The reporter advises that the responses from Airservices Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology do not fully address the concern that reliable weather forecasts are not available resulting in last minute runway changes. Further, the reporter advises that the Aeronautical Meteorological Observer Certificate held by Tower Controllers is only of use when observing current weather conditions. This does not assist controllers in understanding weather conditions yet to arrive.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into an accident involving an amateur-built light aircraft at Tinamba West, Victoria, on Saturday. As reported to the ATSB, the aircraft collided with terrain in a paddock and was destroyed in a post impact fire. The ATSB is deploying to the accident site a team of transport safety investigators from its Canberra office, specialising in aircraft operations and maintenance. Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities on…