Caa Sponsors Seventh Helicopter Techni- Cal Conference The CAA will sponsor the 7th Helicopter Technical Conference in Canberra on the 19th and 20th of October. The objectives of the conference are to exchange views, improve awareness, and explain airworthiness technical prob- lems involved in the operation of helicopters. The meeting will cover issues related to

NZ News With Michael Short Blood-Alcohol Tests for Pilots? Police and civil aviation officials may be given the power to require breath and blood tests from pilots suspected of drinking. The Civil Aviation Authority is considering promoting a change to plug an apparent loophole which currently stops authorities from carrying out alcohol tests on pilots.

 As predicted in earlier “On the Airbands” columns, Qantas (and also Ansett) has banned video games, laptop computers and other types of electronic devices during approach and landing sequences, allowing them to be used only in cruising flight. Some devices emit signals strong enough to interfere with sensitive navigation and communications equipment. Highly computerised navigation

Austere Budget Puts Defence Strategies Under Threat in Future Years Government “guidance” for future Defence spending has seriously threatened the major re-equipment strategies, operational readiness and manpower of the Australian Defence Force. The Defence Budget cut of 0. 75% for 1993/94, which was not unexpected given the Keating Government’s budget deficit problems, is seen as