My chance has finally come. My Login problem has been solved. So many posts - none of which have appeared.
TO set the record...270hr PPL with NVFR. Fly every week in a well maintained aircraft. Just ask my LAME and my wife...one smiles while the other cries. Have just installed Whelan Comet strobes, new wingtip quartz halogen landing lights and Pulslite (aka Sunstate dash 8 - 300's to improve conspicuity to other aircraft.
So there you have it. I am an amateur. Flying is not my profession BUT I still try to fly professionally AND that statement does NOT need to incur flames from CERTAIN (ie, not all) ATPLS, CPL's and ATC's who feel that THEY and they alone have the rights to any and all things profesional in australian aviation! I am an amateur yes, but I am NOT an idiot.
Having said that, I accept the fact that there are some idiots in GA. Can I postulate that, having read all posts on all threads relating to NAS2b, GA does not seem to hold the rights to the affliction. It seems to have spread to some of the professionals as well. Let's hope it does not become an epidemic.
Now, on to NAS2b.
In my, amateur, opinion and those of my PPL colleagues whom I have asked agree, the system seems less safe. Whether that reduction in safety will cause the sky to fall and aircraft to follow, is yet to be seen. The Minister says one thing ie keep away from airports, navaids, IFR routes etc, the AIP's say another ie avoid WHERE POSSIBLE. Centre frequencies are on the maps, in places, but no boundaries. That's why I have kept my old maps. We are not suppose to talk on or monitor centre frequency. Codswallop. Airmanship dictates that we MUST if appropriate.
PLAN:
I have NO intention of flying over mountainous terrain, real tiger territory, to keep away from airports and navaids just to satisfy Dick Smith's greater plan.
I have NO intention of NOT monitoring the APPROPRIATE frequency, which will be CENTRE Frequency on Comm 1 and the next appropriate MBZ / CTAF / UNICOM frequency on Comm 2.
I WILL ask for a Tx check on departure and on approach to Class C airspace and I apologise in advance if this upsets Controllers.
I DO NOT apologise to the Head Honcho at Brisbane Centre, whose photo has recently appeared in numerous advertisments, for taking up valuable airtime when his Controllers are obviously "busily" attending to "emergencies".
BTW, whoever is responsible for that pic should be dismissed. They obviously have NO idea about body language. His photo depicts an image of a man being threatening, obstructive and non-cooperative. But then again, perhaps that's the image he wanted to portray. I hope not and it is a shame if it is because I know his Controllers are not like that. I know many personally. The VAST majority are professional, obliging, easy to get along with (barring bad hair days) and, when workload permits, even jovial. Now that I am NOT ALLOWED to converse with them I will miss all that.
All in all, I guess the only thing I wont be doing is making a broadcast to Centre freqncy when I leave my MBZ. However, if I am aware that there is an RPT on it's way in then I will be. If I get a slap on the wrist from a Controller then that will be a small price to pay for safety. I am yet to depart on a flight of any substance where I submit a flight plan..ie ALL flights other than a jolly to the beach late on a sunday arvo where the airspace is only occupied by me, a few pelicans and a few ultralights. I don't know as yet, when I depart on a planned flight into E, if I will be given a discrete code and if, in that instance, I will be asked to contact Centre. I guess I wont as I dont need clearance into E. Bloody crazy isn't it.
In summation therefore, can I advise all PROFESSIONAL pilots, including some of the ones on other threads who, unable to control their emotions, have been unsulting, childlike and denigrating, that I will continue to fly under NAS2b as professionally as I did under the old airspace. I will continue to monitor centre frequency as being the most appropriate and I will continue to alter track, slow down, speed up etc to facilitate YOUR RPT aircraft as much as possible.
There is not much more I can do or say except to say that I applaud the post from Bush Pelican on another thread. He appears to be experienced, sensible, intelligent and calmly used fact not fiction nor insults to make his point.
Stay safe up there and have a great Festive Season.
Regards
MR
