[Peetwo]

Harfwit cashes in his chips at the Oz -

Not wanting to be sin-binned for referring to a Ferryman quarantined 'ticked, flicked & published' aviation related MSM article, however I think in this case it maybe warranted...  : A new champion arises.

"..No wonder the public are confused; for a supposed ‘crack writer’ Cleary clearly has NFI.  He cites ‘reports’ – plural as being reprehensible and irresponsible. Both of ‘em, really? I can’t imagine Halfwit calling the soft, airbrushed report from the ATSB as such, not in a million. You’d reckon a ‘journo’ could parse (resolve) his statements better than that..."

Not only does the clearly inarticulate, ill-informed, lazy, Harfwit captured Cleary, appear to be having a free slap at the other Aunty, he is also having a swipe at our fellow aviation professionals the ATCOs...

 "...An air safety investigation has shown that air traffic controllers at Melbourne Airport allowed three aircraft to exceed safe distances because they “forgot” to inform nearby Essendon Airport and were distracted by idle chatter.

The report is timely because it follows the fatal crash last month at Essendon that killed five people, and it sheds light on the ­professionalism of some of the controllers..."    

To begin I note that in typical unprofessional and arrogant style Cleary has not included a link for his critiquing of the ATSB report. So for the record here it is: Loss of separation involving Boeing 737 aircraft, VH-YFN and VH-VZV and Robinson R44, VH-WYR near Essendon Airport, Victoria, on 26 January 2016

Now in reference to the "distracted by idle chatter" comment, I extracted the following from that report:

..The Melbourne controllers noted that, at the time of the occurrence, there were other controllers beginning their shifts and there was a slightly elevated level of non-operational discussion. As the traffic volume was low, they did not consider the discussion to be a distraction...

&.. from the 'Safety Analysis' section of the report:

Distraction

During the period when the runway and airspace change was being carried out, there were multiple instances of non-operational discussions. However, at the time, the traffic level was low and apart from the runway change, the workload was relatively light. The Tower and Terminal Control Unit Shift Managers believed that, while there was some conversation and non‑operational discussion, it was not sufficient to require intervention.

 
There was also no mention of the 'distraction' as being relevant as a 'contributory factor'; nor highlighted as needing to be addressed in the 'safety issues & actions'.

However the ATSB did identify a significant safety issue which was proactively addressed by ASA:

Absence of air traffic control procedures and tools for runway changes at Melbourne Airport

Airservices Australia did not provide procedures with associated local instructions to Melbourne air traffic controllers regarding how to coordinate runway changes at Melbourne Airport. Furthermore, an absence of system tools increased the risk of the controllers forgetting to coordinate those changes with the Essendon Aerodrome Controller.

ATSB Safety Issue: AO-2016-005-SI-01

 
I also note that, for a supposedly inquisitive investigative journalist, PGC has failed to note the section under "Other breakdown of co-ordination occurrences": 

..On 18 November 2013, the ATSB received a confidential report (REPCON) (reference number AR201300090) relating to a breakdown in communication between the Melbourne and Essendon controllers. The reporter stated that the breakdown in communication might have resulted in a loss of separation assurance or potentially a loss of separation between aircraft operating at Melbourne and Essendon Airports. The breakdown in communication occurred within Melbourne Tower, and resulted in the the Melbourne Approach East Controller being unaware of the need to identify aircraft approaching Essendon Airport to the Melbourne Aerodrome Controller. Airservices confirmed that there was no loss of separation assurance or separation due to this breakdown in communication.

As a result of this confidential report, Airservices tasked the Check and Standardisation Supervisors of the involved air traffic control group with reviewing the coordination requirements. The aim of the review was to identify potential opportunities to minimise the likelihood of a similar breakdown of communication reoccurring. In the interim, Airservices also created a temporary console display at Melbourne to highlight the separation responsibility for Essendon traffic arriving from Melbourne Terminal Control Unit airspace.

The circumstances of this REPCON, and the related safety action, did not have any direct bearing on the breakdown of coordination on 26 January 2016.

A review of the ATSB occurrence database for the 5 years prior to the occurrence on 26 January 2016 found no similar occurrences...

For PGC's historical reference (if he'd care to do his research), AP covered the above REPCON report when it was brought up by Senator X in the course of the 2015 Senate Estimates: see SMH post - More Beaker Bullocks MKII - Courtesy Senate Estimates - ATSB AQON.

On another ASA related matter, I note that the Kiwis have announced that over the next few years they will be upgrading their ATC system... :

NZ adopts new air traffic platforms

12:00amRebecca Howard

Airways New Zealand will ­replace its air traffic management platforms in a $53m upgrade over four years.

