Local helicopter pilot David Visser, owner of Lakes Entrance Helicopters, addressed members of East Gippsland Marketing (EGMI) at his helicopter hanger last Thursday as part of EGMI’s regular business connection meetings.
David’s address was frank, to the point and educational for members of EGMI that attended. David explained how compliance regulations with Commonwealth Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) was a necessary part of flying but, David completes all pre-flight support for his helicopter business, 3-4 hours of on ground administration and compliance, just to fly for one hour.
“Small operators do everything,” David said.
In December last year David became independently CASA approved and that included providing a 600-page report for CASA approval.
He said since 2018 business has been challenging, with his market segment virtually dried up.
David went on to explain how the common perception of people is helicopters can go anywhere and fly anytime, however that is not the case as David and his helicopter can only fly daylight hours.
David detailed rough operational costs for the helicopter: 50 per cent to the aircraft; 15 percent to oils, fuel, etc.; and the remaining 35 per cent to static costs and a sniff of profit.
Following an explanation of the helicopter operations and the stagnation of the market demand compared to historical data, David compared New Zealand’s approach and business zeal to the helicopter business.
In Australia and only in Victoria David cannot land without a permit – he cannot land on a beach or public land. He said rules for helicopter flying in Victoria are the most restrictive in Australia and the flow-on effect is killing business endeavour.
In contrast New Zealand has a much more open approach to helicopter flying, in-turn supporting the industry. In the USA, as in New Zealand, according to David, both countries have a developed culture of can-do and freedom, but he said Australian government control, process and procedures at all levels continue to strangle entrepreneurial drive and enthusiasm.
Attending the evening address was Tasmanian-born Vaughan McVilly, who had stopped in Lakes Entrance on his fundraising bike ride from Sydney to Hobart.
Vaughan had roadblocks placed in his way in his business endeavours by the Tasmanian Government when he tried to develop helicopter/cycle business on the east coast of the state.
Vaughan was at the time the only person in Australia with a CASA-registered license to carry bicycles by helicopter in Australia. Vaughan went through an exhaustive registration process, had the all-clear from CASA only to be dealt a killer blow to his business venture by Tasmanian Government bureaucracy.
Both David and Vaughan appear to be on the same page, their stories common to people prepared to have a go yet are strangled by government red tap.
Vaughan said successive governments of every persuasion at all levels only ever play lip service to suggest they will attempt to cut strangling red tape for business and especially for small to medium size businesses.
Vaughan has ridden his bicycle from Sydney to Hobart fundraising for the Mental Wheels Foundation and raising awareness of mental health in our society.
The Mental Wheels Foundation also works in concert with Macquarie University through its website and social media channels collecting valuable data relating to the mind and body.
