CASA Report on Ministerial Direction

[peuce]

CASA(OAR) have published their report. Haven't read it all yet, but here are the recommendations that, reportedly, will be fully implemented:


1.2
Recommendations
The Report makes the following recommendations:
1.
The Minister considers endorsing CASA’s recommendations and withdraws the existing Ministerial Direction 2004-4.
2.
The Tower services established by Airservices in accordance with the Ministerial Directive at each of the 10 Regional Aerodromes should be maintained.
3.
The implementation of improvements to airspace, air traffic service and facility arrangements should be subject to oversight by CASA in accordance with CASA’s normal, risk-based regulatory processes.
Recommendations for Albury
4.
Airservices to implement surveillance technology to provide surveillance coverage to the surface.
5.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
Recommendations for Alice Springs
6.
Airservices to implement surveillance technology to provide surveillance coverage to the surface.
7.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
8.
Coincident with the implementation of additional surveillance at Alice Springs, a Tower Situational Awareness Display (TSAD) or equivalent should be installed in the Alice Springs Tower.
Recommendations for Coffs Harbour
9.
Airservices to implement surveillance technology to provide surveillance coverage to the surface.
10.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
Recommendation for Hobart
11.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
Recommendation for Launceston
12.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
Recommendations for Mackay
13.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
14.
Airservices to consider the implementation of surveillance technology to improve surveillance coverage.
Recommendations for Sunshine Coast
15.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
16.
Airservices to consider the implementation of surveillance technology to improve surveillance coverage.
Recommendations for Rockhampton
17.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.
18.
Airservices to consider the implementation of surveillance technology to improve surveillance coverage.

Recommendations for Tamworth
19.
Airservices to implement surveillance technology to provide surveillance coverage to the surface.
20.
Introduce approach surveillance control services.


Link to the report: http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/lib100008/ministerial-direction-2004-4.pdf

[CaptainMidnight]

Hmm - all that is going to cost quite a few mill ........

Off to have a closer read.

[peuce]

I don't understand ... in the context of the recommendations:

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) recently conducted studies of the 10 Regional Aerodromes (2009-2010). The studies found there were no imminent safety concerns identified at the 10 Regional Aerodromes.
CASA is aware and has taken into consideration the planned capital and operational expenditure that Airservices intends to make at four of the 10 Regional Aerodromes.
CASA has formed a view that aviation growth will determine when additional surveillance infrastructure is required to support the safe and efficient growth of aviation in Australia. CASA has

[peuce]

The get out of jail clause:

If the recommendations of this Report are endorsed, it is accepted that Airservices would be unlikely to be able to implement all of the changes at once. A staged introduction of surveillance infrastructure and approach control services is probable.

[Howabout]

We think it 'mazing.

Just goes to show ya what clever stampeding of the horses can achieve during an election campaign.

All of the previous reports, compiled in the last 6 months or so, didn't recommend any changes, bar YMAV, KTA and BME. Suddenly, we have this demand for universal surveillance at regional locations.

I do not disagree; we're not a third-world country and should have surveillance into those places where the punters pay their hard-earned readies to fly. However, while it may be the right outcome, we seem to have got there through tainted, manipulative and cynical processes.

The end justifying the means (which seems to have been short-term panic to appease the minister during an election campaign) just leaves a bad taste.

"Put a lid on it CASA" is my interpretation - so much for independence.

[peuce]

As I said in another thread ...

"Hey, look ... I've listened and I've acted to uphold safety "

We won't mention that it's pie in the sky and might never happen.
But that's down the track ... after the election!

Not saying that a Liberal Minister wouldn't do exactly the same ... in fact, we've seen it.

[Lodown]

The usual...

Something to toss in front of the voters during an election campaign. Nothing to be implemented until after the next election. Priorities (or parties) change after the election and the report is forgotten.

[ER_BN]

Hmmm WAM or Radar surveillance down to the ground at all these places....Wow ADS-B for all might have been cheaper after all??

Just how much did AsA spend putting all that power to WAM sites in TAS??

[LeadSled]

Folks,

Looks like Dick is not giving up ---- did you really expect him to ??

<http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/08/01/162725_tasmania-news.html>

Tootle pip!!

[Jabawocky]

Leadsled....Dick et al,

Yes its midnight here...........and yes in the USA and frequently asking for the opinions of RPT/Charter pilots such as folk from the like of NetJets etc...........

