As we do not know what the PROPOSED flight regime was, on the part of SFENA and Aerospatiale,we also can not assume that any particular manoeuvr would not have been considered. (But as I said before, it would be great to find out the whole story).
I have some feelers out to see if I can get Dudley C's contact details. As Gordon says, he would/should be a good source - keep fingers crossed
CliveL