AIP index removal
Thread Starter
AIP index removal
I operate commercial aircraft a few times per week. As with any other aviation professional safety is my absolute priority.
I regularly access many different tools to maintain the safety of my operation, to make sure I'm doing everything correctly. Often my first stop is AIP, which also often clears up what I need to know. I go to the index, find the topic I'm looking for, and there is the reference. Easy and efficient safety.
I recently inserted the latest AIP update (02 MAR 2017). Imagine my surprise when I looked in the back to find there is no index! Not only that but they have replaced it with 10 pages of blank paper!
It is now much harder for me to find the information I require. I know this sounds like splitting hairs, but it really is much more difficult to clarify things.
I'll say this clearly. Removing the AIP index has made it more difficult for me to keep my operation safe.
I contacted Airservices with my concern and was told the index was removed because it is a 'time consuming manual process'. Poor dears. Coincidently they have recently engaged a new printing company to produce this material. It doesnt take much imagination to see that the index has been removed as a way to save on publishing costs.
I was also told by Airservices that because it is a manual process, including the index creates more opportunity for error. An extremely thin argument that removing the index was a step forward in safety.
Does anyone else share my concerns? Can anyone suggest someone specific I could contact about this? I have contacted CASA and am awaiting a reply.
I regularly access many different tools to maintain the safety of my operation, to make sure I'm doing everything correctly. Often my first stop is AIP, which also often clears up what I need to know. I go to the index, find the topic I'm looking for, and there is the reference. Easy and efficient safety.
I recently inserted the latest AIP update (02 MAR 2017). Imagine my surprise when I looked in the back to find there is no index! Not only that but they have replaced it with 10 pages of blank paper!
It is now much harder for me to find the information I require. I know this sounds like splitting hairs, but it really is much more difficult to clarify things.
I'll say this clearly. Removing the AIP index has made it more difficult for me to keep my operation safe.
I contacted Airservices with my concern and was told the index was removed because it is a 'time consuming manual process'. Poor dears. Coincidently they have recently engaged a new printing company to produce this material. It doesnt take much imagination to see that the index has been removed as a way to save on publishing costs.
I was also told by Airservices that because it is a manual process, including the index creates more opportunity for error. An extremely thin argument that removing the index was a step forward in safety.
Does anyone else share my concerns? Can anyone suggest someone specific I could contact about this? I have contacted CASA and am awaiting a reply.
I'd suggest you contact Jeppesen.
Have you considered going to an electronic AIP copy on your iPad?
I assume the other reason they've binned the index is because many people have electronic copies now. Don't need an index if you can search for terms yourself.
I assume the other reason they've binned the index is because many people have electronic copies now. Don't need an index if you can search for terms yourself.
Does anyone else share my concerns?
Not having an Auto-Index in this day and age is non-sensical. Word Perfect could do indexs 15 years ago.
Thread Starter
Have you considered going to an electronic AIP copy on your iPad?
I have, and I do use it. But I prefer the hardcopy complete with my tags etc.
I still pay the same amount for my subscription, but now I get less.
Don't need an index if you can search for terms yourself.
By that logic they could save even more money by not printing charts any more. My iPad does that too.
I'm guessing the index used to be prepared by some of those useless back-office staff who contributed nothing to safety.
It is bad enough trying to find any AIP reference WITH the Index as it stands let alone without it.
This pile of lawyer-speak vomitous verbiage is already a travesty and yet exemplifies the beauracracy in control of Oz aviation.
This is a step too far by a pen pushing public servant in the name of costs & margins.
If you are responsible for writing this AIP then you are responsible for keeping someone employed to arrange and index your drivel.
SAFETY.
This pile of lawyer-speak vomitous verbiage is already a travesty and yet exemplifies the beauracracy in control of Oz aviation.
This is a step too far by a pen pushing public servant in the name of costs & margins.
If you are responsible for writing this AIP then you are responsible for keeping someone employed to arrange and index your drivel.
SAFETY.
Last edited by ramble on; 10th Mar 2017 at 19:39.
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Ah, the AIP and changes. It used to be an easy document to use in the dark ages ... but then CASA, when Buck was in the Chair, revamped it mightily and it went downhill from then .. I never quite worked out why it came to be an AirServices document.
Maybe I'm just an old dinosaur .... ?
Maybe I'm just an old dinosaur .... ?
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A formal response to a RAPAC inquiry:
Cc: Docs, Amend
Subject: RE: AIP Amendment 90 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Good morning,
The index has been removed from the AIP Book. Indexing of the publication is a time consuming and manual process that has an increased risk of errors being published. It is not required by ICAO. The Table of Contents is comprehensive and provides more information than is required by ICAO.
Regards,
Aeronautical Information Officer
Airservices Australia
Subject: RE: AIP Amendment 90 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Good morning,
The index has been removed from the AIP Book. Indexing of the publication is a time consuming and manual process that has an increased risk of errors being published. It is not required by ICAO. The Table of Contents is comprehensive and provides more information than is required by ICAO.
Regards,
Aeronautical Information Officer
Airservices Australia
Thank God ....I'm now purely 'VFR', and in 'bug smashers' at that.....
Can't remember any of this CRAP any more....and don't want to.....
Its troo....I've forgotten more than I'll ever know......
No Cheers,...nope...none at all..!!!
Can't remember any of this CRAP any more....and don't want to.....
Its troo....I've forgotten more than I'll ever know......
No Cheers,...nope...none at all..!!!
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I guess the key point in the response is:"It is not required by ICAO". So here we are: a bit of cost savings, a marginal increase in KPI's and a pat on the back from the boss. Someone's got an employee of the month award for that 
On the other hand - I always found that index convoluted and misleading, so no hard feelings.
On the other hand - I always found that index convoluted and misleading, so no hard feelings.
