[Peetwo]

Former miniscule for non-aviation Albo on 900 ASA job cuts -

Via Fran Kelly & RN, from 06:45 on MP3 recording :

'We need to be vigilant' about air safety: Albanese

• Listen now(Link will open in new window)
  
• Download audio
  

Broadcast:Wednesday 2 November 2016 8:06AM (view full episode)
Image: Anthony Albanese (ABC News: James Dunlevie) Link to larger image.Image: Anthony Albanese (ABC News: James Dunlevie)
900 workers—nearly a quarter of the workforce—have been earmarked for redundancy at Airservices Australia, which is responsible for air traffic control and airport emergency services.

The planned job cuts have sparked widespread concerns about aviation safety.
Darren Chester says pilots and unions are scaring the flying public with inaccurate and irresponsible warnings about the impact on safety.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese, says he has concerns about the cuts.
'I'm also concerned about the broader issue here, which is if you cut the jobs of people, the engineers and support staff, are you going to just end up having to pay people more when they're contracted out and brought in at higher fees?' he says

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Ha ha ha. Albo and safety?? You gotta be kidding me. This buffoon has had his chance and he is another abject failure. Like der der der Darren, Albo wouldn't know safety if it crawled up his pants leg and bit him on his tiny sausage!

Cue the 'Albo hands in the air montage'!!

[Peetwo]

Update: Pollys on air safety & Airservices Australia.

Former miniscule for non-aviation Albo on 900 ASA job cuts -

Via Fran Kelly & RN, from 06:45 on MP3 recording :

'We need to be vigilant' about air safety: Albanese

• Listen now(Link will open in new window)
  
• Download audio
  

Broadcast:Wednesday 2 November 2016 8:06AM (view full episode)
Image: Anthony Albanese (ABC News: James Dunlevie) Link to larger image.Image: Anthony Albanese (ABC News: James Dunlevie)
900 workers—nearly a quarter of the workforce—have been earmarked for redundancy at Airservices Australia, which is responsible for air traffic control and airport emergency services.

The planned job cuts have sparked widespread concerns about aviation safety.
Darren Chester says pilots and unions are scaring the flying public with inaccurate and irresponsible warnings about the impact on safety.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese, says he has concerns about the cuts.
'I'm also concerned about the broader issue here, which is if you cut the jobs of people, the engineers and support staff, are you going to just end up having to pay people more when they're contracted out and brought in at higher fees?' he says

Ha ha ha. Albo and safety?? You gotta be kidding me. This buffoon has had his chance and he is another abject failure. Like der der der Darren, Albo wouldn't know safety if it crawled up his pants leg and bit him on his tiny sausage!

Cue the 'Albo hands in the air montage'!!



&..

Next from NX at AIPA dinner -

Courtesy - Robyn Ironside, National Aviation Writer, News Corp Australia Network

November 3, 2016 10:00pm

[img=0x0]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/article/a8ebe13e6d86479750b8145655929969?esi=true&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_storyheader/index&t_product=CourierMail&td_device=desktop[/img]...OUTSPOKEN Senator Nick Xenophon has called for an Inspector General of Aviation Safety to be appointed ahead of massive cuts to Airservices Australia.

Addressing the annual dinner of the Australian and International Pilots Association, Senator Xenophon said another level of oversight was needed, as the organisation responsible for air traffic control prepares to slash 900 jobs, or almost a quarter of its workforce.

Although the positions earmarked to go are described as “back room” jobs, Senator Xenophon said pilots, engineers and Air Traffic Controllers had raised concerns with him.

Qantas pilots applauded Nick Xenophon for his frank speech at their annual dinner. Unknown if pilots pictured were in attendance. Picture: Supplied

He said it was only three years ago, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority considered withdrawing Airservices Australia’s approval to operate air traffic control in Australian skies because of deficiencies identified in hundreds of incidents.

“One hopes the systemic issues identified have been addressed now that Airservices is subject to more oversight and regular audits,” he said..

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Team NX really are connected with the 'people' aren't they? Nick gets it, no doubt about it. But he doesn't have enough firepower to really do what needs to be done, hence the required ongoing support from the industry. So I applaud him and also those pilots who supported his speech.

From Saint Nick;

"Although the positions earmarked to go are described as “back room” jobs, Senator Xenophon said pilots, engineers and Air Traffic Controllers had raised concerns with him".

Interesting how DDDDDarren calls it 'union scaremongering', yet Nick calls it 'serious safety concerns'. The proposition of an Inspector General is tangible, but a Junior Minister for Aviation such as the esteemed David Fawcett ticks all the boxes!

But in the meantime, in the lead up to the next Senate estimates, perhaps the Senators could ask ASA to provide a comprehensive list of each and every one of the 900 redundant positions, what that persons Position Description entailed (in full and transparent detail), and then perhaps give that information (with names redacted) to an independent external organisation (one that is not in the Governments back pocket) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of that component of 'accelerate'?

In reality the only thing I see 'accelerating' c/o Electric Blue and Sir Anus is an acceleration of the race to the bottom, an acceleration of the executives salaries and bonuses, an acceleration of the time taken to race to the trough, an acceleration of Halfwits dress sense from completely ludicrous to utter shit, and an acceleration of incoming PFOS lawsuits......and these knobs reckon they are 'match fit'? More like 'match shit'. Or should that be 'match lit' and ASA is in flames? Tick tock tossers.

'Safe foot off the accelerator pedal for all'

[Peetwo]

Aussie SSP Safety issue No.?? - Bogus radio calls YMML -  

By Ben Sveen via ABC online:

Passenger plane forced to abort landing after receiving hoax radio call at Melbourne Airport
By the National Reporting Team's Benjamin Sveen
Mon 7 Nov 2016, 4:54pm

Photo: There were 15 unauthorised transmissions, the ABC understands. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo)
Related Story: Air traffic safety fears raised over plans to axe 900 jobs

Map: Melbourne 3000
The Australian Federal Police has launched an investigation after someone made hoax calls to pilots, causing a passenger flight to abort landing as it approached Melbourne Airport.

