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#21
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DUATS and LockMart
In article ,
"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote: Umm.. Those would be the folks that wish to pay for a free service? It won't be a free service. That's the point. Well almost. My point is why would LM push people from a service that costs them less to provide (DUATS) to one that costs them more to provide (Live Briefings)? For them, it really doesn't matter because the government is paying, not the consumer. But for LM, if they are permitted to provide an "extra" service for additional revenue, that could be very attractive, especially if there is no competition. JKG |
#22
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DUATS and LockMart
Jay Beckman wrote:
Hey All... I may have misinterpreted what I read, but did anyone else recently see any mention of a possible plan to take DUATS out of the realm of competitive bidding, give it soley to LockMart who would then remove it's status as an "official" source of Wx info? I saw the various fliers that one of the DUATS vendors was passing out during Airventure. They're big thing was that Lockheed was so new to the game, that it would take them many years to develop the product that currently exists with DUATS today. Call your congressman, boycott the FAA, etc, etc. Personally, I find that talk a little overblown. Its obvious that FS21 (the name for the FSS "service" that Lockheed is slated to provide) has a computer component to it. All the material I have received and heard from AOPA revolves around how with the new system, FSS will finally be in the current level of technology. One of the features supposedly is the ability to look at a web page showing the weather information while on the phone with a briefer. With both of you looking at the same information. I'm envisioning some sort of virtual whiteboard web based app, which would allow the briefer to highlight areas of weather directly to the interested party. In addition, the briefer will have information about you the pilot, your level of ratings, etc. So that information can be more tailored to you. If your IFR rated vs. VFR-only, etc. I can't imagine in today's day and age, not having a computer based method for getting weather information. Its cheaper for the government, its cheaper for Lockheed (and still would count as a "briefing" for their SLA counts), and all around more efficient. If Lockheed started charging extra for a computer briefing rather than a live phone briefing (which is supposed to still be free based on the current funding mechanism for the FAA), then pilots would simply continue to do what they do now. Use unofficial weather information, or talk only to live briefings. Which only drive up Lockheed's costs. I wouldn't worry too much about a computer based briefing going away. DUATS more than likely will go away, but that should only affect people whose livelihood depends on DUATS. |
#23
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DUATS and LockMart
"Jonathan Goodish" wrote in message ... In article , "Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote: Umm.. Those would be the folks that wish to pay for a free service? It won't be a free service. That's the point. Well almost. My point is why would LM push people from a service that costs them less to provide (DUATS) to one that costs them more to provide (Live Briefings)? For them, it really doesn't matter because the government is paying, not the consumer. But for LM, if they are permitted to provide an "extra" service for additional revenue, that could be very attractive, especially if there is no competition. I've seen nothing though that the FAA isn't going to pay LM for providing DUATS if they don't renew the current contracts. |
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