Hi folks As the current GFA radio orifcer, probably time I ended the speculation...
Firstly, the current position as some have correctly reported, is that all aircraft frequencies are class licensed. Unfortunately however, the entire aeronautical band is not included in the class licence. These additional gliding frequencies are not covered by the aviation class licence so the ACA could allow them to be used temporarily for Benalla. This has been the story so far in trying to get the extra frequencies, - I've requested them from the ACA - ACA says ask Airservices if they mind - Airsevices don't mind - ACA says they are not covered by a class licence but we can have them, but every glider that wants to use them has to pay an annual licence fee - per frequency, and an application fee, to use them - I say "you're kidding" that isn't going to happen - they shrug - I go back to Airservices and say "what can we do to add these frequencies to your class licence because the ACA want to charge each glider lots of money" - Airservices say "that's silly - we'll see what we can do" - I've spoken to other senior people in the ACA who are trying to sort out the process from their end. A lot of the problem is that the ACA are a govt body who have undergone many changes recently, including who works in the relevent departments for this stuff. You need to work through to a senior enough level because no-one wants to stick their necks out and ruin their careers. I have nothing but praise for the spectrum guys in Airservices who are doing their best to help us. So guys, things are certainly happening. Please don't say nasty things about the GFA not doing things because we are all the GFA. I was asked to do this job because I work in Telecommunications and build licensed radio networks so I know my way around the ACA a bit. Like many people in the organisation, I'm a volunteer with a bit of relevent experience in radio, so I said I'd have a go at helping out. Of course my report was given to the GFA AGM so anyone who cares about this could have read it before assuming GFA was doing nothing. Knocking volunteers who stick up their hand to do jobs for our sport and get nothing in return but feel they enjoy gliding enough to try to put something back, really is a bit rough. -Cath _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