Key points:

• The passenger plane was about 80 metres from the runway when it pulled up
  
• Police are yet to make any arrests in relation to the hoax calls
  
• The ABC understands the person was able to communicate with planes and control towers
  

The incident occurred shortly after 5:00pm on October 27, when Virgin Australia flight 740, en route from the Gold Coast to Melbourne, changed its altitude and course under the instruction of the unauthorised person transmitting from an unknown location.

The ABC understands that 15 unauthorised transmissions occurred over a two-week period. Calls were received by both aircraft and Melbourne Air Traffic Services Centre.

It is believed the person found a way to tap into the air traffic control frequency and communicate directly with planes and control towers.

Police are yet to make any arrests in relation to the incidents.

Flight data from FlightRadar24 shows the plane came within 275 feet of the runway at 5:19pm as it approached Tullamarine Airport.

Three minutes later, online records show the plane climbed to 3,800 feet and started circling over north-west Melbourne.

Later that evening, the hoax caller impersonated the pilot of a light aircraft. He issued a mayday call and pretended to be experiencing engine trouble.     

Other videos

Video: Hoax caller pretending to be in a light plane in trouble (ABC News)

The ABC has obtained audio from the Melbourne tower radio transmission where air traffic control personnel can be heard scrambling to assess the mayday call.

The air traffic controller initially struggles to hear the position reference given before sighting the light aircraft which the unauthorised individual is pretending to pilot.

"I can see you there now. Roger your mayday. Could you please advise what your situation is?" The air traffic control operator asks.

"Engine failure," the hoax caller replies. "Descending 4500."

Do you know more about this story? Email investigations@abc.net.au

Twenty seconds later, the air traffic control personnel transmit an announcement for pilots to ignore the transmission which they have determined to be malicious.

The ABC understands further malicious radio calls were made after these events on frequencies that the ABC has been unable to access.

Inquiries were first made by the ABC after receiving a tip from an Airservices source who said "the engineers who used to manage technical issues aren't around to provide advice or assist" air traffic controllers when these disturbing incidents occurred.

Hoax calls very rare but 'a huge concern'

The Virgin Independent Pilot Association (VIPA) has confirmed that it received concerns from its members about the incident and has passed these concerns onto Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

"It's a huge concern. Flight safety is a paramount concern to everyone and if there's an unauthorised person making illegal transmissions around an airport that could create confusion and subsequently a safety incident," said VIPA's President John Lyons.

Mr Lyons said while hoax calls to pilots in Australia happen were very rare, this matter needed to be treated very seriously.

"I mean if an aircraft is instructed to 'go round', if a pilot hears the instruction, he has no choice but to follow that instruction," he said.

"The aircraft would be fully configured in its landing configuration from about 1,500 feet, and at 270 odd feet it would have received clearance to land from the legitimate controller."

"It's very unusual to be given a 'go around' instruction at such a late point."

An Airservices Australia spokeswoman told the ABC "the matter is being investigated and it would not be appropriate to comment further".

After the malicious calls began, authorities notified all affected airlines, pilots and air traffic controllers that hoax caller was still at large and instructions were given to ignore his instructions.

Airservices Australia, the Government-owned organisation responsible for aviation traffic at major airports, is currently in the process of laying off 900 workers.

Over 500 positions have been made redundant to date.

Virgin Australia declined to comment.

MTF...P2

[Kharon]

Quite a story.

Remember when some elements of society thought it was great sport to lob half bricks off bridges spanning motorways (‘freeways’) onto passing vehicles, the potential for accident and carnage on a mega scale was huge. Deciding prevention was better than cure, fences and such like were, at great expense, put in place.  If you thought the practice of ‘bombing’ cars was highly dangerous you were right – then the notion of illegally sending a loaded passenger aircraft ‘around’, from a short final to landing should fill you with terror.

At peak period the air traffic ‘pattern’ or ‘flow’ at major airports  is a very, very carefully coordinated, heavily monitored and managed; even a small element of ‘upset’ can create a knock on effect which has implications – usually this sort of thing results in delay while separation standards are re-established. Before the disruption, ATCO have carefully ensured separation – which allows for unforeseen elements – there are plans in place to deal with even the worst case scenario’s – say even an accident on the runway.  These folk are bloody good at what they do – provided – they have ‘control’ and everyone obeys instructions and rules. Same-same traffic lights; what would happen at a busy intersection if someone unauthorized, with malicious intent, had direct control of those lights?  

An ‘overshoot’ or ‘go-around’ is a normal, routine, rehearsed event and it happens; relatively often.  Strictly a ‘no sweat’ event, especially at controlled aerodromes where ATC automatically build in a ‘buffer’ to allow for the event – for every aircraft – every time. Pilots are tuned to ATC ‘control’ – a call such as SkyPie 123 – Go-Around – will be automatically and almost immediately complied with – bitching and cursing beginning once clear of the terrain.  Despite the fluency of cussing at being sent around – these things usually happen in a safe, orderly manner, but the dynamics are scary. A passenger jet – (non specific) will, at Take Off power (TOGA) be doing somewhere between 320 to 500 KpH ‘forward’; and somewhere between 1500 to 4000 feet, per minute, - ‘up’. The thing is moving – very quickly - through a tightly packed, small airspace and nobody messes about on, or rarely questions a ‘go around’ instruction.

You do not need much imagination to see the potential for a real disaster happening.

