The latest Garmin shows power lines – but not here?

[Dick Smith]

I noticed advertising material from Garmin shows they have a database with power lines. That is absolutely fantastic for safety. Unfortunately it appears there is no Aussie database.

Can anyone advise how we could go about getting such a database? Would it be a CASA responsibility (surely they are interested in air safety) and how could that be organised?

[KRviator]

CAsA wouldn't give two hoots about it. AIUI, the FAA permits low flying anywhere doing so doesnt present a hazard to third parties, making such a database useful there.

Here, we dont have that freedom. As it is, I had to build a database of all Australian ALA's and certified airports for the Garmin G3X as there was nothing available (and if any G3X owners want a copy, head to the Dynon forums, it's hosted there!)

We simply dont have the population to satisfy the business case.

[Dick Smith]

What could a “ business case” have anything to do with this? This is air safety!

CASA gives primacy to safety!

Are you suggesting that that in this case they have considered the cost of the safety improvement more important than the safety improvement?

Shock horror. They are clearly not complying with the act.

Are you suggesting the data base is useful in the USA because they allow low flying? But not useful here because we have more onerous regulations?

Doesnt seem to work.

[KRviator]

What could a “ business case” have anything to do with this? This is air safety!

CASA gives primacy to safety!

Are you suggesting that that in this case they have considered the cost of the safety improvement more important than the safety improvement?Not CAsA, no. Garmin. There are more G3X owners in Australia than there would be WireAware users, yet those G3X owners can't even get an Australian airport database for their systems from Garmin. It took a Dynon owner - me - to get one out there. If Garmin won't even provide an airport database, I reckon you've got buckleys of getting a powerline one.
Are you suggesting the data base is useful in the USA because they allow low flying? But not useful here because we have more onerous regulations?Yep. Though I don't have a low level endorsement, I understand such training covers powerline hazards and recognition. In the US, you can fly as low as you want, without an endorsement, so such a database would benefit - in theory - every licenced pilot in America. Here, it would only be of benefit to those with a LL endorsement as anyone else can't go low except through stress of weather, etc etc.

Insofar as making it CAsA's responsibility, why would they bother to lift a finger to help? Anything useful that isn't already in the budget costs money, and that means less $$ for their bonuses and staff Christmas parties. Hell, they stopped printing Flight Safety Australia a few years ago, and there were articles in that that were genuinely useful and could be left around the aero club.

[Peter Pan Pan]

Can anyone advise how we could go about getting such a database? Would it be a CASA responsibility (surely they are interested in air safety) and how could that be organised?

CASA don't manage data, and I don't expect that they have any resources to manage and maintain such a database. In this instance I don't think it's appropriate to get stuck into them about it. (Don't get me started on comnunity service flights though...) It's probably easy enough to pull the powerline infrastructure data from the respective network providers, (especially if CASA broker the request) but you probably will miss a lot of data where power poles are on private property, eg. the SWER (single line earth return) type arrangements which are typically the biggest hazard.

I wonder if the Avplan/Ozrunway guys have looked at this? If there is any usable data out there it would not be hard to add another layer, and add an alerting function.

[Atlas Shrugged]

I noticed advertising material from Garmin shows they have a database with power lines........Unfortunately it appears there is no Aussie database.

Perhaps someone might confirm with Garmin whether the database does in fact not include Australia before bursting into the usual gibberish assumptions on PPRuNe

[ve3id]

Not CAsA, no. Garmin. There are more G3X owners in Australia than there would be WireAware users, yet those G3X owners can't even get an Australian airport database for their systems from Garmin. It took a Dynon owner - me - to get one out there. If Garmin won't even provide an airport database, I reckon you've got buckleys of getting a powerline one.
Yep. Though I don't have a low level endorsement, I understand such training covers powerline hazards and recognition. In the US, you can fly as low as you want, without an endorsement, so such a database would benefit - in theory - every licenced pilot in America. Here, it would only be of benefit to those with a LL endorsement as anyone else can't go low except through stress of weather, etc etc.

Isn't that exactly when you need a database of power lines? Just one hole in the Swiss cheese that could be filled in.

[Squawk7700]

Hi Dick,

It is my belief that AirServices embarked on a project to do this over a year ago, however no updates have been forthcoming that I have been made aware of, however it was expected to take two years.

In the USA, this information is purchased by Garmin from multiple sources and those sources don’t exist in Australia, so it is somewhat easier to achieve over there.

I trust that this information aligns with your recent research on this topic.

Cheers.

[airag]

For those of us for whom power line location are an essential part of safe job planning , the grid information is available as an overlay on Google Earth on a State by State basis .

Some States / companies are more forthcoming than others !!!

[Dick Smith]

Wouldn’t it be great if someone from Airservices can give us an update on the situation.

I reckon it is also of CASA interest. After all there job is to promote aviation safety!

[aroa]

bit of tautology ? there Dick. Casa does not 'promote aviation' casa does "safety" only as they see fit, and 'does over' the industry in the process.