RAAF to Extend ATC hours at YWLM
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RAAF to Extend ATC hours at YWLM
FAIRFAX LOCAL NEWS. RAAF to extend ATC at YWLM
This little snipet showed up this morning.
DEFENCE-operated air traffic control services at Newcastle Airport will be extended to include weekends, holidays and the Defence Christmas break, under changes planned by the Chief of Air Force.
Under the plans, the RAAF would increase its staff to enable it to provide its air traffic control service 16 hours a day, seven days, throughout the year.
A Defence spokeswoman said extension of the service was the main recommendation of the recent confidential RAAF review of Williamtown air traffic control arrangements.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin has endorsed the move and the Federal Government has been advised of his intention to seek the necessary extra resources.
The expense has not been determined. The cost of any services provided beyond the military's needs would be passed on to the airport, which would in turn pass it on to the industry.
But the changes are not expected to be ready before late 2010, missing the next month-long defence operational standby at the end of the year.
Aviator Dick Smith criticised the time line and said the changes should be implemented immediately.
"If a report has found the full [air traffic control] service is needed, then it is needed now," Mr Smith, a former chief of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, said.
Defence said it would have to recruit and train the extra air traffic controllers and technicians.
Last year, representatives told the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that Defence was experiencing a shortage of controllers.
The RAAF provides an air traffic control service from 8am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm Friday. It operates a certified air ground radio service from 4pm to 10pm on Friday and 10am to 7pm on weekends and public holidays.
Under the changes, air traffic control would be provided from 6am to 10pm each day, including public holidays.
The spokeswoman said the changes would deliver certainty for the RAAF and the airport.
"Additionally, [Air Marshal Binskin] is positioning [the] air force for future requirements," she said.
The defence review followed Mr Smith's safety concerns about a proposal for the airport to operate without a radar display and air traffic controllers over the recent Christmas holidays while RAAF members were on leave.
The safety authority approved the plan for the airport to run its own radio service but Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon overturned the decision at the last minute and ordered the RAAF to supply the radio service to ensure public confidence.
Defence declined to release its review to The Herald, citing confidential information in it.
The spokeswoman said the review confirmed the safety authority's findings that a radio service, including those arrangements in place in the last RAAF operational standby, were safe.
Those arrangements would apply again during the standby this year, when it was likely the radar display would again undergo maintenance, she said.
Newcastle Airport aviation services manager Graham Giddey said the review was further proof the airport operated safely, despite Mr Smith's criticisms.
Mr Giddey said the changes would enhance services as the airport expanded.
This little snipet showed up this morning.
DEFENCE-operated air traffic control services at Newcastle Airport will be extended to include weekends, holidays and the Defence Christmas break, under changes planned by the Chief of Air Force.
Under the plans, the RAAF would increase its staff to enable it to provide its air traffic control service 16 hours a day, seven days, throughout the year.
A Defence spokeswoman said extension of the service was the main recommendation of the recent confidential RAAF review of Williamtown air traffic control arrangements.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin has endorsed the move and the Federal Government has been advised of his intention to seek the necessary extra resources.
The expense has not been determined. The cost of any services provided beyond the military's needs would be passed on to the airport, which would in turn pass it on to the industry.
But the changes are not expected to be ready before late 2010, missing the next month-long defence operational standby at the end of the year.
Aviator Dick Smith criticised the time line and said the changes should be implemented immediately.
"If a report has found the full [air traffic control] service is needed, then it is needed now," Mr Smith, a former chief of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, said.
Defence said it would have to recruit and train the extra air traffic controllers and technicians.
Last year, representatives told the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that Defence was experiencing a shortage of controllers.
The RAAF provides an air traffic control service from 8am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm Friday. It operates a certified air ground radio service from 4pm to 10pm on Friday and 10am to 7pm on weekends and public holidays.
Under the changes, air traffic control would be provided from 6am to 10pm each day, including public holidays.
The spokeswoman said the changes would deliver certainty for the RAAF and the airport.
"Additionally, [Air Marshal Binskin] is positioning [the] air force for future requirements," she said.
The defence review followed Mr Smith's safety concerns about a proposal for the airport to operate without a radar display and air traffic controllers over the recent Christmas holidays while RAAF members were on leave.
The safety authority approved the plan for the airport to run its own radio service but Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon overturned the decision at the last minute and ordered the RAAF to supply the radio service to ensure public confidence.
Defence declined to release its review to The Herald, citing confidential information in it.
The spokeswoman said the review confirmed the safety authority's findings that a radio service, including those arrangements in place in the last RAAF operational standby, were safe.
Those arrangements would apply again during the standby this year, when it was likely the radar display would again undergo maintenance, she said.
Newcastle Airport aviation services manager Graham Giddey said the review was further proof the airport operated safely, despite Mr Smith's criticisms.
Mr Giddey said the changes would enhance services as the airport expanded.
