1 August 2014

CEO Update

Dear Colleagues,

Our first ever Leadership Summit is now successfully behind us and many thanks to all of you for your participation and for taking the time to provide your feedback – it really helps us improve. Our score is 8+ out of 10 survey results, so we’re very happy with that and aiming to take learnings on board so we can hit a 10+/10 next year in Queenstown. We’re already well in planning mode.

Our annual Conferences may be over, but there is certainly no rest for the wicked, or for us aviators anyway. This week we are straight into the CAA Funding Review. As part of our ethos of One Industry and collaborative leadership, we are working across industry for a shared position on CAA Funding Principles link. This will be much more effective than a fragmented view, where everyone expects someone else to pay. The first draft of our Aviation NZ submission is here – it’s an easy read and follows the beneficiary pays philosophy. Aviation Federation is promoting a fuel levy – to replace ALL routine CAA fees, levies and charges. What do you think of this idea? comments

Just announced, consultation on the Civil Aviation Act and Airport Authorities Act review opens today link

The Carterton inquest resumed again this week. Understandably, the public are concerned when they think CAA knows about suspected poor operator practices, but has not done anything about it. Aviation NZ has a key role to play here through providing the peer review and support networks that small operators need to ensure they maintain best practice and avoid the dangers of complacency. These informal networks are supplemented by our industry developed AIRCARE™ Programme, which seeks to raise minimum performance standards to enhance safety and accountability for all here

All the best as we head into the second half of the year.

Index

Internal News

Summit Feedback New

Thanks to all those who have emailed and phoned us with comments about the Summit. A number of these comments were referred to last week. A good number of you also completed the questionnaire that was included in your registration packs, and sent out again in last week’s newsletter. Some specifics that have emerged in the questionnaires:
- The best thing about the Summit – clearly the networking opportunities. Catching up with old friends and, importantly, making new connections. Several commented that the speakers generally remained for part of the Summit, were easily accessible and this presented opportunities to meet them. We encouraged speakers, where possible, to stay for the day when they were presenting.

- The most valuable presentations? As expected, a real mix. The scene setting presentations in the first sessions on Monday and Tuesday got a good response. You liked the Director CAA presentation and there was strong interest in the success stories – good to know what kiwi companies are achieving and how they go about things.

- The least valuable presentations? Good to see that 50% entered ‘not applicable’. We must have hit a good note! The ‘non’ appearance of the Minister of Transport received the highest rating!

- What would you like to see more of? Practical presentations and case studies by other New Zealand companies; more divisional time for Training & Development and Logistics.

- What would you change? Several comments here on the desirability of staying in the same venue as the Summit is held. This is clearly a challenge given the availability of suitable venues in New Zealand. We should be able to deliver on this requirement though in Queenstown next year!

A big thanks to all those who completed the questionnaire.

We had one comment on the Gala Dinner that people would like a choice of main. That was the original plan, but as 60 people registered at the last minute, we had to change to alternate drop to make sure we could accommodate everyone. Please register early!

Council and Divisional Meetings New

The next Council and Divisional Meetings are scheduled for 8-10 September in Ohakea. More details will follow early next week.

Domestic News

CAA Funding Review Updated

As directed by Cabinet in August 2012, the Authority is expected to provide advice on any recommended changes to existing fees, charges, and levies to the Minister of Transport by 1 July 2015. The review is to focus more on re-balancing the CAA's revenues than on increasing revenue. To enable that, the current funding review project is divided into two stages. The first stage is focused on the underlying principles of the Authority’s funding framework, and addresses the question, “Who Should Pay?”, and “How should they pay”, for the Authority’s services. The CAA is about to start discussion with the aviation community on Stage One of the review and will hold seminars between 6 and 15 August in six locations around the country. Submissions on the review close at 5pm on 25 August. Questions and answers to matters raised so far are now on the website. More info: http://www.caa.govt.nz/funding/index.html

As part of our ethos of One Industry and collaborative leadership, we are working across industry for a shared position on CAA Funding Principles. This will be much more effective than a fragmented view, where everyone expects someone else to pay. The first draft of our Aviation NZ submission is [here] – it’s an easy read and follows the beneficiary pays philosophy.
This week we have had a very productive meeting with the Aviation Federation and will be liaising with the Airports Association, BARNZ and other groups next week. A key suggestion from the Aviation Federation is a fuel levy – to replace ALL routine CAA fees, levies and charges, what do you think of this idea? Please let us have your comments on our draft submission [email] by 15 August. We will be using this draft as our initial feedback to the CAA during the Seminar roadshow (we don’t want to just be passive in that exercise), feel free to do the same.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems and Rule Development New

