[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"