The reporter has raised safety concerns in relation to the Aerodrome Weather Information Service (AWIS) at Mackay Airport.
The reporter queries why the Mackay Airport AWIS is only available via telephone outside air traffic control (ATC) tower/approach hours. The reporter requests the AWIS system be upgraded to also have the availability to broadcast on Very High Frequency (VHF) radio.
The reporter states, they operate 24 hours/7 days per week single pilot instrument flight rules (IFR) operations with often poor weather conditions. 'It is not feasible to ring the number within 15 minutes of departure and not feasible to ring in flight. Brisbane Centre [ATC] claim they are unable to provide an accurate QNH as they once did a few years ago'. The reporter advised they have heard commercial air transport aircraft giving the phone number over the area frequency for Brisbane to call and report back an accurate QNH. This is an unacceptable level of safety that is a concern for all commercial operations including airline, medivac, search and rescue and marine pilot transfers operating at Mackay Airport.
The reporter is further concerned pilots are not complying with Civil Aviation Safety Regulation CASR 91.245 - Matters to be checked before take-off (MOS 10.06 Accurate QNH and site elevation), for altimeter accuracy checks due to the lack of VHF broadcast AWIS. This leads to potentially dangerous situations in IFR height accuracy.
Mackay Airport is in the process of purchasing and installing an Aerodrome Weather Information Broadcast (C-AWIB) unit.
We are working with the Bureau of Meteorology to supply the C-AWIB unit, Airservices Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority to purchase a new radio frequency, and a radio technician provider to supply the VHF broadcast unit, and a local provider to install the units.
The ATSB did not seek comment from the aviation regulator, CASA.