Bundaberg Flight Service Unit - late 1980s
RAAF TPC with overlayWAC with overlaymulti-bay strip holderteleprinterbriefing counterFIS 2 air/ground positionwind and temperature instrumentsFIS 1 air/ground positionmulti-bay strip holder


These two views, above and below, show Bundaberg FSU toward the end of its existence in the late 1980s. The photo above is undated, but shows the two operational positions FIS 2, at left, and FIS 1. The FSO standing at right is Stan Woods.

Bundabeg FSU was responsible for providing a traffic and flight information service to aircraft operating Outside Controlled Airspace (OCTA) in a Flight Information Region (FIR) which comprised a coastal strip from Noosa in the south to the town of 1770 in the north, including Fraser and Lady Elliot Islands.

In the overhead map display the left hand World Aeronautical Chart has been replaced by a military Tactical Pilotage Chart, which gave a much better terrain representation than the WAC.

 

flight planning counterbriefing counterstorage for pre-printed weather and NOTAM summaries, flight plan forms etcFIS 3 briefer/supervisor positionUTC (GMT) clock


The photo above shows Bill Keir, second-last OIC of Bundaberg FSU from 1982-86, at the FIS 3 briefing/supervisor position on 30 April 1986. Bill Keir also did an ealier stint as OIC between 1971 and 1980.

The availability of satellite technology in the late 1980s enabling the remoteing of VHF radio outlets spelled the death of outstation Flight Service Units. Bundaberg was one of the first to close and in the final month of operation for Bundaberg FSU leading up to its closure on 10 December 1988 Brisbane FSC operated the unit remotely from mid-day while Bundaberg FSU 'ghosted' the operation.

However, on 5 December a floatplane went missing and a full-scale search was mounted in the area. The Bundaberg FSU resumed full operation to handle the search traffic. Unfortunately the aircraft was not found and the search was called off the day before the unit closed. However, the day after closure police divers found the aircraft in Monduran Dam under 15m of water. Added to that, a severe electrical, wind and rain storm cut communications in the Bundaberg area and isolated the community. As Bill Keir noted "It most certainly was a closure to remember"!

Bundaberg Aeradio/FSU 1946-1988

Much of this information is sourced from Bundy: Over and Out by Ken Cross, held in the CAHS archive.

(Photos: CAHS collection)


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