I'd be interested in hearing thoughts from a Brisbane Center Operator who does the NT sectors surrounding Darwin, on Area Freq. broadcasts being used instead of 126.7 for all ops from uncharted airstrips. (My guess would be - instant meltdown).
Do aircraft from those all depart and arrive at the same time? Do they make lengthy calls, or do they just make an all stations call taxying giving location, departure track and altitude? Are they all in the same FIA, or are there multiple FIAs involved potentially managed by different ATC sectors? Did the problem exist for FS when they managed the frequencies?
FWIW a few advantages of being on the relevant FIA frequency when enroute in Class G:
- immediate SAR alerting, by either direct contact with ATC or if below/outside their VHF coverage, contact with another aircraft on a common frequency with ATC;
- monitoring Hazard Alert broadcasts, and broadcasts of other operational information;
- alert by ATC in the event of penetration or imminent penetration of CTA or an active Restricted Area;
- alert to reactivation of Restricted Areas that have been released to ATC;
- alert to broadcasts by other traffic in your area, and traffic information passed to other aircraft potentially about you;
- availability of RIS
- feel free to add others
The amount of broadcasts by ATC relating to point 3 suggests many are indeed either switched off or monitoring 126.7, completely oblivious to what is going on around them.