Here's a scenario .
VFR aeroplane with 1 VHF does a diversion, wants to know latest METAR for destination or wants to amend sartime; used to contact flightwatch never had trouble getting through.
Now has to try and raise Mel Centre...no response. Too busy, or just can't hear us. Try climbing higher, cloud allowing, for better reception. Still no response. In any case he or she is flat out with IFR stuff. Thank god I'm not trying to make a mayday call.
In last five attempts at this have only been able to raise Mel Centre once.
Later asked the nice man who I cancelled SARTIME (on the phone now
) how to solve above problems. Suggestions were:
1. Use HF - nah, don't have one.
2. Use NAIPS - erm, I'm in the sky at the moment
3. Call the 1800 number - see above.
4. Contact airservices and raise your concerns.
So now if a VFR has to divert, due wx and can't get back to base or get phone reception or is in a paddock somewhere...too bad. So there's a great safety outcome.
Also, flight plans lodged through NAIPS keep disappearing and not getting to the controller who needs to know. The SARTIME has vanished as well.