[Kharon]

First, last and only comment.

Dick is, no doubt about it, a fine advocate for aviation – a statesman if you will and while I appreciate the gesture; I wonder, how many can spot the humorous irony of Dicks little Mickey taking exercise. If Halfwit thinks they’re a good idea, then that’s all that needs to be said about the Flaming Ridiculous Electronic Devices (FRED’s). Darren 6D will probably want to sell advertising time on the stupid things; and, reserve a slot for the selfie hour and of course ‘election fluff, puff and nonsense’. He could even rope Halfwit into performing. The dynamic duo of Donuffin – live, on a weather camera stream in your cockpit. GD– where’s that bloody bucket?

At least installing one near Hoody’s little swamp would provide entertainment value; which would be one of the more practical uses for these foolish toys. For any practical aeronautical purpose these toys are absolutely bloody useless – unless you happen to be within 20 minutes flight time – provided you can access the ‘service’ from the cockpit; even then – apart from gaining a distorted ‘personal’ assessment of the general conditions, can you measure the cloud base or the visibility; accurately enough to say ‘Yup, I’m legal’. Will you bet ‘your’ assessment against the TAFOR or METAR when CASA haul your sorry arse into court for operating below minimums?  Well, good luck with that.

There are sound, very solid reasons for the TAF using terms like ‘INTER’ and ‘TEMPO’ then adding ‘buffers’. Ever wonder why so much is invested in ‘forecasting’ rather than ‘actual’? Well the weather can change fairly quickly and just because Kickinatinalong’ looked great at -0700; there is no guarantee it will OK when you get there two hours; or even a hour later. But you knew that….

That’s it, life is far too short to be concerned about irrelevant trivialities such as a Halfwit presser.

Toot – retch – toot.