Guys, we need to stir harder on this.
From FlyNZ:
"In the last two editions of MGWR Briefing 1 and Briefing 2 have appeared for your information.
Flying NZ is actively pursuing this matter and is lobbying the CAA & the Minister responsible for this portfolio within Government.
I write at this time to encourage you to lobby the Minister with regards this matter. This is a safety issue of major concern to all aviators.
Attached is the 3rd Brief that has come out via Flying NZ this week, via email to all aero clubs.
Attached also is a copy of a letter written by Steven Perreau, a concerned aviator, and sent to the Minister. Steven is happy for you to use his letter for lobbying purposes.
Whilst, as I say, Flying NZ is actively pursuing this matter to the highest levels, the more voices that are heard from those involved in general aviation, the better.
Should you choose to write to the Minister, please do send me a copy so that FNZ can track how many are actively pursuing the matter. We are aware some have but not nearly as many as would be desirable.
We must save this free service in the interest of aviation safety.
Liz King
Northern Region Rep
Flying NZ / RNZAC
Ph 09 444 5733 - evenings
Fax 09 444 5873
Mob 027 220 6038
Email lizking@clear.net.nz"
Steven Perreau's letter:
Friday, 1 July 2011
Minister of Transport
Attention: Hon. Stephen Joyce
Email: s.joyce@ministers.govt.nz
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
RE: MetFlight GA moving to user pays affecting General Aviation and flight safety
Good afternoon Mr Joyce,
I am writing to express my grave concerns for the upcoming changes by CAA and the MetService to change MetFlight GA from free access for all pilots to a user pays service.
Background - What is MetFlight
MetFlight GA is a wonderful product which provides web based meteorological information for the aviation sector to all holders of a New Zealand Pilot’s license.
www.caa.govt.nz/meteorology/metflight_ga.htmIt was introduced in 2004 by the CAA as a safety initiative recognising that 19%+ of aviation accidents are weather related.
www.caa.govt.nz/Publications/CAA_News/CAA_News_2004_Issue-5_Sep-Oct.pdfMetFlight is a huge success and as a pilot, it is a fantastic product. Here, the previous Minister for Transport Harry Duynhoven talks about the new product.
www.beehive.govt.nz/node/20744 CAA and Safety Concerns about Weather
Annually, the CAA runs a safety drive, referred to as the “AV Kiwi Safety Seminars.” Weather was still such a concern to the CAA that the 2009 safety seminar series was entitled “Weather to Fly.”
www.caa.govt.nz/Publications/Vector/Vector_2009_Issue-1_Jan-Feb.pdfInternationally – the Trend for free weather services
To ensure pilots have the best, most accurate, up to date weather, internationally it has been recognised that the best way to ensure pilots get this information is to make it free. CAA were clearly of that view until just recently.
Australia – free
www.airservicesaustralia.com/brief/reg.bom.gov.au/reguser/by_prod/aviation/USA – free
aviationweather.gov/www.faa.gov/pilots/.../ga_weather_decision_making.pdfEconomics - The case for free weather access
I see that the cost according to MetService is $7,995 per month to provide MetFlight GA.
www.metservice.com/assets/downloads/aviation/MFGA_Industry_announcement_stage_1.pdfThus, annually $95,940.
As I recall, the cost of a human life is approx. 1.5 Million dollars.
Given cost of a single fatality attributed or partly attributed to weather, where is the economic justification for the removal of free MetFlight GA?
It is my firm view that moving to a user pays service will lead to some pilots relying on unsuitable free weather products (such as Teletext, or the public MetService website, etc.) and therefore increase weather related incidents.
Yours sincerely,
Your aero club should have copies of these documents, or you can cut-and-paste from above.
Use it or lose it!