STOP PRESS! EETs are no longer required! Why are time intervals required for IFR flight plans?

Unique and time consuming flight planning requirements - anyone know the reason?

Pilots who fly in other countries know that the ICAO flight plan form is very simple. However, the Australian ICAO form requires under Section 18 that time intervals be estimated and written in for various reporting points. This time consuming requirement is not needed in other aviation countries which use the ICAO form.

I have recently checked with Airservices who advised that the time intervals are still required. Can anyone advise why?

I know when we conceived the original TAAATS system back in 1990 that these time intervals were not required as the computer works out the times from the stored information on winds and the TAS of the aircraft.

Entry last amended 16/1/02.