tuc, thank you for your endorsement, for what seems blindingly obvious to me may not seem so to others. That someone who has intimate knowledge of the system, knows how it should work and how in effect it does not, sees no alternative other than a complete redesign with airworthiness authority vested outside of the MOD should act as a wake up call to those minded to sit on the fence on this one. This is not about the pros and cons of interfering in the MOD's fiefdom, this is about lives and saving them from needless avoidable accidents. The old system is now, to all intents and purposes, broken irredeemably, like so many of the institutions that have served this country well. May it Rest in Peace, but it must be replaced without delay or yet more chickens will be coming home to roost. Oh, and bad news Gordy, this is going to cost all the money that you denied so far. That is why we are in the mess that we are in. Thank goodness at least that you and your government are full square behind our Armed Forces.....well behind!