Pilots warned over bogus transmissions at Sydney Airport

Source: AAP|Published: Friday September 8, 2:06 PM

Pilots using Sydney Airport have been warned to be wary of bogus radio transmissions on control tower frequencies.

Airservices Australia issued a Notice to Airmen, urging they report any bogus transmissions during September so they could be traced.

The Communications Hazard Alert said such transmissions had been reported within 45 nautical miles of Sydney's international airport.

Australian Federation of Air Pilots industrial officer Laurie Cox said there had been an increase in the number of such incidents recently.

'There is a notice in force at Sydney Airport advising people to be aware of bogus transmissions,' he said.

'There seems to have been an increase in the last month or so as far as I can gather - the message I get is they might get four a month and they might have got six in the last month.'

An Airservices Australia spokesman declined to comment on the warnings.

An Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesman confirmed the matter had been referred to police but could say no more.

'The AFP confirms the Civil Air Safety Authority has referred matters to the AFP concerning possible breaches of the Aviation Safety Act at Sydney Airport.

'We are currently investigating the matter and it would be inappropriate to comment further.'

Around 680,000 Olympic passengers are expected to pass through Sydney Airport between now and November.

http://www.smh.com.au/breaking/0009/08/A54042-2000Sep8.shtml

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 08, 2000