The reason the pilot sent the information to the NT news was for them to sensationalise it which in turn would force the RAAF to make an effort to have them repaired/ replaced.
Past experience is that you need to take to the RAAF with a sledge hammer to have anything done.
Recently there was a NOTAM that said some thing along the lines that all aircraft needed to carry an alternate due technical difficulties in Darwin. That is a lot of extra fuel. Alternate for darwin, say Tindal plus the standard 60 mins holding.
The same pilot approached the NT news, who in turn made some inquiries and "presto" the technical difficulties dissapear.
Good on him I say.
Re not having wind info at other ports, that was not the issue.
Need a reason for NT News to print it, they will only take up the cause if it sells newspapers. Make it sound exciting. Darwin is an international airport at an Australian Capital city. Don't you think wind info should be expected?
We certainly pay for it. Can you imagine if this mob were running a small GA company, the list of U/S's that would be fixed tomorrow would be endless. Not on the maintainance releases though!
AT DARWIN, TECHNICAL STAFF WILL BE ON SITE TO PERFORM ANY NECESSARY RECTIFICATION TO ATC SYSTEMS FM 2200 - 0700 UTC MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
OUTSIDE THESE HOURS, DUE TO CURRENT STAFF SHORTAGES, ON SITE MANNING IS LOW AND RECTIFICATION MAY REQUIRE RECALL OF CERTAIN PERSONNEL.
ACCORDINGLY, IN THE EVENT OF A SYSTEMS FAILURE OUT OF HOURS, DELAYS IN THE INITIATION OF RECTIFICATIONS MAY OCCUR.
FROM 01 100605 TO 01 170300
I read this NOTAM yesterday and wondered what significance it had.
Something smells off!!