Mary Schiavo comes to mind, thats one woman with giant nuts
004,
You obviously don't know the full story of the above woman, she was thoroughly discredited, in part for her activities as Inspector General of DoT in relation to aviation ---- and it was NOT vested interests going after her.
If, by CAA you mean UK, no way, look what happened the last time we had somebody from UK CAA injected into CASA (and that was "Dick's pick"). CAA NZ is too close to home and too small. This leaves FAA and the Canadians.
It is a sad comment on Australia and Australians that it has to be an
"overseas expert" --- we know in great detail what the problems are, but the minute you nominate somebody from here, there will howls from multiple directions about "conflict of interest" and worse --- a serious national failing.
Tootle pip!!