It is interesting to read how personal some of the attacks get here. I suspect if you were having dinner with Mr Smith at Est restaurant you may tone it down a little.
Mr Dick Smith has contributed a vast wealth of knowledge/effort in the Australian avaition scene
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I should think that a great deal more respect should be shown to a man of his level, even if you do not agree with his position
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Cost and avaition is a subject that has always been with us, and now with 'cheap airlines' Jetstar, Lionair etc this debate is sure to continue.
My two cents worth: Where the traveling public pay to fly the level of safety should be second to none - Class C/D minimum.
Control of airspace is central to any safe flight with aircraft carring 150+ pax, let alone 6 people. Pilot error is always there, but why not have airspace controllers there as a second set of eyes.
So what would be the cost to upgrade to class C or class D?