Even the most bleeding of hearts would concede interfering with ATC operations is not just a mischievous ‘prank’.  No matter the motive; this event should be treated as an act of terrorism, the perpetrator(s), shown no mercy and penalised to full extent of the law, and be grateful there is ‘law’ to protect their rights, from the likes of me. This crime has the potential to kill upwards of 400 people as a result of mid air collision, the many tons of falling debris over a city the potential to kill, maim and injure many, many more. This ‘game’ needs to be stopped, now. The ‘minister’ must throw every resource available at this event, before the unthinkable happens. No joke, the clock is ticking.

Toot toot.

[Peetwo]

Update to hoax radio calls -

Kharon -  "..Even the most bleeding of hearts would concede interfering with ATC operations is not just a mischievous ‘prank’.  No matter the motive; this event should be treated as an act of terrorism, the perpetrator(s), shown no mercy and penalised to full extent of the law, and be grateful there is ‘law’ to protect their rights, from the likes of me..."

Well said Ferryman and despite ASA bleating bollocks statements about no "compromising of safety at anytime", it would seem the Feds have a similar take to the "K" quote above and have subsequently issued a very hard-line join press statement today -  

Via Oz Aviation:

Federal Police investigating bogus radio calls at Melbourne and Avalon airports
November 8, 2016 by australianaviation.com.au
 
A file image of the scene from inside the Melbourne Tullamarine air traffic control tower. (Airservices)

Federal police are seeking public help to uncover who is behind 15 unauthorised radio transmissions with aircraft and air traffic controllers at Melbourne and Avalon airports.

The Australian Federal Police says it is investigating the rogue radio broadcasts that have occurred at the two airports in recent weeks.

In a joint-statement with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and Airservices, AFP head of crime operations acting assistant commissioner Chris Sheehan said the incidents were being treated “extremely seriously”.

“The AFP, Airservices, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the aviation industry are all committed to ensuring the safety of the travelling public,” Sheehan said in a statement.

“These incidents are being thoroughly investigated by the AFP, with technical support from the ACMA.

“The airlines have been briefed to ensure the advice has been passed on to their pilots and to ensure appropriate measures are in place.”

Sheehan said there were appropriate procedures, processes and systems in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations at airports in Victoria and across the country, as well as air travellers.

Airservices said in the statement that “at no time was safety jeopardised as a result of these calls”, adding that it was working closely with the AFP and the airlines on the matter.

The statement said the person responsible for the unauthorised transmissions faced up to 20 years’ jail.

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

In the audio of one incident obtained by the ABC, someone pretending to be a pilot can be heard telling air traffic control his aircraft has suffered an engine failure.

Another incident involved a flight from Gold Coast to Melbourne where pilots of the aircraft aborted their landing after receiving instructions from someone pretending to be air traffic control.

From my reading of these 15 X hoax radio call incidents, it would seem that initially the AFP, ASA & ACMA were trying to keep their investigations under wraps, fearing perhaps a spate of copycat type incidents.

This is also evident by the fact that what should normally trigger a compulsory ATSB IRM or at least a RRP, does not appear to have occurred or is being purposedly withheld off the ATSB Aviation occurrence database. 

So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders -  


MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

P2;

"So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders"

And I wonder what level of action CAsA, as the over sighting authority of ASA, will undertake?

It's all very exciting really. Perhaps Beaker has a new job and has joined ASA as an ATC and has simply made a few 'wrong calls' by mistake? Did any of the rogue calls contain words including mi mi mi mi?

"Unsafe airwaves for all"

[Gobbledock]

More from the Sir An(g)us and Electric Blue PFOS diaries as reported today.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-08...rt/8006952

The Department of Defence has released a report into the water quality of 12 sites around Australia located near contaminated Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases.


It is the second major round of investigations into the impact of the chemicals used in fire retardant at the Air Force bases.

It comes long after residents in two Queensland and NSW towns were alerted to significant contamination of their groundwater.

It examines 12 RAAF sites around Australia where the toxins perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) used on the bases have potentially seeped into the groundwater.

Opposition assistant spokeswoman for defence Gai Brodtmann slammed the timing of the report.

"This report was finished four months ago and it was released to state and government agencies and local councils, and the local communities were kept completely in the dark.

"We've been calling on the Turnbull Government to release it, to provide the communities that live around these 12 Defence sites with some certainty.

"They've been very concerned about the impact on their homes, on their businesses and their health."
The preliminary sampling report looks at whether the residential groundwater and surface water at those sites contain the potentially hazardous chemicals at levels exceeding safe environmental guidelines.

The report shows groundwater — or drinking water — at the bases in Townsville, Garden Island off the Western Australian coast, and Tindal near Katherine do exceed those levels.

Scientists critical of report's methodology
However, scientists question Defence's methodology, arguing it has made up its own guidelines.

Dr Mariann Lloyd Smith from the National Toxins Network said that means it is not in line with international safe drinking water standards.

She also pointed to a new report released by the New Jersey Drinking Water Quality Institute today that sets limits for safe drinking water in the US state.

She said it is of great concern here since Australia has set a safe drinking water level 78 times higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency.

"They have said that the US EPA's figure of the 70 parts per trillion … is far from protective enough and they are particularly concerned about the most sensitive populations.

"They have gone on to set a much lower figure, one of 14 parts per trillion, which is decidedly lower than the US EPA's one."

"I really do think we need to again to review Australia's standard as a matter of urgency."
Contamination fallout being 'managed' by Defence
The release of the Defence Department report on Tuesday comes after Northern Territory federal Labor representatives lobbied Defence to inform Darwin and Katherine residents about potential contamination.

In NSW, a Nationals senator has teamed up with federal Labor members in calling on Defence to take action over the Williamtown RAAF base contamination.

In Queensland, Greens Senator Larissa Waters today provided a statement accusing Defence of being sluggish on the issue.

But the federal LNP member for Groom, John McVeigh, said Defence has been thorough.

"It's a painstaking process to work out the potential impact of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) chemicals," said Mr McVeigh.

