Originally Posted by
Squawk7700
how is the Avalon airspace that complicated that someone with his experience doesn’t know how to transit through it, and if so, how did this happen
It looks like from 2010 to 2019 Avalon Class E operated as effectively Class D. Instrument CASA 178/10 required a pilot to maintain 2 way communication with the tower while operating in the airspace. That would constitute a clearance in Class D.
Instrument CASA 178/10 was repealed in 2019.
I can see how someone who worked from their charts and/or how they were trained instead of keeping up with the legislative instruments might make mistakes. It also seems reasonable to be cautious - I don't know whether Instrument 178/10 has been replaced by something with similar effect.