0730z 16 Feb - NAS (not) Rollback Announced

[Capt Claret]

Unfortunately I missed the details on the 1700 (cst) news but did hear something to the effect that this is not considered a wind back of the November changes.

Does any one have details?

From the ABC Just In Web Site.

Last Update: Monday, February 16, 2004. 6:50pm (AEDT)
Airservices to change new system
Airservices Australia (ASA) is to make changes to its recently introduced National Airspace System.

The new regulations were introduced only two months ago and meant light planes and jets could fly in the same airspace without having to communicate with air traffic control.

It has already been blamed for a number of incidents, including a near miss between a light plane and jet at Launceston.

In a statement, Airservices Australia says after an investigation it has identified areas where improvements should be considered.

It plans to immediately deploy radars at smaller airports and include air traffic control frequencies on its charts.

A spokesman says it is not a back flip, but an enhancement of the system.

[Bevan666]

The 7pm news mentioned frequencies back on the charts, and "installing new radar at some regional airports"

Bevan..

[SM4 Pirate]

Thank goodness sense is finally prevailing in our ever present need to keep the skies safe.

Since 27 November 2003, the Federal Government has label professional pilots and air traffic controllers “as scaremongering”; now we are getting a “safety enhancement”, which really means, an almost total rollback to the previous system plus a very expensive rollout of mobile radar units.

The bureaucrats and sycophants of Mr John Anderson and Mr Dick Smith need to all lose their jobs for exposing us all to an obviously less safe airspace system; not to mention the $100M, or so, in costs that have been totally wasted (again) on airspace reform.

The public are now faced with uncertainty in the skies, until the new (old) system is restored; this will take time to retrain the air traffic controllers, pilots and generally get the message out. NAS was safe enough (allowing for two Dash-8's every 3 years), but demonstrably not as safe as it used to be, this is why it is being changed back.

The pesky little scaremongers were right after all; yet again the Howard ministry has been caught out. Airservices Australia’s chairman John Forsyth has resigned (last week), Mr Anderson it’s now your time.

To any potential new transport minister, even you Mr Anderson (if you survive), I implore you to leave Mr Dick Smith right out of it; he has a record of 0 from 3 for airspace reform, he just doesn’t get it; he has form and it’s not good.

I need a Bottle of Rum

[Duff Gen]

I assume that all costs incurred with NAS 2b (and rollback) will be covered by the aviation community, and Airservices will still be required to make its annual profit, along with its 10% dividend to be paid to the government.

If this is the case, the government has forced a $50,000,000 (or whatever it was) charge to be passed onto the aviation community, when aviation in Australia is almost broke. Why aren't the airlines screaming for blood?



Duff

[Dehavillanddriver]

unless they include the replacement of large chunks of E with C the whole thing is a farce.

How long will it take to put the portable radars in place?

How long will it take to rate controllers on a radar version of what was previously a procedural sector?

how will the portable radars feed into TAAAAAAAAAATS?

Where will they go?

This sounds like a politically inspired face saving exercise that changes nothing

They should be made to stick to the agreement made with industry the week before last.

if they don't AVM Fisher should be forced to go as well.

What tricks did you pull this time Dick?

[DownDraught]

Well Dick, what are your "feelings" on this information, care to explain anything????

[NAMPS]

Spot on DHD.

Next question is how much is all this going to cost?

Those that support NAS speak of cost savings for the industry. How much will it cost to deploy portable radar? How many? What about personnel trained to use it?

Sounds to me that whatever cost savings were envisaged prior to its implementation are going to be eaten up by the "fine tuning" process (and may cost a whole lot more)!!

It is interesting to note the 'education material' sent out prior to NAS being implemented. At page 4 of the Reference Guide it states:

"Australian aviation faces difficult times. The once thriving market for private flying is in decline, with flying schools closing as fewer people take up aviation as a recreational activity."

I think the real reason aviation is in decline is the Government selling off airports to unscrupulous corporations hell bent on making a buck by jacking up rent (hangers, a/c parking), landing fees etc.

Perhaps the Government should be looking closer to earth for reforms than looking to the skies. :*