"I want to see it finished just as soon as possible, but given that it is so complex and despite the fact that some locals are frustrated with progress, I'm confident that we're getting to the bottom of it in the coming weeks or months."

More than 400 residents near the Williamtown RAAF base at Newcastle have launched a class action against Defence because of declining property values.

And residents in the town of Oakey in Queensland's Darling Downs are planning to do the same.

The residents' lawyer, Peter Shannon, said Defence's approach with this most recent report is markedly different to how they dealt with Oakey more than 12 months ago.

"I think Oakey were the guinea pigs, you might say," said Mr Shannon.

"It went so badly there, and I think that's something acknowledged by Defence about how badly it was handled.

But Mr Shannon said this shows Defence is now developing a management plan often employed by corporates.

"The Commonwealth now have a PFAS investigation and management branch specifically," he said.

"It also has a PFAS inter-departmental committee and program governance board.

"I mean, this is being managed."

Oh my, I hope Sir Anus and Electric Blue have a decent compensation fund put aside? Tick Tock you muppets.

[Peetwo]

Update to hoax radio calls -

Kharon -  "..Even the most bleeding of hearts would concede interfering with ATC operations is not just a mischievous ‘prank’.  No matter the motive; this event should be treated as an act of terrorism, the perpetrator(s), shown no mercy and penalised to full extent of the law, and be grateful there is ‘law’ to protect their rights, from the likes of me..."

Well said Ferryman and despite ASA bleating bollocks statements about no "compromising of safety at anytime", it would seem the Feds have a similar take to the "K" quote above and have subsequently issued a very hard-line join press statement today -  

Via Oz Aviation:

Federal Police investigating bogus radio calls at Melbourne and Avalon airports
November 8, 2016 by australianaviation.com.au
 
A file image of the scene from inside the Melbourne Tullamarine air traffic control tower. (Airservices)

Federal police are seeking public help to uncover who is behind 15 unauthorised radio transmissions with aircraft and air traffic controllers at Melbourne and Avalon airports.

The Australian Federal Police says it is investigating the rogue radio broadcasts that have occurred at the two airports in recent weeks.

In a joint-statement with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and Airservices, AFP head of crime operations acting assistant commissioner Chris Sheehan said the incidents were being treated “extremely seriously”.

“The AFP, Airservices, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the aviation industry are all committed to ensuring the safety of the travelling public,” Sheehan said in a statement.

“These incidents are being thoroughly investigated by the AFP, with technical support from the ACMA.

“The airlines have been briefed to ensure the advice has been passed on to their pilots and to ensure appropriate measures are in place.”

Sheehan said there were appropriate procedures, processes and systems in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations at airports in Victoria and across the country, as well as air travellers.

Airservices said in the statement that “at no time was safety jeopardised as a result of these calls”, adding that it was working closely with the AFP and the airlines on the matter.

The statement said the person responsible for the unauthorised transmissions faced up to 20 years’ jail.

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

In the audio of one incident obtained by the ABC, someone pretending to be a pilot can be heard telling air traffic control his aircraft has suffered an engine failure.

Another incident involved a flight from Gold Coast to Melbourne where pilots of the aircraft aborted their landing after receiving instructions from someone pretending to be air traffic control.

From my reading of these 15 X hoax radio call incidents, it would seem that initially the AFP, ASA & ACMA were trying to keep their investigations under wraps, fearing perhaps a spate of copycat type incidents.

This is also evident by the fact that what should normally trigger a compulsory ATSB IRM or at least a RRP, does not appear to have occurred or is being purposedly withheld off the ATSB Aviation occurrence database. 

So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders -  


MTF...P2

P2;

"So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders"

And I wonder what level of action CAsA, as the over sighting authority of ASA, will undertake?

It's all very exciting really. Perhaps Beaker has a new job and has joined ASA as an ATC and has simply made a few 'wrong calls' by mistake? Did any of the rogue calls contain words including mi mi mi mi?

"Unsafe airwaves for all"

[Gobbledock]

Another day, another PFOS issue.

"Katherine landholders have been offered alternate drinking water by the Department of Defence as investigations into possible water contamination from firefighting foam at Territory military bases continue".

http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-t...b09657f973

TICK TOCK Defence, TICK TOCK Sir Anus and Harfwit

[Peetwo]

Update to hoax radio calls -

Kharon -  "..Even the most bleeding of hearts would concede interfering with ATC operations is not just a mischievous ‘prank’.  No matter the motive; this event should be treated as an act of terrorism, the perpetrator(s), shown no mercy and penalised to full extent of the law, and be grateful there is ‘law’ to protect their rights, from the likes of me..."

Well said Ferryman and despite ASA bleating bollocks statements about no "compromising of safety at anytime", it would seem the Feds have a similar take to the "K" quote above and have subsequently issued a very hard-line join press statement today -  

Via Oz Aviation:

Federal Police investigating bogus radio calls at Melbourne and Avalon airports
November 8, 2016 by australianaviation.com.au
 
A file image of the scene from inside the Melbourne Tullamarine air traffic control tower. (Airservices)

Federal police are seeking public help to uncover who is behind 15 unauthorised radio transmissions with aircraft and air traffic controllers at Melbourne and Avalon airports.

The Australian Federal Police says it is investigating the rogue radio broadcasts that have occurred at the two airports in recent weeks.

In a joint-statement with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and Airservices, AFP head of crime operations acting assistant commissioner Chris Sheehan said the incidents were being treated “extremely seriously”.

“The AFP, Airservices, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the aviation industry are all committed to ensuring the safety of the travelling public,” Sheehan said in a statement.

“These incidents are being thoroughly investigated by the AFP, with technical support from the ACMA.

“The airlines have been briefed to ensure the advice has been passed on to their pilots and to ensure appropriate measures are in place.”

Sheehan said there were appropriate procedures, processes and systems in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations at airports in Victoria and across the country, as well as air travellers.

