[Kharon]

The IOS have their say.

Ah Wombat; quite correct, forgotten happy memories of Fred and Flo at the Steam Packet hotel, the laughs, the hopes, dreams and of course the solutions to the woes of the world, washed down with fine Ale in good company. When "we were young and free."

All grown up now; alas. Older, wiser and experienced in the wicked ways of the real world. Response to McDoolittle's trite complaints being a prime example of the industry's 'weltschmerz'.

I cannot be bothered to list every single 'inquiry' and investigation in the aviation saga over the last three decades. To even estimate the man hours invested and private funds expended responding to these events. Let's just say it has been a staggering amount and leave it at that. Almost the entire industry got behind the Pel-Air inquiry, Fawcett, Xenophon et al did a magnificent job; which led to the ASSR; and the Rev. Forsyth did the honours in good faith. We all held our breath, not daring to make a sound lest any chance of meaningful reform vanished in a puff of smoke, lost in the mirrors of Sleepy Hollow. I forget the accurate numbers now, but the Senate committee put up some 60 odd 'recommendations'; the ASSR about the same; all dismissed as 'opinion' - agreed to in principal and sent down to the tomb of good intentions. Nothing, absolutely nothing changed for the better; despite the incredible cost in time, effort and money; expended in good faith.

Now McDolittle wants to make a comeback on the aviation band wagon. Two years to reaffirm that which has stood out like the proverbial dog's balls. Angel Flight, despite the rhetoric still stuck with silly requirements; Buckley another victim of the system to add to a very long list of those treated to the great embuggerance.

Very few were fooled by the McDolittle sudden application of political reverse thrust; internal party politics not being that closely guarded a secret. Yet, 'we' are now to be the source of McDoolittle's 'disappointment'. Well, you show me yours Senator and I'll show you mine, alongside a disappointed industry's. Don't bleat on at industry - get the DPM to include the changes demanded writ into his 'statement of expectations' and make it stick- that would be of more value than another few days spent drafting yet another submission doomed to end up in the basement to rot.

But please; don't use industry's lack of enthusiasm for yet another two year wait to arrive back in the same place for your failure to be effective or useful. L&K the Ills of Society.

Toot - toot.....