At 01:32 22/02/2006, Graeme Cant wrote:
By the way:
If more near misses were reported and publicised as you apparently
wish, all that would happen would be that CASA would drastically
curtail our operating areas (small glider danger areas would be
declared in about a dozen locations and gliding anywhere else would
be prohibited). CASA would not accept the risk we pose to other
traffic in the way we currently operate if they really understood what goes on.
This is quite simply a consignment of ancient testicles (i.e. a load
of old bollocks). If Graeme thinks he poses such a threat to other
traffic, what is he going to do about it? CASA is well aware of the
relative risks that sport & recreational aviation poses and
legislates to minimise the risks to ground-based "innocent
bystanders" and to other airspace users. Now, as always since the GFA
was formed, there are a number (at least 7) of active glider pilots
in significant jobs in CASA to be able to accurately assess and
represent the realities to senior management.
Provided gliders use the same procedures in Class A, C and D airspace
as other traffic, and behave responsibly in Class G and Class E in
VMC, there is no problem and no unacceptable risk.
The efforts of glider pilots to develop devices such as Flarm, and to
enable it to interact with ADS-B, shows how responsible they are.
(Incidentally, the first 4 ADS-B ground stations will commence
operation around mid-year (THIS year!) with the RPT fleet to be
equipped by around mid-2007 and GA likely to follow by the end of
2009. Provision of ADS-B transmitters for General Aviation is a
commercial decision for Airservices, based on safety cost analyses
yet to be completed.
Anybody who flies in a way that poses a threat to other traffic,
please identify yourself here and then get re-trained!
We have no shortage of airline pilots and Air Traffic Controllers
flying gliders to know what goes on and to present the professional
knowledge to the gliding community. (Still, New Zealand has out-done
us with a glider pilot - Max Stevens - retiring recently from the
position of Deputy Director of Civil Aviation).
Wombat
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