Unicom
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
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I went into Port Mac with it and just thought it a PITA and a congestion on the radio. On taxi call, the UNICOM operator told me there was no traffic within the CTAF. I already knew that. The met info wasn't the same wind direction as the sock indicated, and if there had been several aircraft in the vicinity, it would have just become a nightmare. Just completely unnecessary IMHO...
I was very much tempted to jump on and ask for an airways clearance just to see what they would do....not very professional though, so I decided not to...
I was very much tempted to jump on and ask for an airways clearance just to see what they would do....not very professional though, so I decided not to...
I've only used it at PMQ, and found it to be pretty useless.
I wanted to know what the wind was on the ground, the bloke couldn't tell me. On another flight we had trouble cancelling SAR and asked the unicorn to do it for us. Nope, he couldn't do that either.
I am left wondering what the single-horned unicorn is for?
I wanted to know what the wind was on the ground, the bloke couldn't tell me. On another flight we had trouble cancelling SAR and asked the unicorn to do it for us. Nope, he couldn't do that either.
I am left wondering what the single-horned unicorn is for?
I have limited experience with Unicom type facilities. 1) Ayers Rock - relative little traffic - a jet or two inbound - quite useful. 2) Broome - reasonably busy (in my experience)
Yes you probably do have limited UNICOM experience - possibly none. Both Broome and Rock have CAGRO services. Different legislation and level of service.
Yes you probably do have limited UNICOM experience - possibly none. Both Broome and Rock have CAGRO services. Different legislation and level of service.
I did say "Unicom type" services - cause I couldn't remember "CAGRO"!
.......... and the significant difference between the two is what?
CAGRO (?)
A CA/GRS provides the following:
- advice of relevant air traffic in the airspace or on the aerodrome
- aerodrome information, including: the runway preferred by wind or noise abatement requirements
- cloud base and visibility
- wind direction and speed
- present weather
- temperature
- QNH
- runway surface conditions
- other operational information
- for departing aircraft, a time check.
A CA/GRO may also provide other information
requested by pilots.
UNICOM
Unicom services, which include traffic information,
provide the following benefits:
a. Pilots receive confirmation that they are transmitting on the correct
frequency. This alleviates the concern with broadcast only procedures of
not closing the communication loop.
b. Pilots’ situational awareness is enhanced with information on reported or
observed aircraft in the area who are not broadcasting and on other
airfield activities or movements not otherwise notified.
c. Provide updated general weather information that allows pilots to plan
ahead for approaches, missed approaches or diversions as appropriate.
provide the following benefits:
a. Pilots receive confirmation that they are transmitting on the correct
frequency. This alleviates the concern with broadcast only procedures of
not closing the communication loop.
b. Pilots’ situational awareness is enhanced with information on reported or
observed aircraft in the area who are not broadcasting and on other
airfield activities or movements not otherwise notified.
c. Provide updated general weather information that allows pilots to plan
ahead for approaches, missed approaches or diversions as appropriate.
F*ck all!
Dr 
Last edited by ForkTailedDrKiller; 11th Mar 2009 at 23:54.
A cynic might argue that ASA has set up the Unicom service to fail.
Makes it hard to provide a service that is appreciated.
- Lack of real time WX info ... at least in the example above
- Until recently, Unicom not permitted to view manouvering area ... at least at Wagga & Dubbo
Makes it hard to provide a service that is appreciated.