Airservices said in the statement that “at no time was safety jeopardised as a result of these calls”, adding that it was working closely with the AFP and the airlines on the matter.

The statement said the person responsible for the unauthorised transmissions faced up to 20 years’ jail.

Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information can be provided anonymously.

In the audio of one incident obtained by the ABC, someone pretending to be a pilot can be heard telling air traffic control his aircraft has suffered an engine failure.

Another incident involved a flight from Gold Coast to Melbourne where pilots of the aircraft aborted their landing after receiving instructions from someone pretending to be air traffic control.

From my reading of these 15 X hoax radio call incidents, it would seem that initially the AFP, ASA & ACMA were trying to keep their investigations under wraps, fearing perhaps a spate of copycat type incidents.

This is also evident by the fact that what should normally trigger a compulsory ATSB IRM or at least a RRP, does not appear to have occurred or is being purposedly withheld off the ATSB Aviation occurrence database. 

So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders -  


MTF...P2

P2;

"So now it is out in the open I wonder when the ATSB will be starting their transport safety investigation as the designated SSP first responders"

And I wonder what level of action CAsA, as the over sighting authority of ASA, will undertake?

It's all very exciting really. Perhaps Beaker has a new job and has joined ASA as an ATC and has simply made a few 'wrong calls' by mistake? Did any of the rogue calls contain words including mi mi mi mi?

"Unsafe airwaves for all"

Update 09/11/16: Via the Age

'He is a menace': Air traffic controller warns radio hoaxer may risk lives
November 9 2016 - 1:45AM
Chris Johnston, Broede Carmody and Nino Bucci

As the police hunt continues for a radio hoaxer who illegally communicated with aircraft over Melbourne continues with no new leads, an air traffic controller has broken ranks to warn the "menace" hoaxer could endanger lives.

The air traffic controller, emailing Fairfax Media on the basis of anonymity, said the hoaxer was well-known to air traffic controllers because of "continual disruption for whatever personal gain" and he could "eventually compromise safety. He is a menace."


Video duration01:50
[/url]
[url=http://auntypru.com/forum/javascript:;]AFP hunt Melbourne air traffic control hoaxer

The Australian Federal Police are investigating a series of hoax calls to air traffic controllers and domestic pilots. Vision courtesy ABC News Melbourne.

Air traffic controllers working from Avalon and Melbourne airports had built up a profile of the offender, who is breaking federal laws under the Radio Communications Act and Aviation Transport Act and presenting a massive security risk to the airports and airlines.

"A male person who has listened to the comms (communications) between ATC (air traffic control) Tower Staff and pilots has mastered enough lingo and knowledge to attempt impersonations of an ATC Controller. He also has portable transmitting/receiving equipment, which is monitoring: Tower, Emergency & Avalon Frequencies and a vehicle to move around in, making tracking and discovery of him very difficult. On a few occasions (from 25 Oct onward) he has attempted to communicate to pilots to override ATC controllers to try and cause disruption, in most cases he has been ignored, calls from Tower to aircraft pilots to disregard unauthorised transmissions."

• Lone-wolf radio hoaxer hacks Melbourne air traffic control: AFP
  

The air traffic controller explained that when an unauthorised or unrecognised transmission appears on aviation radio frequencies an "interference" report was compiled for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) - but "on one instance he was so compelling he made an aircraft go wheels up and go around for another attempt at landing. His attempted disruption to controlled airspace and landing and take-off activities is very concerning."

The AFP are working closely with investigators from ACMA - nicknamed the "ghostbusters" - to find the hoaxer, who made 15 illegal transmissions, and who they say is working alone. The transmissions in which the hoaxer posed as an air traffic controller and persuaded an aircraft to abort a landing was Virgin flight into Melbourne from the Gold Coast on October 27.

The same day the hoaxer also impersonated the pilot of a light aircraft, issuing a mayday call and faking engine trouble. Audio from the incident reveals air traffic control personnel tried to assess the mayday call then began speaking to the the light aircraft which the unauthorised individual was pretending to pilot.

John Lyons, president of Virgin Independent Pilots Australia, said rogue radio transmissions were "a concern" because pilots must obey instructions from air traffic controllers but may not be able to verify who is or isn't a legitimate controller. He said rudimentary amateur VHF radio equipment could be used.

A plane takes off from Melbourne Airport, under the gaze of air traffic controllers. Photo: Craig Abraham

According to ACMA, who regulate all radio broadcasts, "unauthorised or improper use of these devices" is extremely rare in Australia. The air band transceiver devices, easily bought in retail stores and online, are not illegal. But using air band transceivers on specific aeronautical frequencies for airports and aircraft was subject to licensing.

"In general, rather than restricting supply of the devices themselves," said a spokesman for ACMA, "all operators are required to hold appropriate user qualifications. A person must not operate an aircraft station or an aeronautical mobile station unless they are qualified to operate the station in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations and any relevant Civil Aviation Orders. It is illegal to interfere with aircraft communications.

Unlicensed operation of air band receivers, which includes operation by an unqualified person, is also illegal.
The view from the control tower at Avalon Airport. Photo: James Davies

"Experience shows that risks of misuse are managed through curbs on the operation of the devices rather than limits on supply."

AFP Assistant Commissioner Chris Sheehan said all airlines had been briefed on the incidents "to ensure appropriate measures are in place."

Miscommunication between pilots and air traffic controllers is cited as a key reason for many aviation accidents. Photo: AP

The Aviation Transport Act stipulates that interfering with aircraft navigation facilities or "putting the safety of an aircraft at risk by communicating false information" are in the same class of offence as taking control of an aircraft, damaging an aircraft or planting a dangerous item on board.

An amateur radio enthusiast, who asked not to be named, said that while it was common for air traffic to be listened to, he had never heard of unauthorised transmissions. "They just sit in their cars all day and listen to the radio on their scanners," he said.

