flichik
7th Sep 2004, 02:16
At last some reasoned comment.
Rebel pilots call for action
By Samantha Baden
06sep04
A REBEL pilots' group wants all non-commercial pilots to fly without radios and transponders next month to protest against Airservices Australia's decision to wind back Federal airspace reforms.
The Airservices board voted 5-1 last month to reverse some National Airspace System (NAS) reforms introduced by the Federal Government.
The contentious NAS reforms, which came into force on November 27 last year, allowed light planes into areas used by commercial airliners and involve a greater reliance on visual checks for other aircraft.
Following a series of near-misses and concern from pilots and air traffic controllers, the NAS regulations were overhauled just six months after their introduction, with the Airservices Australia board announcing enhancements to the system, including the reintroduction of radio frequency boundaries.
Now the board has voted to implement "airspace safety enhancements" on November 25 that will leave in place about 90 per cent of the E-class airspace, in which light aircraft can share space with commercial planes without contacting air traffic controllers.
The board also voted in favour of upgrading the airspace surrounding a number of control towers.
A rebel pilots' group last week sent anonymous emails to many commercial and non-commercial pilots calling for them to join a General Aviation Day of Action on November 27 in response to the changes.
It also has set up a website (www.bindook.com), which has publicised the plan and called for the resignation of six of the seven Airservices Australia board members who voted in favour of the changes.
The group is calling for pilots to switch off radios and transponders as part of a day of protest against "Airservices Australia's great airspace grab" on November 27.
Attempts to contact the rebel pilots by email have been unsuccessful.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) vice president Andrew Kerans said the association understood the sentiment behind the call for action.
But he said it was unacceptable that a handful of what he believed to be union airline pilots were intent on closing the skies to more than 12,000 Australian aircraft owners.
"Our opinion is that we don't believe the changes (approved by Airservices) are lawful and we actually think they are dangerous," Mr Kerans said.
"But we've gone out to all our members and said please don't fly into controlled airspace with your radios and transponders turned off.
"We understand the sentiment behind why people would want a national day of action, but if you go barging into controlled airspace like that you're asking for trouble."
Australian Federation of Air Pilots executive director Terry O'Connell said he was not aware of the campaign by the rebel pilots, but said it was not surprising.
Mr O'Connell welcomed the Airservices decision.
"For the commercial pilots it means there is going to be more communication between aircraft and air traffic controllers and as a result a safer environment as we see it.
"The general aviation pilots don't like it because it means because of communication requirements they might possibly be up for some additional amounts of money somewhere down the line."
The Australian Air Traffic Control Association was being sought for comment.
Rebel pilots call for action
By Samantha Baden
06sep04
A REBEL pilots' group wants all non-commercial pilots to fly without radios and transponders next month to protest against Airservices Australia's decision to wind back Federal airspace reforms.
The Airservices board voted 5-1 last month to reverse some National Airspace System (NAS) reforms introduced by the Federal Government.
The contentious NAS reforms, which came into force on November 27 last year, allowed light planes into areas used by commercial airliners and involve a greater reliance on visual checks for other aircraft.
Following a series of near-misses and concern from pilots and air traffic controllers, the NAS regulations were overhauled just six months after their introduction, with the Airservices Australia board announcing enhancements to the system, including the reintroduction of radio frequency boundaries.
Now the board has voted to implement "airspace safety enhancements" on November 25 that will leave in place about 90 per cent of the E-class airspace, in which light aircraft can share space with commercial planes without contacting air traffic controllers.
The board also voted in favour of upgrading the airspace surrounding a number of control towers.
A rebel pilots' group last week sent anonymous emails to many commercial and non-commercial pilots calling for them to join a General Aviation Day of Action on November 27 in response to the changes.
It also has set up a website (www.bindook.com), which has publicised the plan and called for the resignation of six of the seven Airservices Australia board members who voted in favour of the changes.
The group is calling for pilots to switch off radios and transponders as part of a day of protest against "Airservices Australia's great airspace grab" on November 27.
Attempts to contact the rebel pilots by email have been unsuccessful.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) vice president Andrew Kerans said the association understood the sentiment behind the call for action.
But he said it was unacceptable that a handful of what he believed to be union airline pilots were intent on closing the skies to more than 12,000 Australian aircraft owners.
"Our opinion is that we don't believe the changes (approved by Airservices) are lawful and we actually think they are dangerous," Mr Kerans said.
"But we've gone out to all our members and said please don't fly into controlled airspace with your radios and transponders turned off.
"We understand the sentiment behind why people would want a national day of action, but if you go barging into controlled airspace like that you're asking for trouble."
Australian Federation of Air Pilots executive director Terry O'Connell said he was not aware of the campaign by the rebel pilots, but said it was not surprising.
Mr O'Connell welcomed the Airservices decision.
"For the commercial pilots it means there is going to be more communication between aircraft and air traffic controllers and as a result a safer environment as we see it.
"The general aviation pilots don't like it because it means because of communication requirements they might possibly be up for some additional amounts of money somewhere down the line."
The Australian Air Traffic Control Association was being sought for comment.