National Aviation industry warned about millennium bug 

 

Australia’s aviation industry could be thrown into chaos by the millennium bug, with a survey showing many in the industry did not take the threat seriously, the air safety watchdog warned on Monday.

        The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is so concerned about the complacency that director Mick Toller has written to the industry urging operators to take heed.

 

The millennium bug meant systems with computer chips and some computer programs would either shut down completely or malfunction as they clicked over to January 1, 2000.

        Computerised aviation systems, including hardware and software used for aircraft control displays, navigation, communications, engine controls, flight controls and loading of flight data, could be hit by the year 2000 (Y2K) problem.

        "This is not a media beat-up, but the considered opinion of the most informed authorities on the subject," Toller wrote.

        "It is the responsibility of senior managers and directors of aviation companies to ensure that computer-based equipment that affect safety will not be compromised by the changeover to the year 2000."

        The Coopers and Lybrand survey showed awareness of Y2K problems by management in the aviation industry was much lower than in other industries, with many believing most of their systems would be unaffected.

        CASA said large aircraft with integrated avionics systems were most likely to be affected while many small aircraft may not be affected at all.

        The millennium bug meant systems with computer chips and some computer programs would either shut down completely or malfunction as they clicked over to January 1, 2000.

        Without programming changes, systems would recognise 00 not as 2000 but as 1900 and, with 2000 a leap year, may not recognise February 29.

        Toller said operators needed to have equipment tested and verified by the manufacturer or supplier to ensure safe operation in 2000 and consider replacing equipment if safety could not be ensured.

        CASA said costs of correcting the problem were high, with hefty legal bills if problems occurred which could have been anticipated and were preventable.

        A follow-up survey will be conducted later this year.

        CASA also sent with the letter a Tax Office draft taxation ruling explaining which Y2K compliance costs were tax deductible. — AAP