16 May

CEO Update

Dear Colleagues,

We have had quite a lot of attention from Australia over the last week. The Australian aviation safety regulatory environment, in particular, CASA, is being reformed and NZ is being held up in many quarters as the best practice model for Australia to follow. I was pretty surprised to hear CASA’s relationship with industry described as toxic. The review is in its final stages, with a recommendation to the Minister expected this month

We certainly seem to have a much more constructive and collaborative relationship with our CAA, and that’s a good thing for everyone. Here at Av NZ we are driving hard to increase that level of collaboration right across government, including a very successful whole of government meeting with industry in Christchurch this week see below.

The RPAS industry is growing exponentially and we are working hard to help lead the NZ policy and operational framework on RPAS ops. Not before time see below

On the subject of success, the annual NZ SAR awards were awarded this week, with the aviation industry well-represented as an integral part of many rescue missions. Well done to all of those who give so much of their time to saving the life of others see below.

This week our thoughts are with Tom Riddell, a well-known and respected former Executive Director of the Aviation Industry Association, whose wife Anne passed away recently.

Finally, I am off to Queenstown this weekend (for work rather than pleasure!). We are looking to hold a combined annual conference next year with the Australian Agricultural Aviation Association. The Aussies love ZQN (and why wouldn’t you!), so that’s where we are looking to hold it.

Happy travels

Index

Aviation Leadership Summit 2014
Leadership Summit App
Structural Fatigue Management courses to be run in Wellington
Pratt & Whitney Canada - PT6 Customer day
Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems New
Council and Divisional Meetings Updated
NZ Search and Rescue Awards New
Christchurch Activities New
Business Beyond Barriers: India New
AHAI Conference, 24-25 May 2014
RAAA Conference 8-10 October 2014
Part 125 Amendments Proposed

Aviation Leadership Summit 2014

We are delighted to release the Programme for the Summit here. This annual event is hosted by Aviation NZ as part of our mission to lead, inspire, and grow the New Zealand aviation industry, both domestically and offshore.

The Summit is a by industry and for industry event. We aim to bring you a programme that is insightful, relevant, and engaging. At the same time our aim is to manage costs and overall resource requirements, so that we can offer industry a truly inspiring and cost-effective flagship industry event.

Our first Aviation Leadership Summit will be held at Westpac Stadium in Wellington 20-22 July 2014. We will have EXCLUSIVE use of the Westpac Function Centre and we have a BRAND NEW venue for our Welcome Reception, opened by the Prime Minister recently. Westpac Stadium is New Zealand’s premier multipurpose stadium and has hosted many world sporting and entertainment events.

The Summit replaces Napier Conference Week.

Celebrating 100 years of aviation – The Future. This is the theme of our Summit. We will celebrate what aviation has achieved over the last 100 years and look forward to what the next century will bring, operationally, technologically, economically and politically.

Registration is NOW OPEN for exhibitors and delegates. Exhibition stands are selling quickly. We expect up to 300 people expected to attend the trade show each day and we will be ensuring active engagement between delegates and trade exhibitors. More about this soon!

Early bird pricing has been extended to 16 May, so be in quick.

Sponsors: Our new sponsorship packages are available here. A number of sponsors have already reserved packages, so contact us soon regarding remaining opportunities.

Accommodation: Our preferred hotels are Rydges Wellington and the IBIS Hotel Wellington. We have negotiated excellent discounts on rooms and breakfast for Summit attendees. Special rates apply for 20-23 July and rooms are limited, so please book as soon as possible.

Rydges:Room only $175 + breakfast $23 (includes GST). FREE Wifi. Reserve your room here: http://www.rydges.com/customised-web-page/aviation-leadership-summit

IBIS Hotel: Room only $139 + breakfast $18 (includes GST). Please book directly with the hotel using the booking code AVIATION200717 to email or call the hotel 04 496 1880

Both hotels are located in central Wellington on Featherston St, close to the Westpac Stadium and close to each other. We will also be arranging transport to Westpac Stadium for each day of the Summit and related events.

Leadership Summit App

For this year’s Summit, and recognising the number of smartphone users who will be there, the programme, details of exhibitors and the very important sponsors will be on an app which you can all download.

You’ll be able to keep up to date with happenings at the Summit, and see where you are supposed to be at any point in time (during work hours that is!).
Advert Media is putting this app together. Details of what is available and how to be included in the app are here.

Structural Fatigue Management Courses to be run in Wellington in July alongside the Leadership Summit

Sam Kantimathi from Fatigue Concepts in the United States, will be in New Zealand again in July to deliver two courses. Both will be delivered at Westpac Stadium, the venue for the Leadership Summit. The courses are:

Composite Aircraft Structures, 21 and 22 July
Aging Aircraft, 23 and 24 July

More detail is attached. Companies interested in attending should contact Sam Kanthimathi direct. Be aware that it won’t be possible for the same company reps to attend the Leadership Summit and Fatigue Management courses. You might look at delegating attendance at Fatigue Management to others.

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6 Customer Day 23 July

P&WC are proposing to run a PT6A Customer Training Seminar for pilots and engineers on 23 July at Westpac Stadium Wellington. This will allow people attending the Aviation Leadership Summit to stay on for the Seminar.

The seminar will provide an exchange of information on the PT6A engines in Agricultural operation presented by P&WC PT6A Customer Engineer from Montreal. This will include a technical update and forum as well as best practices for maintaining and operating PT6A engines in the Agricultural environment.

