May 2  2006
Dick Smith is on the attack - again - this time he has sort legal advice over Airservices roll-back of his NAS designed OZ airspace system
 
Dick's NAS airspace model is based on the tried-and-proven USA system and one that he wanted implemented here in OZ for the obvious reasons of enhanced safety for all

News Desk Comment

Dick's argument is that here in OZ independent Federal Government organisations - in this case it's Airservices Australia - ..."is not following Government policy in relation to the National Airspace system" ...and he wants an answer as to why not!

May 3  2006
QANTAS along with a number of other OZ aircraft are at risk of having 8 of B737's - 4 of B767's and 5 of B747's registrations cancelled or suspended by CASA for non-compliance of the regulations
 
CASA have listed via their web page almost 800 aircraft that have not responded to the lodgement Form 25 covering CASR Part 47 of the Regulations

News Desk Comment

Originally required to be completed by November 15 2005 almost 8000 aircraft out of 12561 on the register at the beginning of 2006 had not responded to re-registering their machines
 
Down from 8000 in January to only 800 now! - report back then is HERE

May 5  2006
The Caboolture based 'Award Winning' Ryan STM sustained extensive damage when the Menasco Pirate C4S 'vintage' engine failed to respond at a crucial time shortly after take-off ...the aircraft was then seen to carry out a heavy landing and head towards an open drainage culvert alongside the airstrip

The machine struck the culvert and tipped over onto it's back ...the well known owner/pilot sustained a broken leg and 'cuts and bruises' and ended up in the Redcliffe Hospital
 

News Desk Comment

This particular Ryan was one of the best presented in OZ - and possibly the world - envied by many a pilot at 'vintage' fly-in's