I see now weather sa are charging R250 a month for access to METAR and TAFF data
This is incredibly stupid not to mention dangerous for GA in South Africa.
How does charging for weather info make flying safer especially for GA.
I can understand for commercial aviation etc but GA?
Free basic METAR and TAFF is essential for pilots to make educated calls and avoid becoming statistics.
I would like to formally lodge a complaint with CAA regarding weather sa’s new raping of the GA pilots.
Regards
WeatherSA charges for basic met= Danger to GA
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Colin Jordaan
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Re: WeatherSA charges for basic met= Danger to GA
Dear Edwoodza
It is my understanding that this charge is being levied for internet access to the weather. You may still phone a Met office and receive free briefings.
I do however share your concerns and have conveyed these to the head of aviation weather at SAWS.
It would appear that the web developers made this recommendation to SAWS as a way to generate more income.
There is a section where you can apply to be given free access, but I would suggest that GA in particular write to the Minister of Environmental Affairs pointing out the potential danger to aviation safety.
It is my understanding that this charge is being levied for internet access to the weather. You may still phone a Met office and receive free briefings.
I do however share your concerns and have conveyed these to the head of aviation weather at SAWS.
It would appear that the web developers made this recommendation to SAWS as a way to generate more income.
There is a section where you can apply to be given free access, but I would suggest that GA in particular write to the Minister of Environmental Affairs pointing out the potential danger to aviation safety.
Best regards
Colin
Colin
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edwoodza
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Re: WeatherSA charges for basic met= Danger to GA
Hi
Thanks for the reply
i did try the application and motivation
BUT seems they not keen.
they want money.
they even want to charge people to use their metars on their sites. the very same metars are FREE in the USA etc
below is the email reply i got when they rejected my application:
Aviation User
Regarding your registration for access to SAWS aviation web:
Username: barnicalbob Real names: ???? Email address: *************** Telephone number: ???? Physical address: ???? Company: Motivation: ???? need to fly in the sky and know what to avoid
Time registered: 16:32 pm 18/12/2010 The Aviation website of the South African Weather Service(SAWS) is for tariff-paying commercial
aviation users operating in/from South African Airspace !
For VFR/private aviation products visit the aviation section of SAWS main website at http://www.weathersa.co.za/web/AvChoicesVFR.asp.
Note: If you feel the products on this website do not meet your aviation requirements please register again and state this as part of your motivation.
In this case we also require RSA contact details and pilot license number.
If you are a handler for an airline or aviation company please supply company contact details and use company e-mail address. Please also provide some form of proof, in motivation, from the company you're representing.
Regards,
Aviation Admin
Aviation Weather Centre (AWC) - South African Weather Service
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Tel: +27 11 390 9333
Fax:+27 11 390 9332
E-mail: aviationadmin@weathersa.co.za
Website: www.weathersa.co.za - ( aviation.weathersa.co.za )
Weatherlines:
Thanks for the reply
i did try the application and motivation
BUT seems they not keen.
they want money.
they even want to charge people to use their metars on their sites. the very same metars are FREE in the USA etc
below is the email reply i got when they rejected my application:
Aviation User
Regarding your registration for access to SAWS aviation web:
Username: barnicalbob Real names: ???? Email address: *************** Telephone number: ???? Physical address: ???? Company: Motivation: ???? need to fly in the sky and know what to avoid
Time registered: 16:32 pm 18/12/2010 The Aviation website of the South African Weather Service(SAWS) is for tariff-paying commercial
aviation users operating in/from South African Airspace !
For VFR/private aviation products visit the aviation section of SAWS main website at http://www.weathersa.co.za/web/AvChoicesVFR.asp.
Note: If you feel the products on this website do not meet your aviation requirements please register again and state this as part of your motivation.
In this case we also require RSA contact details and pilot license number.
If you are a handler for an airline or aviation company please supply company contact details and use company e-mail address. Please also provide some form of proof, in motivation, from the company you're representing.
Regards,
Aviation Admin
Aviation Weather Centre (AWC) - South African Weather Service
O.R. Tambo International Airport
Tel: +27 11 390 9333
Fax:+27 11 390 9332
E-mail: aviationadmin@weathersa.co.za
Website: www.weathersa.co.za - ( aviation.weathersa.co.za )
Weatherlines:
..