And after all the BS on pprune over the years I am now convinced more than ever that the NAStro's are really barking up the wrong tree with idealistic BS with a system not designed to cope ith it.

So Leadie and co..........lets do it. Radar to the ground and CLASS C minimum to places like.......... Launie, Hobart, Albury, Ballina, Coffs, Rocky, Mackay, Hamilyon Island, Mt ISa, Alice.....ohh and those other WA places!

And don't bother with the usual BS.........I explained these concepts to the locals over here, and they rolled their eyes and laughed then pulled out their sectionals and explained.....and gave them to me to take home! Aprt from a few small ports in the Rocky's where radar is impossible most of what you guys talk about does not seem to exist, and as for places like Mt ISa and Ballina with B737/a320......forget it!

I hope that ARFOR gets off his ass and reads this....whoever he is will be keen to hear this.

[Freedom7]

Dick not giving up........

Here is a link that works

Safety ace's dogfight vow Tasmania News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania (http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/08/01/162725_tasmania-news.html)

Hobart's air traffic tower is staffed from 6am to 10.30pm and Launceston's from 6am to 10pm.

These are the times for SCHEDULED RPT OPS.

And this is the story nobody talks about, except Zoe:ok:

From The Examiner;

Controllers work late for plane

BY ZOE EDWARDS

31 Jul, 2010 12:00 AM
THE late-night plane carrying the Canberra press gallery following the Prime Minister into Launceston last week was guided in by the airport's air traffic controllers.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard landed in Launceston at 9.25 on Sunday night, within the air traffic control tower's normal operating hours.

However, the press flight was delayed and was due to arrive in Launceston after 10pm - the tower's regular closing time.

Because of foggy conditions, Airservices Australia gave the pilot of the late flight the option to pay to extend the tower's operating hours in order to bring the flight.

The pilot took up the offer.

It is move rarely undertaken by commercial carriers.

Since a mid-air incident at Launceston Airport in 2008, Launceston flight controllers have offered to stay back and guide 29 late night flights but have been knocked back 27 times by airlines.

Instead, flights landing after 10pm rely on plane-to-plane communication to maintain separation.

The practice compelled high-profile businessman and aviator Dick Smith to last week label the Launceston Airport's air safety as second rate.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has since pledged that Launceston Airport will be under 24-hour air traffic control within six months.

Under the new protocol, Launceston's airspace will be controlled by Melbourne Airport's air traffic control between 10pm and 6am.



Well..........what a surprise, the system works:)

[peuce]

Since a mid-air incident at Launceston Airport in 2008, Launceston flight controllers have offered to stay back and guide 29 late night flights but have been knocked back 27 times by airlines.

If the Airlines don't like paying the $76 late fee, they certainly ain't gunna like paying for 24hr Approach Control and the associated infrastructure and training?

[ARFOR]

Will be watching the 'developments' in coming days [and weeks] with 'terminal' interest ;)

I can only 'C' one outcome!

[OZBUSDRIVER]

"He [Mr Albanese] has got incompetent people reporting to him," Mr Smith said.

"It's just a constant resistance to change


I get it! Dick Smith is his own focus group:} Dick, get some advice...those phrases are lamo! you need new researchers.

[Dog One]

I guess that if people travelling to and from Launceston are second rate, what are the people travelling into Karratha and Broome - third rate or non essential.

The bandaid fix to the proposed airspace over there will not work. There is only one good place for E airspace, and thats in the history books as one of the biggest waster's of taxpayers money.

[ARFOR]

The 'alarmist' [caretaker minister's words in the Mercury article] focus has shifted from the danger of a mid-air collision [never was] to a CFIT horror show.

A sarcastic and opinionated look at air space reform – Plane Talking (http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2010/08/03/a-sarcastic-and-opinionated-look-at-air-space-reform/)

I wonder why?

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

Dog 1, very easy to fix

1. Just relocate Broome and Karratha to a marginal electoral seat on the East coast of Australia,

2. Tell the local media outlet some scarey stories about flying into these dangerous third world airports at night-time. Wouldn't want to put the fluffy slipper and tracky dack brigade from Inceston or Slobart in danger after a weekend in the big smoke spending their dole money at the DFO's or going to the footy.

All seems to be overkill for a B737 freighter, a PA-31 on a bank run and a few RFDS flights after 10pm.

But uncle Dick knows best