REX - Regional Express

rexnews Regional aviation policy discussed at forum On 12 December 2012, Rex hosted The Australian Aviation Associations' Forum's (TAAAF) launch of forum aviation policies at head office in Baxter Road, Mascot, Sydney. The forum was held to launch aviation policies from the Australian aviation perspective and was attended by TAAAF members and the media. TAAAF is an alliance of peak aviation associations in Australia that cooperate to give the industry a coherent voice when presenting to government and regulators on key aviation issues and policies. The policies are set out in a comprehensive document and respond to a range of problems confronting the aviation sector, offering positive ways for government and industry to foster and promote aviation in Australia and strengthen regional communities. "Aviation plays a critical role in providing rural and regional Australians with access to services that metropolitan Australians are fortunate enough to be able to take for granted," TAAAF Chairman Chris Manning said. "The policies call for ongoing access for regional services to capital city airports, improvement of support for remote-area airports and the reintroduction of the Enroute Subsidy Scheme." The aviation skills shortage in Australia is also addressed in the document. "It has been decades since a single government agency took on the role of fostering and promoting aviation in Australia, and governance and regulatory arrangements remain at the heart of restraints on aviation jobs and growth," said Mr Manning. "At a time when regional aviation, in particular, is suffering from pilot and engineer shortages, there is a vacuum of policy aimed at addressing the medium- and long-term potential of the industry to make an even larger contribution to the economy and to sustain satisfying careers." Other issues covered by the comprehensive framework include regulatory reform, security, aviation manufacturing and aviation maintenance. The members of TAAAF are: • Aerial Agricultural Association of Australia • Australian Association of Flight Instructors • Australian Business Aviation Association • Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Business Association • Regional Aviation Association of Australia • Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia. The full TAAAF policy document can be downloaded from www.raaa.com.au. "Aviation plays a critical role in providing rural and regional Australians with access to services that metropolitan Australians are ... able to take for granted." VI

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