[Gobbledock]

A disgruntled Skid'Mark???

[Gobbledock]

Toxic firefighting chemicals found in WA airports and defence sites under investigation

"Airservices Australia is assessing Perth and Broome airports, as well as the former airport sites at Karratha and Port Hedland.
Jandakot Airport is now privately run, but its managing director John Fraser said an investigation conducted four years ago found small areas of contamination by perfluorinated chemicals.
"It's not a dangerous situation and we are monitoring it," he said.
An Airservices Australia spokesperson said it would assess the level of contamination — and test ways to remediate the sites — over the next 12 to 18 months, but planned to publicly release some results in the coming months"

Full article here;

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-10...fmredir=sm

TICK TOCK Sir An(g)us, Purple Haze, Murky and Malcom Sachs....tick tock indeed

[Peetwo]

Update: JCPAA OneSKY (H&H) Inquiry -

Reference JCPAA webpage:

Commonwealth Procurement—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 1, 13 and 16 (2016-17)

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is conducting an inquiry based on any items, matters or circumstances connected with the following Auditor-General reports:    
 

• No. 1 (2016-17) Procurement of the International Centre for Complex Project Management to Assist on the OneSKY Australia Program
  
• No. 13 (2016-17) Delivery of Health Services in Onshore Immigration Detention
  
• No. 16 (2016-17) Offshore Processing Centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea: Procurement of Garrison Support and Welfare Services
  

Please note that the ANAO is conducting a 'two-stage audit' (refer Auditor Report No. 1, p.7) regarding OneSKY:

• Stage 1: Procurement of the International Centre for Complex Project Management to Assist on the OneSKY Australia Program, Audit Report No. 1 (2016-17)
  
• Stage 2: Audit currently in progress on 'Conduct of the OneSKY Tender' (due to report May 2017).
  

Hearing 25 November 2016:

& link for Harfwit's bollocks submission:

1 Airservices Australia (PDF 239 KB)

MTF...P2

[Gobbledock]

Calls for more tests on historic use of chemicals at Gold Coast Airport

Steven Miles has called for more tests.
Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles has called for more testing to determine contamination risks stemming from the historic use of poisonous firefighting chemicals at the Gold Coast Airport.

Airservices Australia has released its report into tests carried out at the airport for PFAS, a group of potentially deadly chemicals including perfluoro­octane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The report, by GHD, found PFAS of up to more than 60 times the guidelines considered in the report in some groundwater samples tested.

The report found PFAS was not detected in the nearby Cobaki broadwater.

Dr Miles welcomed the report but said more needed to be done.

“I’m calling on the Commonwealth Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to ask Airservices Australia to conduct testing which is as broad ranging and thorough, as is occurring at other locations where these chemicals have been found,” Dr Miles said.

ASA yesterday said in a statement that while test results on the airport boundary indicated potentially low risk, Airservices was working with relevant agencies to determine further action including the option of further testing.

It was revealed earlier this month that the chemicals, found in firefighting foam, had been detected near 12 Australian Defence Force sites, including RAAF bases in Townsville, ­Amberley and Richmond.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national...d827ac64e6

Sure would be a crying shame for Cooly's airport to be better known for its contamination of ground water  with a toxic chemical that can't be removed, than for it to be known as being the gateway airport to the beautiful Gold Coast?

TICK TOCK Houston and Electric Blue

[Peetwo]

Update: JCPAA OneSKY (H&H) Inquiry -
Reference JCPAA webpage:

Commonwealth Procurement—Inquiry based on Auditor-General’s reports 1, 13 and 16 (2016-17)

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is conducting an inquiry based on any items, matters or circumstances connected with the following Auditor-General reports:    
 

• No. 1 (2016-17) Procurement of the International Centre for Complex Project Management to Assist on the OneSKY Australia Program
  
• No. 13 (2016-17) Delivery of Health Services in Onshore Immigration Detention
  
• No. 16 (2016-17) Offshore Processing Centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea: Procurement of Garrison Support and Welfare Services
  

Please note that the ANAO is conducting a 'two-stage audit' (refer Auditor Report No. 1, p.7) regarding OneSKY:

• Stage 1: Procurement of the International Centre for Complex Project Management to Assist on the OneSKY Australia Program, Audit Report No. 1 (2016-17)
  
• Stage 2: Audit currently in progress on 'Conduct of the OneSKY Tender' (due to report May 2017).
  

Hearing 25 November 2016:

& link for Harfwit's bollocks submission:

1 Airservices Australia (PDF 239 KB)

Update 16/11/16: The following is a list of ANAO audit QON, from the RRAT Senate Supplementary Estimates QON index released yesterday.
ASA - QON 155 to 159:

Senator STERLE: And you may be able to refer to it in answer to some of my questions. So, Mr Logan, I will come back to you: how often is very often, or quite often?

Mr Logan: Sorry, if I said, 'very often', that was not my answer. We review them from time to time. I have only been in the role for the last 12 to 18 months. In that time I have taken on the ANAO recommendations and have sought—as Mr Harfield is handing it through—to bolster the practices and procedures.

Senator STERLE: Mr Logan, it is not assisting me, so, if you do not know, say you do not know—that is quite all right.

Mr Logan: So I do not know how often in prior times.

Senator STERLE: Okay, so we have changed from 'quite often' or 'often' to 'do not know'—that is fine. Thank you. If you do not know, maybe someone else might—or Mr Harfield, who has been around a long time too. Can you tell us the last time you reviewed your procedures and procurement policies prior to this committee writing to the ANAO to seek an audit of Airservices?

Mr Logan: I do not know; I can find out.

Senator STERLE: Mr Harfield?

Mr Harfield: I do not know.

---

Senator STERLE: Did Thales meet all 3,000 requirements under the tender evaluation process?

