SAWS becoming Unafordable

[RudiGreyling]

Has anyone been refused an access password? ie if you go to http://aviation.weathersa.co.za/ and register - have you been refused a password to access the site? I am not talking about the special VFR stuff.
If you have you need to let your representative body know so they can inform the regulator.

REGISTRATION ACCESS DENIED see below!

I will reply again and say the current suggested site does not give me minimum information required for safe flight available as free and make mention of items discussed above.

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UPDATE: ROUND 2: After automated denied message. I wrote them a long email requesting access again saying I need it for SAFE FLIGHT planning purposes. In case I don't get it I have no option but to bug their forecasters for the occasional flights I do as leisure flyer. I got the message below...I will be responding like they say and try to Register Again....I will keep you posted...
PS: Interesting reading their reasons though...

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[MARTIENS]

Full Wx station from USA for R1500....

George, where in the US can I buy one ?

[George]

There are a couple local eg's available but very expensive.

I got mine from Ebay or google weather station. There are plenty that will ship to SA. Use USPS rather than UPS to save costs. It takes 23-25 days to get here.

I got 3 of these and some change vs the Davis.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-WIRELESS-WEATHE ... 5761wt_987
but through the reseller site not on ebay (free shipping vs $70)
Available locally for R5000 . I got 3 for less than that.... I just want the basics. Davis is rolls royce and thus moer expensive. Depends what you want to do with it. I am battling to get the webcam side of things to work but the WX station works 100%... and as soon as the webcam link (maybe the loose screw between the chair and keyboard) I will upload them live...

[wynand]

Rudi: Well done!
So we've established that if you have South African pilots license, you can register on the "Main Aviation Site". NUT, there is the warning that VFR products, like spot graphs will be removed?

M question again:

Are there any South African pilots (private or otherwise) who cannot gain access to the main site ?
This is important.

The other issue is that "Commercial Aviation Employees". like RET, cannot access last minute weather info from his mobile anymore (unless he forks out R250/month).
So, evidently CA is paying the lion's share of aviation met fees but they now have reduced functionality?
Why is the main sit'es functionality AND information base being degraded?

[RudiGreyling]

Rudi: Well done!
So we've established that if you have South African pilots license, you can register on the "Main Aviation Site". NUT, there is the warning that VFR products, like spot graphs will be removed?

M question again:

Are there any South African pilots (private or otherwise) who cannot gain access to the main site ?
This is important.

The other issue is that "Commercial Aviation Employees". like RET, cannot access last minute weather info from his mobile anymore (unless he forks out R250/month).
So, evidently CA is paying the lion's share of aviation met fees but they now have reduced functionality?
Why is the main sit'es functionality AND information base being degraded?

Just wait a minute Wynand...I still havent got access yet, even after the emails and another attempt at register as SAWS admin suggested.
I will let the people know as soon as it is approved or not. But Currently it is NOT.

UPDATE: ROUND3: Tried to Register again as suggested and attached my email as requested by SAWS amdin. I have not received access or feedback from them yet...


Regards
Rudi

[wynand]

Thanks, Rudi
Anyone else?

[RudiGreyling]

OK I got access,

But note very important, they are going to move the VFR/Aerosport products to the pay site in any case.
So it just buys a little bit of time, the crux of the matter is not resolved...Kosie Chris you listening? whats happening?

round_3.jpg

Regards
Rudi

[Chris]

Aero Club are having a meeting with the senior SAWS officials - the ones who are really responsible

[kosie]

OK I got access,

But note very important, they are going to move the VFR/Aerosport products to the pay site in any case.
So it just buys a little bit of time, the crux of the matter is not resolved...Kosie Chris you listening? whats happening?

round_3.jpg

Regards
Rudi

I am listening. Meeting scheduled for 28 January 2011. We are also pursuing another route which is best kept low profile.

[Chuck]

Hee, my android HTC has no problem accessing the SAWS aviation weather website at all. Navigation through the site is a bit of mission but do-able and i can get the latest radar pictures in tabs and compare the data.

Think most newer cellphones will have no trouble viewing this content.

chrs,

[wynand]

Yep, me too.
Perhaps RET should upgrade his phone?

[ZS1I]

Aviation User
Regarding your registration for access to SAWS aviation web:

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Username: XXXX Real names: Johan ZS1I Email address: XXXXXX Telephone number: XXXXXXX Physical address: XXXXX Company: Non Profitable Organization assisting with Aviation Search and Rescue Commercial: No Has FTP access: No

Motivation: I hereby apply for access to the Aviation Web-site. I am a member of HAMNET - SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE - EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION NETWORK. We are a group of dedicated and adequately trained amateur radio operators (Hams) who make our specialised free services available to anyone who needs emergency communication. We assist Local government, South African Search & Rescue, Disaster Management, Off Road Rescue Unit, The Mountain Club of South Africa, The K9 dog Unit, The SAPS, CPF and or any other organisation that needs to make use of an alternative means of communication - WHEN ALL ELSE HAS FAILED! We have a proud record of making our unique skills available to many organisations over the years. Our terms of reference include the Apies river flood, Laingsburg flood, the Free State floods, Cyclone Demoina, the Westdene Bus Disaster and many search and rescue involvements with Wilderness Search & Rescue among others! We are also involved in Aviation Search and Rescue and it is imperative to have free access to the Aviation Web - Site for obvious reasons. HAMNET - The officially, non profitable, free community based ,recognized Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Organisation in South Africa. If you would like further information I will supply you with copies of my ID Cards and information relating to our last aviation search and rescue in the Baviaans Mountains. I trust that you will consider my application favorably as I need free access to this site to effectively assist with search and rescue missions.
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The Aviation website of the South African Weather Service(SAWS) is for tariff-paying commercial aviation users operating in/from South African Airspace !

We refer you to the aviation products aviation section of SAWS main website at http://www.weathersa.co.za/web/AvChoice.asp. There is a section on this page where you can apply for free access !

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Regards,
Aviation Admin

Will now have to follow the route as outlined above and see if my application is approved. This is a real shlep but I will endure and apply for access. In the event that my application is not granted, I will have to consider my further participation in search and rescue operations in the Southern Cape. I do not own a plane but assist with emergency radio communications when needed.

[Chris]

...another one print out for the meeting kosie

[wynand]

Interesting how the goal posts have evidently shifted in the last week:
Rudi, as a South African pilot (not commercial), was granted access after he jumped through the hoops.

Response to ZS1I :

The Aviation website of the South African Weather Service(SAWS) is for tariff-paying commercial aviation users operating in/from South African Airspace !

-with an exclamation mark, nogal.

How rude.

[Laeveld Louis]

Meeting scheduled for 28 January 2011. We are also pursuing another route which is best kept low profile.

What happened.............