Those were the days
Thread Starter
Those were the days
I have just been reading again the book “Call of the Kyeema” by Doug Whitfield, which tells the story of the early days of DCA and Flight Service. I particularly like this bit in relation to Alice Springs in 1970:
I can see why the Review of Resources was so successful. Imagine if the industry had to pay for all that!
“The staff included six flight service radio operators, three flight service briefing office operators, three communication officers to operate the teleprinter circuits, three administration staff, twelve airport groundsmen, three district airport inspectors, three mechanics, three electrical tradesmen, six radio technicians, and an officer in charge. An air traffic control unit was about to commence full operations, and with it would be six to eight air traffic controllers to add to the list.”
Thread Starter
If I remember correctly in those days we had Airnav charges which cost a lump some of about $3k a year for a twin Comanche
Last edited by Dick Smith; 16th May 2022 at 14:25.
A bit disingenuous as it ignores the staffing requirements for shift work and the functions filled today by the airport staff and the geographic coverage provided by technical staff at the time.
Really
I have just been reading again the book “Call of the Kyeema” by Doug Whitfield, which tells the story of the early days of DCA and Flight Service. I particularly like this bit in relation to Alice Springs in 1970:
I
can see why the Review of Resources was so successful. Imagine if the industry had to pay for all that!
I
can see why the Review of Resources was so successful. Imagine if the industry had to pay for all that!
FSUs were a home away from home on those numerous all day charters in winter. No motels provided in those days, most FSU's made visiting pilots welcome to find a spot in the warm on those miserable days, make a cuppa or just have a chat. Devenport, Wynyard, Mildura, Broken Hill, Mt. Gambier, Leigh Creek, Cooma, Broken Hill particularly. I worked out of King Island for just over a year in the early 70's and spent many nights staying in the OIC 's DCA house, Brian Jones, great guy. Remember many times trying to cancel SAR in the circuit late at night on arrival at KI and getting Dubbo, or Mt. Isa or Carnarvon or Tennant Creek on HF. Great Service from all those Ladies and Gents.
Last edited by deja vu; 16th May 2022 at 14:19.
Thread Starter
The friendly FSO at Ceduna in 1984 loaned me his car so I could drive into town and get some lunch.
At Dubbo they would call a taxi
Those were the days!
At Dubbo they would call a taxi
Those were the days!
I spent my 21st birthday out of the winter chill, with the boys in the King Island FSU.
Apart from the 6 FSO's (the 3 briefing officers were more likely Met guys employed by BoM), the industry is still paying for most of that, just not directly. Apparently those were the days, because since that "problem" was fixed, the industry has done nothing but complain about how much the present system costs and how little value they get out of it. That Review of Resources was a triumph all right.
FSUs were a home away from home on those numerous all day charters in winter. No motels provided in those days, most FSU's made visiting pilots welcome to find a spot in the warm on those miserable days, make a cuppa or just have a chat. Devenport, Wynyard, Mildura, Broken Hill, Mt. Gambier, Leigh Creek, Cooma, Broken Hill particularly. I worked out of King Island for just over a year in the early 70's and spent many nights staying in the OIC 's DCA house, Brian Jones, great guy. Remember many times trying to cancel SAR in the circuit late at night on arrival at KI and getting Dubbo, or Mt. Isa or Carnarvon or Tennant Creek on HF. Great Service from all those Ladies and Gents.
Apart from the 6 FSO's (the 3 briefing officers were more likely Met guys employed by BoM), the industry is still paying for most of that, just not directly. Apparently those were the days, because since that "problem" was fixed, the industry has done nothing but complain about how much the present system costs and how little value they get out of it. That Review of Resources was a triumph all right.
Can I go all Vag on you? Please define “the present system” and “the industry” and please cite some authoritative source for your assertion that “the industry” has done “nothing but complain” about how much “the present system costs”.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Location: Unfortunately, now back in 'the real world' of Australia, as all good things must eventually come to an end. Looking forward to returning to Japan next year, but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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Still had a wad of Flight Plan forms (remember what those were?) with Stolen from Ceduna FSU written across the folder cover.
cite some authoritative source for your assertion that “the industry” has done “nothing but complain” about how much “the present system costs”.
I was glad that Alice Springs FSU was there in mid 70s when I had to leave an oil rig in the middle of the night that was half way between Alice and Broome with a snake bite victim on board.
They organised everything, relayed info from the medical people and had the ambulance waiting in Alice. Even arranged to the taxi to take me into town.
They organised everything, relayed info from the medical people and had the ambulance waiting in Alice. Even arranged to the taxi to take me into town.
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Those were the days.
Flew into Parafield in 1962 and asked the FSU officer where nearest hotel was for overnight accomodation. Was taken upstairs in the tower and given free use of the itinerant pilot quarters . Was a fully equiped flat for two.
Those really were the days.
Those really were the days.
And today there are no public toilets at Parafield. I kid you not.
’Progress’.
’Progress’.