Mr Harfield: As I said just previously, no tenderer was fully compliant. Part of the negotiation period is to make sure that we establish all of those requirements.

Senator STERLE: Of the 3,000, how many short were Thales?

Mr Harfield: I cannot tell you off the top of my head. I can take that on notice.

---

CHAIR: We will get to the Allens report, because there was a less than favourable reference made to it in terms of whether those involved were provided with all of the relevant information needed to allow them to properly make recommendations and findings. Thank you for all that, but it did not address the burden of my question. Door to door, house by house, what current members of the board were there when this was allowed to happen—by name?

Mr Harfield: The engagement of these two individuals in their capacity contracting through ICCPM first occurred in 2012, so I would have to have a look at who the board was at that particular stage in 2012.

CHAIR: You have no independent—

Mr Harfield: I am just trying to work through it. The chair of the board depends on the timing. The chair changed from David Forsyth to Angus Houston. Angus Houston was a member of the board. Dr Warren Mundy was the deputy chair. Ms Annette Kimmitt at some stage during 2012 came on board with Mr Paul Lucas, Ms Sam Betzien and Mr Tony Mathews. I would have to recollect to see who was there in 2012. There were some changes on the board during 2012.

CHAIR: I am loath to have you take things on notice.

Mr Harfield: We can look up annual reports—

CHAIR: Would you take that on notice? I am interested in the identity of board members at the time that these appointments were ratified by the board, acknowledged by the board and when the board was briefed about them and those who remain on the board today. So you understand the clarification of my question?

Mr Harfield: Yes, I do.

---

Senator STERLE: Sure. So in 2013, without any approach to the market to identify other possible strategic partners, Airservices and ICCPM entered into a strategic partnership for the duration of the OneSKY program—correct?

Mr Harfield: That is correct.

Senator STERLE: For which there was no business case prepared—is that correct?

Mr Harfield: Correct.

Senator STERLE: No performance indicators were established to enable monitoring and evaluation?

Mr Harfield: That is my understanding.

Senator STERLE: No documentation of the nature of services Airservices intended to obtain from or through ICCPM?

Mr Harfield: There was an intent. Whether it is documented I am unaware.

Senator STERLE: So you will take that on notice?

Mr Harfield: Yes, I will take that one on notice.

ASA - QON 162 to 165:

Senator STERLE: You cannot be any more honest than that. The extensive use of ICCPM to assist with the delivery of OneSKY by Airservices was highlighted by the ANAO, and I will quote them:

Since 2012, there have been 42 engagements of ICCPM employees and sub-contractors through 18 procurement processes. The engagements were given effect through six contracts, 10 contract variations and four uses of an on-call services schedule under one of the contracts. Under the various contractual arrangements, Airservices agreed to pay ICCPM total fees of more than $9 million.

Is that figure correct?

Mr Harfield: Yes.

Senator STERLE: Who were the subcontractors?

Mr Harfield: I would have to take that on notice to give you the full list, but there were a range of services used from a variety of different people: Harry Bradford and Keyholder Services. It included Andrew Pike, Deborah Hein, Stephen Hein and a range of other employees to do other services. We could reply to that on notice.

Senator STERLE: Yes, sure. Take that on notice. Off the top of your head, would you know how many contractors we are talking about?

Mr Harfield: Off the top of my head, no.

---

Senator STERLE: Okay, that is fine. Can you elaborate for the committee on what an on-call services schedule is.

Mr Harfield: I am not sure what was written down in the on-call schedule of service, but it was that, if we needed a particular capability, we would go to ICCPM and they would provide it. It is sort of like a labour hire company. You go and say, 'Can I have this particular capability,' and you would bring that—

Senator STERLE: Sorry, I get an echo.

Mr Harfield: It is like a temp hire company or an engineering hiring company. You would go along and say, 'We need a capability for a scheduler', or, 'We need a capability for a planner,' and then they would provide that particular capability.

Senator STERLE: So ICCPM would go off and find it.

Mr Harfield: That is correct.

Senator STERLE: Okay, and you will be able to provide who they are.

Mr Harfield: Correct.

Senator STERLE: And the cost.

Mr Harfield: Yes.

---

Senator STERLE: You cannot add any more to that. Furthermore, has Airservices ever attempted to negotiate rates of services charged by ICCPM?

Mr Harfield: Yes. There have been a couple of occasions where that has occurred.

Senator STERLE: How did you go?

Mr Harfield: We had some reductions because of the longer term nature.

Senator STERLE: When you say 'some'—you might want to take this on record, Mr Harfield—can you give us examples of what they were, how much for and how many times?

Mr Harfield: I can give you the whole thing on notice. Rather than just speculating on getting a figure right, we can provide that on notice. That is no problem.

---

Senator STERLE: It was between 2012-13 and December 2015. Airservices paid ICCPM a total of $5.8 million in consultancy fees and expenses. Between 2012-13 and 2014-15, the payments from Airservices amounted to 75 per cent of the revenue reported by ICCPM, as derived from consulting work. What consultancy work was completed and what expenses were made using the $5.8 million?

Mr Harfield: That was the contract capability we just discussed beforehand. So it is the Harry Bradfords doing lead negotiation, and the Andrew Pykes and those sorts of people. So it is not extra consultancies on top of that; it is those fees that paid for all those people that we just mentioned previously. I am going to provide, on notice, the work and their costs.

Senator STERLE: Of the contractors and employees?

Mr Harfield: Yes, contracted—brought in—for that. But they will be put in a consultancy bucket.

Senator STERLE: So the $5.8 million is part of the work being done by the contractors?

Mr Harfield: Yes. That is that amount.

Senator STERLE:And you are going to give us some examples and break it down. That is fine. If 75 per cent of the revenue of ICCPM in those years mentioned came from Airservices, where did the remaining 25 per cent come from?

MTF...P2  

[Kharon]

A mystery is announced.

