John I remember that day well. I had to pick up Roz Kelly, the current Minister at the time. We sat on the ground with the rotor turning for over half an hour awaiting a clearance as there were no proper ATC procedures for helicopters.
Eventually got away to Richmond and I suggested she go back by car. I think she did.
It all started after a mid air at Bankstown where the ATCs were given some of the blame. This resulted in VFR traffic at Sydney being separated using IFR type separation standards. Took years to fix.