As you say K definitely worth the read!
All that legal 'toing and froing' just so the CASA investigator can view the uncut footage, says a lot about the legal system!
Now because of all the stalling the investigator (MH) is concerned that the proposed evidence that the uncut footage may/may not show could become null and void as it approaches a statutory time limit (3 years). No wonder the appellant's lawyers are stalling!
This explains a lot in another CASA investigation that I am aware of.
Kharon said:
'Dear Plod. The producers of documentary we are making have asked if we could do a scene showing us towing a water skier behind a Robbie'. 'The guy is an insured stunt skier, the pilot has done 5 zillion towing exercises (flags, banners etc) and we will have safety boats out along a 1 mile stretch of very isolated dam on a private property'. 'What do you think?. Huh ?. 'Best regards Dodgy Ops'.
It is a blight on the regulator that we have come to this impasse. No longer do operators feel free and unencumbered to consult with the regulator on operational matters. Dodgy operators now seem to take great delight in thumbing their nose at the regulator, as a consequence there is less incentive for an operator to be compliant and ultimately safer!
The regulator has become more and more disassociated from the industry, they have lost their mandate to regulate and consult. Sadly this will probably mean we will see more of these types of cases (for those that can afford it) tying up the courts!