17 September 2008

 Col Pay Scholarship Established

Application form - click here

With the generous support of the Pay family, AAAA has launched the Col Pay Scholarship to encourage new pilots into the aerial application industry. The Scholarship will be awarded each year to honour the memory of Col and to encourage the same skills and values in up-and-coming ag pilots that Col held dear.

Col Pay was an icon of the Australia aerial application industry.  He was a superb pilot, a skilled engineer, a sound manager and a generous family man.  Col was a great supporter of AAAA over many years and strongly believed in the need for a professional association to represent the interests of the air ag industry.

Col trained many ag pilots in his role as an ag instructor and Authorised Testing Officer.  He was tragically killed in an accident while test flying a new system for firebombing aircraft.

The Scholarship will be awarded to a candidate that has demonstrated a financial need for assistance; preferably has previous experience in the industry, for example as a loader/mixer; a good attitude, including a strong work ethic; aptitude for the industry including a commitment to professionalism, safety and airmanship; and a long-term commitment to the industry.

Candidates will be assessed by a representative of the Pay family and the AAAA Board.  The Scholarship will be to the value of $10,000 of flying training for an ag rating which will be conducted by Pays Pty Ltd.  The successful applicant must be able to undertake the training at a time that is convenient to Pays Pty Ltd. 

Applications on the correct form (download above) will close on the 31st of April each year and will be announced at the AAAA Annual Convention. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview/s as part of the selection criteria.

  

 

 

 18 August 2008

AAAA PART 137 COMPLIANT, CASA APPROVED, STANDARD OPERATIONS MANUAL

AAAA has negotiated an aerial application operations manual with CASA that will simplify the process, reduce acceptance time and reduce cost to operators.

The manual is pre-approved by CASA and all you have to do is complete a 'Schedule of Differences' to explain any areas your operation is different. AAAA even supplies a simple template for you to fill in.

The manual was totally revised in 2007 and now includes helicopter ag operations as well as being fully complient with CASA's new Part 137 for aerial application using fixed wing aircraft.

To access the manual you must sign off on AAAA's terms and conditions and you can initiate the process by sending an email, fax or letter to AAAA's requesting the terms and conditions.

For more information, check out the CASA website at www.casa.gov.au/Part137