The AHIA steering group has received welcome offers of assistance. The organisers of the Avalon Airshow 2013 have been very helpful in offering access to the Melbourne Convention Centre and the airshow venue at Avalon Airport. This will allow the AHIA to have an “official launch”. As a result the Australian helicopter industry will become better known in the Australia and nearby countries, especially those in Asia. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote ourselves as best we can. The lead up and post event PR going around Australia, the Pacific and Asia from Aerospace Aviation Limited will filter down into regional electronic and print media outlets. Hopefully it will lead to better business in 2013?

Aerospace Aviation Limited (AAL) is the organiser of Avalon Airshow 2013. They have in the past helped the now closed Helicopter Association of Australasia. AAL also supports other aviation industry associations. The AAL Board is considering the Steering Committee’s request for assistance at their board meeting on 30 Aug ‘12.

Steering Committee nominates key positions. The AAL Board has asked the AHIA to nominate a steering committee. These nominations are temporary appointments, subject later to an AGM planned for Saturday 3rd November 2012 at Brisbane Airport. Unfortunately, our recent request for volunteers was a zero return exercise – as were the comments on needed divisions, etc. Never mind you are all busy. After a lot of phone calls we managed to obtain two very suitable people to run the Steering Committee up to the AGM, and hopefully continue in the roles they have accepted. As an aside, the National Executive manages the state branches and helps common interest divisions with their work on projects, etc. Management skills and business skills are paramount for the national executive appointments. Branches and divisions will attract the more hands-on players and work under the mentors in the national executive.

Volunteers offering to help. The volunteers who have offered their assistance are:

Steering Committee President – Peter Crook.
Steering Committee Vice President – Mark Scrymgeour.
Steering Committee Secretary/Treasurer – Rob Rich (current convenor).
AHIA Business development, membership and expositions – Rob Rich.

These appointments will become effective from early September after the AAL announces a sponsorship package to allow the AHIA to obtain the resources it needs to be a major player at the Avalon Airshow 2013.

The Secretary and Treasurer’s position will be filled at the inaugural AGM in November by which time the administrative, financial and legal process required for registration as a not-for-profit association will have been completed by the AHIA convenor Rob Rich.

Peter Crook. President designate Peter Crook is based in Sydney. He is well known to most of the key players in the aviation industry and has had extensive aviation experience both as a civilian and military pilot. Peter has also held many and varied positions in commercial aviation including senior executive positions in large multi-national corporations. Peter has a total of 14,000 flight hours in both aeroplanes and helicopters. After a long career with Bell Helicopter Sales, Hawker Pacific, based in Sydney, Peter recently established a private consulting company, PKC Aviation Pty Ltd which specialises in sourcing and selling helicopters, pre-buy inspections, Certificates of Airworthiness, finance, insurance, freight, maintenance and repair and overhaul activities. For several decades, Peter has attended most of the regional and international aviation conventions and conferences and has an excellent understanding of aviation business, regulatory and operational issues.

Mark Scrymgeour. Vice President designate is Mark Scrymgeour who is also based in Sydney. Mark is the Fleet Logistics Manager for Fridgelog, refrigerated transport company that has a fleet of ten refrigerated trucks and fifteen drivers that service contracts with Linfox (Coles distribution), Baiada Chicken, Bells Ice, Bidvest, and Darrell Lea Chocolates.

Previously Mark was the National Franchise Development Manager for Caltex Australia, which has approximately 30% share of the Australian Retail Petrol Market. Caltex Retail has approximately 430 franchisees operating 560 sites nationally. This makes Caltex one of the largest franchise networks in Australia. Mark holds a commercial helicopter licence and brings extensive executive experience from other transport related industries to the AHIA. His corporate knowledge and management experience will help the Australia wide AHIA’s state and technical divisions develop under a National Executive umbrella.

Rob Rich lives in Brisbane. He is an aviation marketing consultant, aviation writer and RABSQA Quality and Safety Management Auditor. His company Cranford Publications Pty Ltd provides undergraduate and post graduate training and education programmes. Past Australia & NZ Representative for the Air Med & Rescue Congress China 2011. He has owned and published magazines such as Aero-News, Aero-Safe, Heli-Safe, Heli-News Australasia and other training publications. Now conducts theory and IREX courses. Second last President of the Helicopter Association of Australasia.

The AAL people suggested that the incoming President and Vice President would have an advantage if they were near to Canberra and CASA. Both Peter and Mark are Sydney based and this will assist in having good access to CASA people during our launch year. All Rob needs is a letter box, computer and banking facilities for the early days. Aviation Australia has offered free use of their training venues for routine meetings, such as the initial AGM.

Celebration 2000 and AGM. The AHIA will celebrate the CASA Register passing the 2,000th helicopter milestone during weekend 3–4 November 2013. The event is titled “Celebrating 2000th Helicopter and AGM”. Venue is being sponsored by Aviation Australia, located at Brisbane International Airport, Queensland. The two days of presentations and local tours of nearby aviation manufacturing facilities will be based at the Brisbane Campus of Aviation Australia. Interstate visitors arriving by air will arrive a short distance from Aviation Australia, and budget accommodation. Good public transport. For those flying to Archerfield Airport should note venue is within reasonable public transport travelling time. More later about aircraft parking at Brisbane. Oodles of free car parking.

AGM. The inaugural AGM is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday 3rd of November 2012, followed later by a casual dinner. Sunday’s activities will focus on training and careers for aircrew, engineers and managers. Nominations from potential speakers are most welcome. Admission is free. More info: helicopterassociation(at)bigpond[dot]com