Mystery Chopper

geoffco, what did the funny looking antenna look like ?

Yes couldn’t help but notice the chopper. I assumed it was to do with traffic monitoring or aerial photography. The traffic thing makes sense as roadwork on Commonwealth Ave bridge had just started. I doubt it was related to Chinese Premier’s visit.
Also, the 21 gun salute at Parly House was a welcome for the Dutch Prime Minister, who had arrived that morning.

Yup they drop the chicken from the chopper to determine the weather… it all depends on the pitch of the chook noises and the rate at which it falls

Chickens in choppers, AD?

It’s on account of the Chinese guy. I have that on good authority – can’t say more without risking a 14 day ‘absence’ at Her Majesty’s leisure.

They use a weather chicken???

Ahh 2CC, about as helpful as Stevie Wonder in a landmine field

I suspect 2CC’s ‘traffic helicopter’ is just a bit of background noise which sounds like a helicopter, and some tweaking to make the bloke’s voice sound like its coming through a cockpit headset.

If they’ve got a chopper buzzing around Canberra, why the fark do they ask people to call in if they come across something on the roads?????

the chopper was looking for people who had broken their pledge not to drop cigarette filters on the ground.

a team of shock troops would be despatched for reeducation and contact counselling if one was observed.

Shauno, it’s not about necessity; it’s about being seen, having a local presence.

Hiring a helicopter for this reason is much cheaper than employing more journalists to actually cover the territory. (They have 1 per shift, ie:2, right now).

So it’s not a waste of money. 2CC would have to spend it in the first place anyhow to qualify for that category.