Dick Smith has been reported in the media saying that the cancellation of Qantas flights into and out-of Melbourne due to volcanic ash cloud at around 30-thousand feet was "ultra conservative" and had disrupted the plans of thousands of holiday makers and travellers over the Queen's Birthday long week-end



Virgin Australia resumed flights after carrying out its own investigation and altering the standard flying height for its aircraft

A 77-year-old gyrocopter pilot was lucky to have sustained only minor injuries after the rotary-wing flying machine he was operating crashed near a gliding club airfield about 19km south-west Bundaberg

"The aircraft was about a metre-and-a-half from the ground when it rolled to the left and crashed" - the Bundaberg man was later treated for head and shoulder injuries