This really really sucks.
Recently in Australia they have introduced new air saftey laws. Many pilots and air traffic controllers are calling them air disaster laws because it is only a matter of time before something bad happens. Basically the new laws mean that light aviation (Cessna's and the like) do not have to file flight plans or keep in contact with atc when flying . . . . even in airspace where commercial aircraft fly. The new laws have been in effect a week and we've already had a near miss.
Read this following article:
There will be at least three separate probes into a near collision between a Virgin Blue plane and a Cessna north-west of Melbourne.
Virgin Blue flight DJ980 from the Gold Coast to Melbourne triggered its automatic collision warning system about 10am (AEDT) as the 737 was descending about 55 nautical miles north-west of Melbourne.
The air traffic controllers union, Civil Air, said the passenger flight was 20 seconds from colliding with the twin-engine Cessna when the alarm activated.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), Airservices Australia and Virgin Blue are investigating the incident.
All three said it was too early to say how close the planes came to colliding, or to confirm whether they were only 20 seconds from disaster.
Civil Air president Ted Lang blamed the near miss on the new National Airspace System (NAS) which came into effect last Thursday, allowing light planes into areas used by commercial airliners.
Mr Lang called on federal Transport Minister John Anderson to immediately suspend the NAS pending a full review.
He said a 737's collision warning system was designed to give pilots about 20 seconds to avoid impact.
"This result is a direct result of the new airspace regime," Mr Lang said.
"In this case not even the 'see-and-avoid' collision procedures were effective."
Airservices Australia spokesman Richard Dudley confirmed the Virgin Blue 737's collision warning system was activated.
But he said he did not know how close the planes were, or whether the pilot changed course as a result of the warning.
A spokesman for Mr Anderson warned against assuming the incident was related to the new system, saying the ATSB investigated several incidents every year.
He said both aircraft were in contact with the air traffic controller in Melbourne.
"The public should be reminded that Ted Lang of Civil Air has previously claimed there were near misses in Canberra and Tamworth," he said.
"On both occasions he was utterly incorrect and he's yet to apologise for his blatant scaremongering."
Virgin Blue spokesman David Huttner said the airline would consider in its investigation whether the new regulations were to blame.
As you probably guess, there are some not very happy people about this.
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