I think the issue for pilots and operators is as Worrals and others have said is spotters incorrectly reporting aviation operational issues to CASA rather than security related issues to the AFP.
Most spotters are harmless genuine aviation enthusiasts and in the old days at Parafield I let a few of them take pictures of themselves sitting in the pilots seat but I have met some busy bodies as well who are wannabe regulations enforcers and get their noses out of joint especially if you tell them to pi$$ off and get off the ramp ("looks a bit heavy mate" loading of an aircraft in my case which was well within weight and balance).
So if this scheme goes ahead there needs to be some reinforcement that the spotters are to report suspicious security risks to the AFP not operational matters to CASA or Airservices.
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Last edited by aseanaero; 9th Oct 2009 at 03:30.