CIVIL AVIATION CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25537, 3 July 1948, Page 7

CIVIL AVIATION CONTROL

MEETING OF WORLD ORGANISATION INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT STANDARDS DEBATED (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. The International Civil Aviation Organisation. which has concluded its second assembly meeting at Geneva, discussed several matters of importance to New Zealand civil aviation. One of these was air mail postal charges. A report was received from the president of the Universal Postal Union recommending that the surtax at present levied by some countries (including New Zealand) upon air mails should be eliminated. The assembly did not discuss this suggestion, which was regarded as one primarily for the Universal Postal Union, but took note of its importance. The conference devoted considerable time to discussing international standards of airworthiness which, it is hoped, will eventually be adopted by the civil aviation authorities of all the member countries. Before the meeting of the assembly, its council circulated suggestions to all the member nations recommending the adoption of certain international aircraft standards. These are now being studied by the member nations and, if adopted, will come into force at varying dates next year. Ownership of Airlines

The New Zealand delegation, which was headed by Mr Foss Shanahan, Assistant Secretary of External Affairs, raised the matter of international ownership and operation of civil aircraft and, in conjunction with Australia, moved a resolution directing the council to submit detailed reports upon the legal, economic and administrative problems involved within a specified period.

The charges which may be levied by any country for airport and other aviation facilities which it provides within its territories for the benefit of international operators, was discussed at length. It was decided to undertake immediately a study of all airport and navigation facilities on world routes, and to ask the council to prepare a report recommending a basis of charges, and methods by which they might be levied. The conference also considered the question of defining non-scheduled or charter air services with a view to establishing internationally acceptable rules for their operation. It was decided to ask all member States to give details of the various services, both scheduled and non-scheduled, operated in their territories. When this information is received, an effort will be made to divide the various services into suitable classifications, and to draw up regulations for their control. The assembly decided under the terms of its convention to establish an international air navigation t mission consisting of 12 members, who will have the responsibility for collecting and collating all technical reports and information on air navigation problems.