I saw the calibration aircraft working 34R while I was out there this morning.

And 16L?
 

OK - I see that 16L will take nine weeks from 10 January which takes us to the Ides of March: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/...up/a10-h20.pdf

For such an important nav aid, nine weeks does seem to be a very long time to me - what is actually involved and why does it take so long?

They have to run new fibre optic cables, often replace the computer room (red and white 'KFC' building near the facility), demolish the old one, survey and lay the foundation for the new ILS facility, re-grade the earth mat in front of the Glidepath if required, erect the new ILS system (localiser or glidepath including monitor aerial and DME), calibrate it, commission it.

Then you have to factor in the weather; poor weather often means work can't be carried out. Cranes are needed for some of the demolition/installation, so curfew works may need to be undertaken.
Etc, etc, etc

I'm sure there's more to it, but that's a pretty basic rundown.

Add some manpower?
 

Maybe if you had someone to help you it could be done more quickly, Nigel!

These things take time, and I'm sure the Airservices Aust. project team are getting it done as quickly as they can.

*BUMP*

If you get the chance to listen to the ATIS, do it. ATC has kindly added a little Australia Day touch...

Nice one guys.:D

Also they are using the old voice :D Reminds me of the US ATIS's(sounds like Mic Sam??).

Apparently they can't get the new voice to say 'Oi' right, so on Australia Day, they had to import the old foreign voice.:)

Flying out at Bankstown this morning and the ATIS (and ground controller) had a beautiful Russian accent for Australia Day.

Luckily we're not in CNS!
 

ATIS this morning is showing 16L and 16R anemometers as unserviceable - is this programmed maintenance or have they just got wind?