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A Victorian man has faced court for allegedly interfering with commercial aircraft radio transmissions in the state.
The 45-year-old from Lower Plenty appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested him on three charges of radio interference at Melbourne Airport over the course of two months.
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) alerted the AFP to “unauthorised access to aviation radio networks” being used to “broadcast various chants and false mayday recordings”, prompting an investigation this month.
Police executed a search warrant at the man’s house over the weekend and seized four handheld radios and other equipment that the suspect is alleged to have used to transmit the broadcasts, including a pair of mobile phones they claim contained recordings of chants and mayday calls.
“These offences are extremely serious. Aviation security is critical and appropriate procedures, processes and systems are in place to ensure the safety of aviation operations across Australian airports,” AFP Detective Superintendent Simone Butcher said.
“Anyone who attempts to compromise the safety of the travelling public, through false or unauthorised access to its operations and equipment, will be caught and brought before the courts.”
The AFP said the man has been charged with:
- One count of radio transmission capable of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, with the intention of prejudicing the safe operation of that aircraft, contrary to subsection 19(1) of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years’ imprisonment.
- One count of operating a radio communications device, namely, otherwise than as authorised by an apparatus licence, contrary to section 46(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is two years’ imprisonment.
- One count of using a transmitter that interfered with radio communications in a way that was prejudicial to the safe operation of an aircraft, contrary to section 192(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is five years’ imprisonment.