Airways New Zea­land, the state-owned air traffic control authority, will ­replace its air traffic management platforms in a $NZ58 million ($53m) upgrade over the next four years.

Airways awarded the contract to global science and technology company Leidos to collaborate on software development and the Leidos Skyline X system will replace Airways’ two ATM platforms that were installed between 2000 and 2003.

The system is expected to ­become operational in New Zealand’s domestic airspace in 2020 and in oceanic airspace in 2021, Airways said in a statement.

The authority’s chief operating officer, Pauline Lamb, said the system would allow Airways to implement a new operating model as well as take advantage of advances in tools to optimise the air traffic system and staff ­deployment.

“By 2020, the new platform will allow airspace sectors to be operated from two new air traffic control centres in Auckland and Christchurch, in addition to 19 control towers nationwide,” Ms Lamb said.

The development of the system will be a collaborative project between Leidos and Airways’s software development teams, with Airways purchasing the hardware and installing and testing the system. This successful partnership model previously saved Airways’s customers about $NZ2.6m a year, or $NZ36m across the life of the present ATM platform.

Leidos civil group president Angie Heise said: “Air traffic is forecast to grow by 50 per cent over the next decade. The expertise of Leidos and the ongoing development of our SkyLine X technology will support Airways New Zealand in their continuing effort to deliver safe and efficient air traffic management to meet the increased demand.”

Meanwhile, Australian and New Zealand airlines have joined forces to set up a new aviation industry group to lobby government on taxes, fees and access to infrastructure. Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tigerair Australia and Regional Express are all backing the Airlines for Australia and New Zealand group.
Former Australian Competi­tion and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel will chair the body.

AAP

    
Hmm...maybe we need a ASA OneSKY v Airways NZed tote board for bets on who will come in on time and under budget...


MTF...P2


Ps"..Meanwhile, Australian and New Zealand airlines have joined forces to set up a new aviation industry group to lobby government on taxes, fees and access to infrastructure. Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Tigerair Australia and Regional Express are all backing the Airlines for Australia and New Zealand group..."

More on this interesting story from stuff.co NZed :

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin join forces


ELLEN READ

LAWRENCE SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ

The airlines are unhappy with the "under investment and over recovery at key airports", says Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon.

Air New Zealand is teaming up with rival airlines to form a trans-Tasman aviation lobby group to tackle - among other things - the fees and facilities at the airports they use. 
Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, TigerAir Australia and Regional Express (Rex) will join Air New Zealand as founding members of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ).
Airport services and charges are high on the agenda with Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon calling them out as the group was launched.

PAUL KANE/GETTY

"Aviation is one of the greatest enablers of tourism, trade and economic growth in our region," says Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti.

"Australia and New Zealand must compete for visitors on the world stage against many other attractive destinations," Luxon said.

"To be competitive we must continue to improve cost and quality in all parts of the travel experience but we are constrained by a legacy of under investment and over recovery at key airports. A4ANZ will add its voice to that ambition," he said.

DAVID GRAY

Airport fees and charges are rising while fares have fallen, says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

Qantas boss Alan Joyce echoed the sentiment, saying: "Airport fees and charges continue to increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than they were over a decade ago".

"A4ANZ's goal is to achieve regulatory reform that will promote a competitive and sustainable airline industry in the interests of Australian and New Zealand travellers," Joyce said.

In New Zealand, airports consult airlines on landing fees every five years. While the charges are a big cost for the airlines, they make up only a small part of most passenger ticket prices. 

Graeme Samuel, the former chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been appointed as chairman to lead a board made up of a representative from each member airline. He has 40 years of leadership experience in public service, law and investment banking.

A chief executive will be appointed in coming months.

Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti said : "Aviation is one of the greatest enablers of tourism, trade and economic growth in our region, so it's absolutely critical that airports operate efficiently and that investment in infrastructure benefits travellers".

A4ANZ will stand apart from airline lobby group Board of Airline Representatives New Zealand of which all airlines flying to and within New Zealand are members. The A4ANZ group was announced overnight and airports have not yet had a chance to comment.
Virgin and Air New Zealand currently work together on flights and rewards on trans-Tasman routes. Qantas has a global alliance with Emirates. 

About A4ANZ member airlines: 

-  Air New Zealand flies more than 15 million passengers a year and employs around 11,800 people.
-  The Qantas Group flies more than 50 million passengers each year and employs over 30,000 people.
-  Rex flies 1.2 million passengers each year and employs around 1100 people.
-  The Virgin Australia Group flies over 24 million passengers each year and employs around 9500 people.

 - Stuff