To register interest in attending or for any queries please contact stephan.Heep@pwc.ca

Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems New

The near-collision between a drone and a commercial jet over Florida has renewed concerns over air safety once unmanned aircraft gain regulatory approval for commercial use. Market-watchers say agriculture will likely be one of the biggest initial markets for the technology as farmers plan to use drones to monitor crops and spray pesticides.

Council and Divisional Meetings Updated

At this week’s Council meeting, the most important agenda item was the appointment of Av NZ Board members, as some of the Board member terms expire in July. That prompted a discussion on the need to improve communication links between the Board and Council, particularly relating to grassroots membership issues.

The Council reviewed the Summit programme and it is looking very promising with a good financial result forecast.

There is great momentum in Divisions, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of Divisional Chairs and Executive.

NZAAA’s focus is to continue on the successful path it has been on for the last 17 years: assuring sustainability by promoting best practice in environmental responsibilities, safe flight and decent profitability.

NZHA has re-endorsed the AIRCARE Programme and is determined to use it to get benefits for members - especially in respect of reduced CAA surveillance. We are shortly to publish the first NZHA Safety Bulletin which has been developed in conjunction with CAA.

Training Division has developed great momentum over the last 8 months, with really strong engagement and over 20 members at the T&D Committee meeting. T&D’s key goals and workplan are being finalised, with a strong focus on international opportunities.

Logistics Division scheduled to meet 27 May in Wellington.

Next Council and Divisional meetings will be held 9-10 September in Ohakea.

Thanks to all for your participation and support.

NZ Search and Rescue Awards New

The New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Council has established an annual national award programme to acknowledge worthy achievements in the field of search and rescue in the New Zealand Search and Rescue Region. The NZSAR Awards are intended to give formal and public recognition to those involved in SAR in New Zealand. They also raise community awareness about the efforts of volunteers and paid personnel in the SAR sector and celebrate their success. The NZSAR Awards are judged by the NZSAR Council, and presented at an annual NZSAR Awards ceremony at Parliament. The Booklet is here

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Christchurch Activities New

The Whole of Government Aviation Group was in Christchurch on Wednesday and visited the International Aviation Academy, Altitude Aerospace Interiors, Christchurch Engine Centre, US Antarctic Programme and Airways NZ. This follows visits the group has made to Ardmore Airport, Top of the South and Hamilton to get a better understanding of what is happening in the aviation sector. Further visits are planned.

The Training and Development Division met in Christchurch at the IAA on Wednesday. We were very pleased with the attendance and particularly pleased to see Mainland Aviation at the meeting. The division has agreed to develop a risk profile for the pilot training sector and to progress developing a good understanding of the metrics around the sector – the supply of pilots, demand for pilots and what impacts on this including the planned developments in the agricultural and tourism sectors as well as plans for future offshore oil and gas work. The metrics work is being done with Ministry of Education and TEC. The division’s meeting concluded with a visit to Airways NZ.

We also took advantage of the Whole of Government Group and Training and Development Division being in Christchurch to have a small networking function for them and a few Cantabrian aviation champions. Great attendance and conversations and a big thanks to Airways NZ for hosting this function. We understand some participants continued networking in other venues after the function.

Business Beyond barriers: India New

The India New Zealand Business Council is holding a Tourism and Aviation event at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland, from 5.30 to 7.30pm on Monday 18 May. Speakers include Hon Todd McLay, Associate Minister of Tourism, Richard White (NZTE Delhi), Paul Linton (Airways NZ), Edwin Chiang, GM-New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Neha Bhola, General Manager for India, Tourism New Zealand. The Business Council is also hosting a breakfast meeting with the new High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton in the Air New Zealand building on Fanshawe Street on Friday 23 May. More info

AHIA Conference, 24-25 May 2014

The Australian Helicopter Association is holding its national convention, Rotortech 2014 later this month. The AHIA was formed in 2012 and represents the Australian helicopter industry. Av NZ CEO will be speaking at this event. The Aus HIA is keen to hear about our history, function, achievements and major issues with regard to helicopter operations, and in particular, our successes in working collaboratively with CAA. The HIA President has attended our NZ Annual Conference for the last 20 years and will also be coming to the Aviation Leadership Summit in July. More info on the HIA event is here

RAAA Conference, 8 - 10 October 2014

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia is holding its national convention ‘A New Horizon’ in the Hunter Valley. The RAAA is the only organisation representing all sectors associated with Regional Aviation across Australia and therefore, plays a significant role in the aviation industry. The National Convention is highly regarded as a premier annual aviation event. Av NZ CEO will be speaking at this event. We also expect good representation from the RAAA executive at our Leadership Summit in July. More info on the RAAA event is here

Part 125 Amendments Proposed

One of our members has commented as follows:
CAA have proposed changes to Part 125 (consequential to part 139) that would require ALL Part 125 aircraft to only operate from a Level 1 or 2 Certified aerodrome.
This would mean that charters and flight seeing type operations in Part 125 aircraft such as Cessna C208, Otters, Nomads and the like would be prevented from carrying out their business. This would impact on smaller regional areas and tourism in particular.

As the NPRM is published under Part 139, aerodromes, I strongly suspect that many Part 125 operators are unaware of what CAA are proposing. Please contact CAA directly to discuss further.