On 7 Jul 2014, Cabinet agreed to the CAA undertaking rule development for RPAS (previously called drones, UAVs or UASs), in line with the policy proposals. At a high level, the proposed new rules will:

update the definitions of RPAS
amend the model aircraft operating rules (Part 101) to account for the introduction of new proposed rules
establish a new Part 102 for RPAS
review other rule parts to ensure consistency.

We are taking a close interest in this area. More info from CAA is available: http://www.caa.govt.nz/rpas/index.html

MOT Review of Civil Aviation Act 1990 and Airport Authorities Act 1966 New

The Ministry of Transport has begun public consultation on a review of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Airport Authorities Act 1966. The Civil Aviation Act 1990 governs the civil aviation system in New Zealand. The Airport Authorities Act 1966 confers on airports a range of functions and powers.

Public consultation will run from 1 August – 31 October 2014.

Nick Brown, Ministry of Transport General Manager Aviation and Maritime, says the reviews provide an opportunity to improve the usability of the legislation, and ensure it supports effective and efficient regulatory decision-making.

To view the consultation document, and find out how to make a submission or attend an engagement session view www.transport.govt.nz/air/caa-act1990-aa-act1966-review-consultation/.

Given the breadth of issues covered by the review, there may be issues of interest to you that are not covered in the consultation document, or addressed in as much detail as you would like. Please contact the review team directly at ca.act@transport.govt.nz to seek clarification or discuss any issues in more detail.

You can provide feedback or raise any questions directly with the Act review project team at one of the Ministry’s upcoming regional engagement sessions. Further information about these sessions will be posted on the Ministry of Transport website shortly. We will also be back in touch with you with the session dates, times and venues once they are finalised.

For further information about these sessions, please contact Bronwyn Lauten on ph (04) 439 9343 or ca.act@transport.govt.nz

Save money and reduce foreign exchange risk New

N3 presented at the Summit and have now prepared a 7 point check list (on one page) with suggestions on how those doing business internationally (buying and selling) can save money here

Business opportunities in New Zealand

In recent weeks, we’ve included details of RFTs issued on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS), primarily on behalf of DoC. Last week, another tender appeared: Antipodes Island Mouse Eradication, Aerial and Transport Services. GETS reference 42867. RFPs close 25 August and a briefing session is scheduled for 5 August in Christchurch (rsvp compulsory). Further documents on two recent tenders have also been added to GETS over the last few days: Northland Aerial Imagery – GETS 42689; and Auckland Islands Hydro Surveys – GETS 42481.

Cricket World Cup

The ICC Cricket World Cup opens in Christchurch on February 14 next year. Great news for cricket fans – but great news for aviation too. This is the biggest event in NZ since the Rugby World Cup in 2011 – let’s make the most of it. http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup

There will be thousands of fans travelling across the country to support their team – but also keen to have a New Zealand experience. Are you thinking about what kind of charter packages you could offer to these high net worth and other visitors? There’s a great business opportunity here. Over 1 million expected attendees and 1 billion TV viewers.

14 teams will be playing 49 matches over 44 days in 14 host cities across two countries. There are seven NZ host cities: Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The opening game is in Christchurch, as well as a quarter and semi-final and the showcase NZ - Australia match in Auckland.

Have a look at the match schedules so you can see where people will be and when http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/fixtures . We are working with CWC NZ to create opportunities for NZ aviation to promote its products and services. More on this soon.

International News

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

P3 Orion International Operators Support Conference (P3 IOSC) Atlanta, Georgia, 27-30 October

New Zealand companies can attend and showcase their technologies or services at the next P3 IOSC in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference is co-hosted annually by Lockheed Martin and an international operator country. This year it is New Zealand and the NZ Defence Force’s turn. There is an industry expo throughout, a number of networking opportunities and New Zealand will host a function to showcase our technology, culture and cuisine. NZTE is supporting the NZ presence. For more info, contact: richard.harrison@icn.govt.nz .