Aussiebob and cleared to reenter...
Never said I have denied a clearance..you quote mined my response to get a comment you then took out of context. I was merely expressing my frustration at pilots who dont take the 2 minutes it requires to enter a flight plan but expect ATC to do it for them when they want a clearance (with no delay!), its not just writing up a strip, it processing that info into the system. If you flight plan, the data is already in the system, and a strip just gets printed, its that easy...just a handful of keystrokes and all your info is there.
I can deny a clearance due workload; you increase workload by not flight planning, I have never done that to an aircraft who hasnt flight planned because of my own professional responsibility, I was making the point that I could and I could justify it (6 aircraft on frequency..... and then have to enter flight plan details whilst controlling the other 6....could happen!)
If you get delays at wlm its for 2 reasons.. no strip because a plan hasnt been entered and doing it manually can take a few minutes and if you are coming from the north, comms are often poor. Second reason to hold is because of a separation requirement. Radar contact can be lost down the coast so we cant use that standard with arriving and departing traffic. Holding at a point plotted procedurally clear is the only option until another form of separation exists.
You could get for either or both reasons.
I dont understand why pilots dont wish to file a plan on the ground when it could save them time they are paying for airborne. not only will it save you time airborne, it could save your life one day.
This thread started because Dick Smith was cranky about being held to ensure Australian Aviation separation standards were being applied to him to keep him you know.... safe, he has since switched his argument that the separation standards being applied here are too cumbersome and impact too much on GA, cant say I disagree with him on that front, but attacking the people who control, who are there and licensed to meet those standards (and get stood down from control if they dont) is ridiculous. The RAAF isnt to blame, WLM leadership isnt to blame controllers arent to blame, rules are rules, they are there to be followed, the controller, the wlm det and the airforce has no choice but to enforce these standards. WLM runway is about 2nm from the coast, what separation would you like controllers to employ in order to process you through final approach or departure track? If you want to change separation standards, lobby CASA.
If you want to change the separation standard to 1nm, you are barking up the wrong tree, RAAF has nothing to do with it, they hold no power when it comes to separation of non military assets, separation is already relaxed with the coastal route and military traffic as the mil jets are considered VFR on departure and arrival in VMC (sep not required traffic only).
Dick, making WLM class D would undoubtedly make coastal clearances more forthcoming, but would make WLM airspace a lot more unsafe in my opinion, not many jetstar or virgin pilots would be happy with the change.. not exactly greater change for the most people and the most good on that front..
Last edited by Duane; 26th Jun 2014 at 03:38.