cazatou:
The aspect that Ark Royal has consistantly refused to acknowledge is that the return flight was planned at medium level
I don't agree with you. I have never considerred the return journey. It is irelevent, and having seen the weather on the way out, may have influenced a decision to remain in Scotland.
The flight was quite properly planned VFR. The alternative would be to have turned back. What actually happened we will never know.
The 4 degC level, as far as the crew could calculate from the known freezing level, was 2500ft ASL.
Medium level was NOT an option.
I trust you are not inferring any criticism of the evidence of the RN Officer who was the other Chinook Captain of the Detatchment.
I am somewhat confused by my inference that you are mixing up the terms 'imply' and 'infer'.
I knew IK very well, and have no reason to imply any critisism of him, nor to infer that you may have done.
What crew briefing was carried out, we will never know, as those found guilty were unavailable to give their crucial evidence.