Chris, it is a good idea. The original plan introduced with AMATS, when I was the Chairman of the CAA in the early 1990s, was to have two automated flight service stations in the US style. One was to be in Melbourne and one in Brisbane. The officers were to be trained in giving detailed weather information – as you receive in the USA. Unfortunately this seems to have been stopped.
Having said that, how are you suggesting we pay for flight service stations? Do you believe that it should be lumped on to normal Airservices costs – i.e. to be paid 95% by the airlines? Do you think the general taxpayer should pay for them, or do you think general aviation should pay? How do you think we will get the Government to agree with each of these scenarios?