Airservices Australia is today asking the general aviation industry to take part in a survey to help ensure a weather camera network is installed in locations that will deliver the greatest safety benefit.

Hosted on a public website, the network will provide access to an array of cameras that pilots can use to help view actual weather conditions at a variety of locations across Australia.

Aviation activist and entrepreneur Dick Smith donated $160,000 to Airservices in December 2016 to fund the network of weather cameras.

Airservices Chief Executive Officer Jason Harfield said Airservices has been working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and airports to identify sites with existing power, communication infrastructure and cameras, using these to provide the new service.

“Once these sites have been identified, we will initially launch the website in May with six locations. The next phase of the project will focus on planning and delivering camera infrastructure to other locations as we continue to expand the weather camera network,” Mr Harfield said.

Airservices is urging the general aviation industry to complete the online survey, which opens today, to identify new locations that aviators would most value.

“By completing the survey, industry will assist Airservices to identify those locations that the aviation community feels would most benefit from up-to-date visual weather assessments.”

“The survey will be open until 30 April 2017.” Mr Harfield said.

Once the results of the survey have been collated, Airservices will provide further information on the final selection of locations and the schedule of the weather camera network roll out.