A few corrections:
Originally Posted by
Dick Smith
All the proponents of “radio-arranged separation” on this site insist that we keep frequency boundaries on charts (which no other country has, because unlike Australia, they don't have Flight Information Areas in Class G airspace, in which ATC provide an Air Traffic Service) so IFR and VFR pilots can talk to other aircraft, rather than in addition to remaining vigilant and maintaining a look out. Despite this, It is clear that radio-alerted see and avoid is unbelievably important.
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By the way, is it true that the air/ground at Ballina costs about $200,000 per year – draining that money out of our industry – whereas if we used the US system, the existing firies would provide the service (as they do at Steamboat Springs) for zero extra cost?
I recall RAPAC were informed some years back that the Airservices firies including their union didn't want to provide UNICOM services anywhere, a function they weren't selected or hired for nor trained or paid to do.