This is getting interesting ain’t it. I reckon the Senate crew have seen through the top cover bullshit, know exactly what’s going on and are assembling the evidence required to make it stick.  As each layer of crud is peeled away, the monster beneath becomes more restive; soon we shall see the sacrifices being wheeled in, to sate the Senate appetite and appease the beast. Not going to work though, is it; not this time around. (Self evident - rhetorical).

Halfwit, just like Dolan, reflects a serious error, flawed or arrogant, in departmental judgement. Appointing Halfwit was the straw that broke the camel’s back and the ‘department’ knows this; but, despite the department’s self defence system (and shredder) working overtime and the rule of ‘Omerta’ being brutally applied, its too little, too late.  

ASA is a bloody shambles; an expensive wreck and a political minefield. Quite a competition; political survival versus departmental disaster.  The tote is open for you few, brave souls who believe ASA and HW will survive the battle – in one piece. I will take your money.

Toot – happy daze – toot…

[Peetwo]

 FER-balls & ADS-Bollocks -

Supp QON cont/-

18.

Corporate Services Division

Sterle

Functional and Efficiency Review
At the previous Estimates in May the Secretary outlined some of the recommendations of the Functional & Efficiency Review conducted into the Department by KPMG:

Can you update on what has happened with that review since May?

Are you able to indicate if Cabinet has concluded its consideration of the report?

Have any of the 18 recommendations referred to last time been accepted by Government?

If yes,

which ones?

do any recommend outsourcing of existing Departmental functions? Details?

do any recommend insourcing of existing outsourced functions?

What has happened with the Airservices recommendations?

Are there any recommendations that relate to the Australian Rail Track Corporation?

If yes, do any relate to changed ownership structures? Details?

Are there any recommendations that relate to Infrastructure Australia?

If yes, does that relate to the governance structure of IA?

What other recommendations are there?

What is the expected timeframe around decisions by Government from this review?

&.. CASA QON 143-145 - ADS-B:

Senator XENOPHON: I am. I am very close. Can I just say that if aircraft fly below cloud cover, visually—if aircraft do not have ADS-B, they have to fly visually—correct?

Mr Carmody: Yes, they have to fly visually. That is correct.

Senator XENOPHON: The point that Dick Smith has made to me just again today is that that poses a risk to pilots. There has never been a case of a mid-air collision in this country involving aircraft in clouds—is that right?

Mr Carmody: I did see a quote to that effect. I assume it is correct; I have heard that.

Senator XENOPHON: He has expressed a concern previously and again today that requiring pilots who cannot afford to install ADS-B to fly visually below clouds itself is problematic from a safety point of view. Is that something you have assessed?

Mr Carmody: Not to my knowledge. I can take that on notice and see whether we have. I do not know the answer to that, I am sorry.

---

Senator XENOPHON: My final question is a follow-up. The base of your assertion is that it might be more expensive in a few years time, and that did not work for flat screen TVs or other technology.

Mr Carmody: Different technology. But that is just an assertion in the same way as it is an assertion that it will get cheaper, if I may, by AOPA.

Senator XENOPHON: And that generally happens with new technology?
Mr Carmody: It might.

Senator XENOPHON: Could you get back to me on that. Thank you, Chair, for your patience.

---

NX Written - 28/10/16: What empirical or other data does CASA have to ground the claim that that ADS-B prices will go up as a function of time? Please table this data.

ASA QON 159 - ADS-B:

Senator XENOPHON: How many general aviation aircraft have complied with the ADS-B to date?

Mr Harfield: I cannot tell you exactly. What I can give you is the statistic that for all IFR flights 87 per cent have been equipped and, for those that are operating below 10,000 feet, 60 per cent or 6 out of 10 aircraft have already equipped. VFR aircraft do not have to comply with the mandate—380 of those have actually self-equipped because of the benefits associated with it. As we approach the mandate, we have talked to the 70 top GA fleet that have not equipped and by that stage we are expecting to have 92 per cent equipped. Out of 931 airframes that are yet to equipped with ADS-B 50 per cent of those airframes do less than two IFR flights per month. If the 200 most active of those equip we will have 99 per cent of all flights ADS-B equipped by February.

Senator XENOPHON: That does not take into account all of the GA IFR aircraft at all, does it?

Mr Harfield: No, it is not saying that is all of them. I am saying they are the statistics that include GA IFR aircraft.

Senator XENOPHON: We do not know at this stage what percentage of GA aircraft have got ADS-B?

Mr Harfield: We do. I can provide that to you.

MTF...P2  

[Gobbledock]

Of making DAS's great again?

He of large ears said;

"Senator XENOPHON: He has expressed a concern previously and again today that requiring pilots who cannot afford to install ADS-B to fly visually below clouds itself is problematic from a safety point of view. Is that something you have assessed?
Mr Carmody: Not to my knowledge. I can take that on notice and see whether we have. I do not know the answer to that, I am sorry".

Ok, slow it down a fraction folks. Did the DAS just say 'he doesn't know'? He needs to 'take it on notice'? What exactly then does a DAS do? Ok, so I understand he wouldn't be across everything in the organisation, you know; have the pot plants in Sydney been watered, who is the person not securing their bicycle compliantly in the bike cage at The Circuit, what is the S.O.P for emptying the dishwasher in the lunch room in Townsville....you know, that sort of crap.
But to not be fully across the process or potential risks outlined by Sen X is children's stuff. A pimply 16 year old Ranga taking his first joy flight with fantasies of flying A380's in his eyes and blinded by the motion of a spinning prop knows the answer to that! Wingnut should NOT have to take such a basic question on notice. WTF?

Can you imagine asking the Commissioner of Police in QLD; 'what colour are police car flashing lights', or 'is it legal to sodomise a goat'?  And he says 'I will need to take that on notice'??  

Oh Lordy and heaven help us boys and girls, we are all ducked.


TICK TOCK