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The industry has had four years to transition to the new rules and has failed to take any substantive steps to do so. Instead they have lobbied relentlessly for the legislation to be repealed on the basis that safety costs too much.

How many accidents does it take to “prove” that there is a problem we need to address.

Cathay ends Boeing 747 pas-senger services

Grumpy says: The privilege of a night time jump seat landing into Kai Tak with an Aussie crew on B-HOY will forever live in my memory. Thank you Cathay for such a wonderful experience. Sadly times have changed. Kai Tak is gone, cockpit visits are no longer allowed and now an iconic airline has retired a truly icon aircraft. I must be getting old…

Boeing rolls out first RAAF P-8A Poseidon

Peter E says: No loiter without tanker support. Low level 200ft? Lose an engine, an immediate return to base.

Many things about the P8 are below the ability of the AP-3C. Will be interesting to see how much SOP change to suit it.

The road runner says: The P-8 does not fly the low profiles of the Orion… P-8 harvest information from higher altitude.

This is a true 5th generation maritime aircraft, P-8s have some nifty features and its said they can do some AWACs functions better than our Wedgetails.

It’s a smart choice for Australia as we already operate 737 in the form of the Wedgetail. This reduces training costs, support costs and parts will be plentiful. Sortie rates will be very high and with the added capability of tankers, P-8s should be able to stay in the air for 16 hours plus as our Wedgetails have shown in Iraq.

Sen Xenophon plans to strike down new drone regulations

Flyer says: Relaxing these regs for small drone commercial operators doesn’t exactly leave them with a massive amount of freedom. There are still quite limiting restrictions associated with this and they are also still required to submit a ‘flightplan’ of sorts to CASA… Meanwhile recreational operators can do whatever they like whether it’s legal or not as they don’t have to submit flight plans to CASA. I’d be betting that these drone near misses are not rogue commercial operators but irresponsible recreational owners. Putting further restrictions or reinstating restrictions for commercial operators I don’t think will make much of a difference as it’s in their best interests (livelihoods) to behave…

Up, up and away for nbn co’s Sky Muster II satellite

Ben says: Meanwhile an opportunity to launch a SBAS for Australia (and the nearby region) has been lost… twice!

Sydney Airport opens charity Runway Run to the public

Sam says: Now I know why I’m always holding on arrival to Sydney! That’ll be an interesting NOTAM!!

Now I know why I’m always holding on arrival to Sydney!