Ex FSO GRIFFO, what rubbish. The AMATS document clearly showed that there would be two automated Flight Service stations in Australia, with many VHF outlets across the country – just like the US system.
Under the Review of Resources – and Flight Service was part of this – staff numbers went from 7,000 to about 3,500. Do you really consider that this hasn’t been a saving to the industry? In fact, there is no doubt that the industry saved over $1 billion in the last 17 years.
I have always believed that we should have a separate Flight Service system in the same way as the USA and Canada. Whilst I want air traffic controllers to offer a radar service where radar is available, I’ve always wanted a separate system for weather, flight plan opening and closing etc.
There are no proposals in the USA under NAS to close down their VHF Flight Service system – even though it has been contracted out to a non-government entity.
The latest decision means that air traffic controllers who are responsible for separating traffic will also be giving weather information and accepting flight plans. This is obviously a crock. I would say it is all about Airservices increasing its profits and CASA not doing its job.