"ACCORDINGLY, IN THE EVENT OF A SYSTEMS FAILURE OUT OF HOURS, DELAYS IN THE INITIATION OF RECTIFICATIONS MAY OCCUR"
So what on earth is that supposed to mean?
Does ATC systems include Tower and Approach comms?
Does it include VOR/NDB/DME/ILS/Marker, etc?
Does it include the "Green Light from Tower?"
This NOTAM is remarkably non-specific. It doesn't say what is likely to go offline, and fails to suggest whether 30/60/120min holding would be required.
It could be argued that YPDN required an Alternate from Jan 1 to 17 anyway. That sort of mealy mouthed stuff does not belong in an operational message. How the hell do you flightplan on that?
Darwin might not have the traffic load of SY, ML, BN, but it is a strategic location (not just militarily speaking). The only similarly equipped field is Tindal, and if Darwin is copping a wet afternoon, most likely Tindal is too. After that, suitable alternates for hi-cap RPT are a LOOOONG way away.
Fancy any B767 using Jabiru for ETOPS planning
Sad though that it doesn't disappear until some journo who cant tell a "microbust" [sic] from his elbow brings it up in a paper like the NT News. Is 41 Wing RAAF more interested in keeping out of the public eye instead of running a professional outfit?