Does NZ prohibit non-RVSM aircraft in RVSM airspace? My understanding was that it was up to the controller and the volume of traffic in that airspace as to whether you are given a clearance. If the WW was not RVSM compliant then wouldn't that suggest that extra fuel be taken in case higher levels were not available?
I still can't accept that the crew (I include the F/O and not just the PIC) are victims of the system and could not influence the events of that night. That Pel-Air were deficient in their manuals or their support of the air-med operations is obvious, that CASA are subservient to the demands of industry rather than regulating without fear or favour requires a separate investigation and that the ATSB could have done a better report is probable, but all this could have been negated by a crew deciding that flying to a remote destination without a Plan B was a risk not worth taking.