superb.  As a direct result of this programme, and a briefing session lead by Pacific Blue, the RAs (collision alerts), which were a major issue around Queenstown airport, have dropped to virtually zero – this is big bucks for everyone concerned and critical for those using RNP technology.  Another major problem identified was the GA taxiway to hangers. This has now being modified to reduce the number of hazards.  So good on you QMUG. A big thank you to those members of the GA community who worked with us on this issue.
 
Airbus Industries have been a major and consistent supporter of our South Pacific SMS symposium, and now we can announce Eurocopter as the Diamond sponsor for the Aviation week dinner being held this year at the Skyline restaurant.  HNZ are sponsoring the drinks that night as a GOLD sponsor, so you could say that the “rotorheads” are taking over for the night. We’ve go some pretty interesting speakers potentially lined up for the night as well but more on that next week when they are confirmed.
 
We still have sponsorship slots available click here – if you know of anyone who might be interested, can you please speak to either Bob or myself.  We have proposals with a number of organisations and are just waiting on confirmations.  Sponsorship helps us keep delegate conference prices low – as we said last week, the cost to delegates is the same as we charged in 2003/04.
 
Confirmed also this week: Aviation Labour Group as a Bronze Sponsor.
 
A very big thank you to all our sponsors   
 
 And so, back to the business as usual stuff – you need to be aware of the following:

• Airways major ADS-B technology update 26 July, CHC
• Metservice will be announcing a customer meeting with GA to address outstanding issues but not including funding as this is government policy issue
• AC-61-3 PPL changes close date is now the end of August
• SMS – AC end of July
• Standards review – 31 July. If you’ve had a tangle with NZL Standards, here’s your opportunity to comment
• Skills shortage review – closing submissions today. This impacts on Flight Training and Engineering.  Have your say and support AIA 
• Trade mission/delegation to OSHKOSH lead by Minister Williamson plus 11 NZ companies
• International Airshow and careers/trade expo during Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2013…..watch this space!!!!!
• Pricing for the Black Boeing charter to Las Vegas will be ready before Conference week at Rotorua.

 
With today being Friday the 13^th, the “red boots” is off to consult the tea cups and buy a lotto ticket.  My prediction is that those coming to Rotorua will have an excellent time.  The “boots” and team will be there – much more likely than winning lotto!!!!!!

 

Until we speak again take care and stay risk aware Red boots

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