The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the
Bureau of Meteorology in conjunction with Airservices Australia
develop a position in major air traffic control locations, to be
staffed with Bureau of Meteorology meteorologists, to be the focal
point for weather information coordination.
The following response dated 13 April 2004 was received from the Bureau of Meteorology:
The Bureau agrees, in principle, that having Bureau meteorologists at major air traffic control locations would be a positive move in improving air traffic management and safety. Perhaps the most effective location for these staff would be in the two TAAATS centres, which are located at Melbourne and Brisbane Airports. The Bureau already has an office, the Sydney Airport Meteorological Unit (SAMU) in the Sydney Terminal Control Unit. Clearly, further discussion will be needed on this issue with Airservices, but they offer significant opportunities not only to improve air traffic management, but to provide training and mutual understanding. There would be a cost implication for industry since cost of the extra positions would be recovered.
