DENSITY OF AIR TRAFFIC

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27962, 8 May 1956, Page 18

DENSITY OF AIR TRAFFIC

“Navigation Aids Lag Behind” “SUPPLY SHORT OF DEMAND” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) MONTREAL. May 6. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (1.C.A.0.) foresees a situation in which navigation aids and facilities necessary for the regularity, efficiency and economy of air transport will lag behind new flying equipment and the increase in density of air traffic. These views have been included in a paper to be presented to the 1.C.A.0. assembly at its meeting next month in Caracas. Venezuela. The paper was released today from 1.C.A.0. headquarters here by the Assistant Secretary-General, Mr Alan Ferrier. In an accompanying statement Mr Ferrier said that during the last 10 years governments had made tremendous efforts in setting up existing facilities and services. But the supplj fell short of meeting operational requirements in many areas, and the operational requirements of the future would be more demanding. ‘•By far the most demanding of this new equipment is the long-range je aircraft which will cruise at around 575 miles an hour, will fly eight miles above the earth’s surface, and wher taking off for flights of the greatest length will weigh up to 300.0001 b, and will need runways as long as 10,000 feet,” Mr Ferrier said. He said that the increasing density of air traffic was already posing an international problem in Western Europe, in large parts of North America, and along the North Atlantic route. There would be need for rapid and reliable communications —both ground-to-ground and ground-to-air. as well as an adequate world-wide network of high altitude meteorological observations. probably at least up to 50.C00 feet. The 1.C.A.0. paper said that the major problems were of funds and, in some cases, lack of trained men in the member States which must supply the services.