LIGHT AIRCRAFT AT HAREWOOD

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28551, 2 April 1958, Page 11

LIGHT AIRCRAFT AT HAREWOOD

Control Discussed With C.A.A. The opinions of light aircraft operators on the flying restrictions at Christchurch Airport, after a three months’ trial, were aired yesterday at a meeting with Civil Aviation Administration officers. Representations of more than 12 operators, including the Canterbury Aero Club, agricultural aviation firms and the National Airways Corporation flying club, met in the office of the regional superintendent (Mr P. E. Hudson). From Wellington to' discuss their problems and the whole question of safety at the airport, were Mr James Weir, flight operations officer, representing the divisional controller of operations (Mr L. F. P. Taylor), and Mr A. H. Milestone, air traffic controller. Option for Operators The option given light aircraft operators is to equip their aircraft with two-way radios or land and take-off at all times parallel to the runways in use. This often requires them to land and take-off in cross-winds—not a difficult feat for the skilled agricultural pilots, but most difficult, if not actually dangerous, tor trainee-pilots who are members of the areo club. In the first eight months of this financial year, the club logged an average of 367 flying hours a month. In the four months since the restrictions were imposed this average has fallen to 308 hours a month, almost entirely, according to the club, because of the C.A.A. restrictions. ‘‘All operators were agreed that improved safety was important,” said Mr Hudson after the meeting. His report of the discussions will now be considered by the administration which will announce its decision later.