RAAus supports flood-affected members

RAAus support for members affected by flooding

3 March 2022

Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) has today announced a range of measures totalling $100,000, aimed at supporting members as they manage the aftermath of devastating floods in South-East Queensland and NSW.

Over the past several years the aviation community has been faced with many challenges including bushfires and COVID-19. We’re now observing the tragic events unfold in Ukraine and experiencing unprecedented flooding in parts of south-eastern Queensland and NSW. RAAus recognises that the compounding effect of these events is really starting to bite, and is fortunate to be in a financial position to play a larger role in supporting our members. Chair of the RAAus Board, Michael Monck said that “our member-based organisation is a community that looks out for one another. And with a strong balance sheet we are very much able to play a part in supporting our members, aircraft owners, maintainers and flight training schools as they deal with these devastating floods.

Today the RAAus Board resolved to implement a range of measures, that includes: • Access to dedicated funds of up to $25,000 for RAAus aircraft owners, RAAus Flight

Training Schools and RAAus aircraft maintainers, where RAAus will co-fund up to 50% of insurance excess for aircraft, tooling, or flight training school premises to a maximum value of $250 per affected member • Setting aside up to $15,000 in registration fees for owners of severely damaged or written-off aircraft, to assist members when registering another aircraft or re-registering their repaired aircraft in the future • Making available $45,000 of financial assistance to our flight training schools should they temporarily re-locate or need to re-establish themselves. • Supporting affected RAAus maintainers,

also known as Non-flying members, who may also seek extension to their membership for twelve months • Putting $10,000 towards facilitating the availability of L2/L4 maintainers so they can travel to affected locations and support aircraft owners as they repair their aircraft • Continuing the existing program that funds working bee lunches at a range of airfields that will keep the energy up for those working in often torrid conditions during the clean-up • Establishing a community of RAAus helpers, where members wishing to assist those in need, can advertise their services for the rebuilding efforts. • Making available counselling services through a dedicated specialist service provider The RAAus Board also recognises that we need to plan and support our members now and into the future. We have committed to working toward dedicating a fund where our members can call upon RAAus in the future to assist in similar ways, should the need arise. We are still working through the details of this however we maintain the principle that as members of RAAus, the benefits extend well beyond the registering of aircraft and issuance of pilot authorisations.”

RAAus CEO Matt Bouttell said today that “whilst RAAus provided a range of fee-waiving options throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in support of members doing it tough, this latest package, as approved by the RAAus Board, goes much further in terms of the quantum, whom it supports and how it will be delivered. Over the coming week my team and I will be finalising the terms and conditions of each measure so we there are clear expectations for members around eligibility and how to access this support. This will all be communicated to members via a dedicated E-News along with updates to our website.”