Username. This accident was clearly caused because RAAF requirements prohibit civilian pilots from planning and flying the safest way down the coast .
The pilot got safely to Taree from the border at night. A night VMC flight is normally flown in VMC and it's known that Williamtown was CAVOK that night.
The only reason he turned inland after Taree was to comply with RAAF imposed flight planning requirements.
If the gyro instruments had failed at the same time but the pilot was on the coast there was excellent visibility ahead to allow for a safe continuation of the flight to Bankstown .
I spoke today to a pilot who flew down the coast ahead of MDX on the same night and this pilot said it was a perfect night for a NVMC flight.
If the pilot of MDX had been allowed to file a plan from Taree to overhead Williamtown the Willy controller would have had prior details via the FDP system ( or it's equivalent ) and would have adequate time to advise Sydney FS of the levels that a clearance would be available without a delay.
The only reason the Willy controller could not do this is because of the RAAF requirement .
Stop attacking me. Help get this restrictive limitation removed before more lives are lost.