Last edited by OZBUSDRIVER; 11th May 2009 at 09:04. Reason: repaired link to FAIRFAX
Thats one air traffic black spot filled in and Avalon is also getting a better ATC presence. Now all we need is an acknowledgement that RPT and GA traffic shouldn't be self-separating in CTAFs and the system would be a whole lot safer.
ow all we need is an acknowledgement that RPT and GA traffic shouldn't be self-separating in CTAFs
I don't want to get off topic but that statement seems a little silly.
Didn't think that I needed to be that obvious considering that I included Avalon in the post but yes jet RPT. For those who are getting their flame throwers ready please indicate whether you have flown an RPT jet into a CTAF(R).
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Sounds like progress. 
We worked those airfield hours (6AM-10PM) Mon-Fri when I was first posted to Williamtown as an ATC in 1976....................
Weekends were slightly different - but a highlight was working 0600 till about 1400 on Staurdays, then going back to open up from 1900 to 2030 to work the evening Friendship arrival.
We worked those airfield hours (6AM-10PM) Mon-Fri when I was first posted to Williamtown as an ATC in 1976....................
Weekends were slightly different - but a highlight was working 0600 till about 1400 on Staurdays, then going back to open up from 1900 to 2030 to work the evening Friendship arrival.
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I guessed that this may be the eventual decision. It shows that there is some common sense out there after all. Some of the alternatives were not as practical.
Dick, please consider the RNZAF guys, you can't just get controllers to appear from nowhere, and don't you have a problem with the Willy controllers anyway?
Here's hoping this is the start of a wave of improvements.
Dick, please consider the RNZAF guys, you can't just get controllers to appear from nowhere, and don't you have a problem with the Willy controllers anyway?
Here's hoping this is the start of a wave of improvements.
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Lookleft
Maybe the many CTAF's that have Jet RPT do not need towers, but more the point they need TCAS they can rely on to suppliment the radio aided pilot seperation.
Ohhhhh........ hang on, that would mean that CTAF R's should then have a MANDATORY transponder requirement.
Would that make you happy? It would do me!
J
Maybe the many CTAF's that have Jet RPT do not need towers, but more the point they need TCAS they can rely on to suppliment the radio aided pilot seperation.
Ohhhhh........ hang on, that would mean that CTAF R's should then have a MANDATORY transponder requirement.
Would that make you happy? It would do me!
J
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Hand Willy and Richmond over to the civilians and pack the RAAF off to Scherger (sp) and Curtin! Give the RAAF controllers based there, the option of switching over to the civvy street no questions asked.
Build some parallel runways at both and there will be more than enough capacity for the Sydney basin for some time to come.
Of course there would be no votes in that, but think of the jobs it would create...
Build some parallel runways at both and there will be more than enough capacity for the Sydney basin for some time to come.
Of course there would be no votes in that, but think of the jobs it would create...
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Howie....
Best post I have seen in ages!
That would be a far better use of available assets. The Sydney region needs the space, and Scherger is an expensive once in a blue moon base.
But who would actually make it happen? And as for folk in the forces, they have that job on the understanding that they serve where ever they are sent. Too bad. Weipa is not all that bad. Good fishing!
Best post I have seen in ages!
That would be a far better use of available assets. The Sydney region needs the space, and Scherger is an expensive once in a blue moon base.
But who would actually make it happen? And as for folk in the forces, they have that job on the understanding that they serve where ever they are sent. Too bad. Weipa is not all that bad. Good fishing!
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Originally Posted by Jabawocky
And as for folk in the forces, they have that job on the understanding that they serve where ever they are sent. Too bad.
Tell ya what, we'll move Parliament to Weipa, and see how MP retention goes ...
I have never had a problem with the Willy ATC's- always found them fantastic.
My problem is with their superiors in Canberra who are so incompetent that they have never been able to introduce modern procedures and separation standards so that the controllers are allowed to provide an efficient service.
Probably the same type of Canberra people that lost one billion of taxpayers money on the seasprites!
My problem is with their superiors in Canberra who are so incompetent that they have never been able to introduce modern procedures and separation standards so that the controllers are allowed to provide an efficient service.
Probably the same type of Canberra people that lost one billion of taxpayers money on the seasprites!
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Another great idea........and the RAAF boys will be happy to protect them too! Weipa will be a great boom town then! 
And it seems like the bulk of the work is training, so apart from the trainers, the rest will move on anyway from Willy. Of course the trainers would need to be content.
Or how about they build a whole new base not so "remote" and free up willy for the public. Rudd and Swan would love to sell that to MacBank!
And it seems like the bulk of the work is training, so apart from the trainers, the rest will move on anyway from Willy. Of course the trainers would need to be content.
Or how about they build a whole new base not so "remote" and free up willy for the public. Rudd and Swan would love to sell that to MacBank!