CASA v Fearless Phelan.

[Kharon]

A four legged friend.

Ah Fantome; you speak of the old days; when the earth was soft, the sky was misty, all Fokkers were Friendly and flight deck sandwiches were always soggy. Such was life then.

These Fokkers ain't so friendly now, tea and biccy's - not on the menu. There is a measurable, demonstrable negative impact on operational and public safety being 'enforced' on the aviation community. Regrettably, as there is no viable avenue to reach a voice of reason it has become necessary to hang all of the industry dirty washing out, in public.

You will find there are some who will split hairs, argue endlessly, witlessly and pointlessly about the differences between a hard set limitation and a demonstrated crosswind component, even about demanding a full blown stall in aircraft with strict AFM prohibitions against exactly that.

Even my Mama knows that in the hands of a "pilot" a 12 knot crosswind is child's play; in the hands of a first solo cadet, that the instructor needs his arse kicked for sending young spotty out to play in dangerous conditions. But when the hairdressers, cross dressers and the letter of the law mob "Golden West Mafia" get involved; well it's time to shoot straight and take no prisoners.

The days of respect, probity, responsibility and good old fashioned horse sense have been sacrificed to the Gods of "we, the experts place blood on the hands of those brave enough to defy us".

Experts – Bollicks !. Rejects from the pencil sharpening cupboard, loadmasters, has been, wanna be, failed or sacked from industry; not a halfway decent pilot amongst them anymore. At least someone got smart and stopped them flying before there was an elegant no responsibly black letter law version of a smoking hole. Praise be.

And yes, it's not very much like the world of my much loved four legged friends where it's still a question of judgement not black letter law which will ultimately keep you and those you care for alive.

Selah.