Tougher controls over Avalon sky

[Lukas M]

Our Community has been over this issue for the past 4years, FINALLY!

AVALON Airport's control towers could be manned within months.
In a victory for entrepreneur and air safety watchdog Dick Smith, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority yesterday instructed the airport's management to activate its air traffic control services between 6am and 11pm.
Mr Smith threatened legal action last month in a bid to force Avalon management to man the control tower.
But CASA has left the decision of how to implement its airspace safety recommendations, tabled in a 100-page study of the airport's safety measures, with operator LinFox, Airservices Australia and chief tenant Jetstar.
"While we've set the parameters, in saying that it needs to be a controlled airspace, how it's achieved is up to them and we'll then decide whether those measures are acceptable," CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said.
"It's about recognising that Avalon Airport is growing rapidly as a passenger airport and the air traffic control needs to reflect that growth and its status as Victoria's second airport to Melbourne."
Avalon Airport general manager Tim Anderson said management had been happy with current air traffic control arrangements but would work to address the study's recommendations.
"We're pleased with the approach CASA have taken and we're in active discussions with Airservices Australia and Jetstar and in the near future we'll resolve our views and work through the issues highlighted in the study," Mr Anderson said.
"It's a bit early to say what the solutions might be though. There is radar control at the moment."
Jetstar corporate communications manager Simon Westaway said the airline would discuss the issues with Airservices Australia and LinFox but believed the recommendations would have little impact on operations.
Avalon's airspace control is currently operated from Melbourne Airport.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/...4013_news.html

[Alex G]

Awesome... the fifty dollar landing fees are going to go up even more now... Probably even get charged to just use the airspace too.....

Glad im not there any more.


Anyway, good to see that some form of control might come in, at times its badly needed!

[Lukas M]

I think JQ might even the fares up, like from $69 to $70

[Christopher R]

If GA operators 'in general' improved the way they communicate on the area frequencies and talked to the jet aircraft using the aerodrome there would be no need for a manned tower at the moment.

Maybe Dick Smith should also place some focus on his own section of the aviation industry (i.e. GA) on how to communicate more effectively?