MISASA, Please Help

[Hazzard]

Firstly, my apologies to the editor of the “MICROLIGHTERS AFRICA” for “going public” with my remarks and commentary regarding your article in the July edition, page 32 of the magazine. In response to your article “We should seek to earn the…” I comment as follows:
• United Front to Take on Bureaucracy: Let’s face it, as individuals, we either have an issue with people telling us what to do, or we don’t. Personally, I do not operate well in a draconian environment. I have no issue with the rules under which we operate as pilots. I have an issue with where they came from. In short, responsible people need to be involved in the setting up of said rules in a democratic business environment where proper representation is entertained. To do that effectively we need to get together, agree on the principals that best represent our position, elect people to represent us, and get involved. (Heaven forbid, but the above smacks of Union Propaganda. Let’s face it though; the current government was born from the Union type environment. How better to enter into discussions with them but with the system that worked for them). GUYS, WE NEED A DECENT, WELL REPRESENTED BODY TO DO THIS WORK. And we have one. To all the Mavericks, channel your energy into MISASA, vote, (people in and out) until it to represents you, and then let’s send them into the foray.
• MISASA Fees: For me this has never been an issue. It has always gone to what I am getting for my money. With so much happening on the Durban North Coast at the moment, representation was never more important than now. As to when the payments should start, this is incidental and of little significance. I would rather have someone sign on now, and have them as a member that let an argument arise as to the “part payment / full payment issue”. Have a reducing balance for heaven sake, but get the members signed on. And no, I do not want the greater membership to significantly reduce my membership cost. I would rather it significantly increase my representation at the “business end” of discussions. While on the issue of the business end, who forgot to get their aircraft licensed and had to do a rush job to stay airborne. Come on now, be honest. I, for my money, would like to see the database kept by an individual who reminds me of the impending responsibility, and undertakes to get the work done. I believe, through discussions with someone like Collette, that this could be done, and at a reduced charge through the MISASA buying power. Imagine it, the phone rings, you answer it and it is “someone” saying, “Your license is due at the end of the month. I am going to the dept on Tuesday and am in a position to get your license to you by Friday.
• Membership Marketing: The best place to do this is through the clubs and flying schools. MISASA need to take on the responsibility of convincing the clubs etc to elicit membership. With technology today every club could have a computer linked to a database giving all sorts of information for the pilot / visitor. As a golfer, you can visit any club and check all information pertaining to yourself or the visiting player, with the swipe of a card. Imagine, like a golfer, your log book held in Cyberspace.

P/S 1. Anybody read the Sunday Tribune on the Durban airports issue. They speak of the relocation of both the Durban International and the Virginia Airport. Like it or not, this will effect the microlighters, even if only on how it changes our airspace and where we can / cannot fly!!! MISASA, for my part, into your agenda please.
P/S 2. To all the armchair critics of aviation, Aviators, the Microflight Africa magazine or microlighters in general. Nothing changes by itself. Speak up and add value (just don’t keep quiet)

Cheers,

Hazzard

[DarkHelmet]

Hear hear!

[Leprachaun]

Hear Hear - MISASA for the people by the people -
Attend the AGM , vote the right guys/ gal in who want to and can do the work - dont sit on the fence/ outside and critisize - get involved - get articles to the mag , let them know what up , promote your school , airfield and the sport - give the committee the credit they deseve , there are guys there with plenty experience , but no one is irreplaceable - its our organisation , its what we make of it , I welcome the mag , the MISASA approved APs and schools and for the membership fee , I still think it worth it - Leprachaun :D :D

[Weg]

When is the MISASA AGM and where?