ANTARCTIC RUNWAYS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 15

ANTARCTIC RUNWAYS

Three Ice Strips Completed

Runways carved out of the ice at McMurdo Sound, Cape Hallett, and Marble Point were completed on Tuesday morning, according to a message received at the United States advance headquarters, Harewood, yesterday. The strip at McMurdo Sound is 5000 ft long and 200 ft wide with an over-run of 1000 ft. As in the past pine trees, which were taken to the Antarctic from Christchurch last summer, will mark the borders of the runway. The Cape Hallett landing strip is 6000 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a 1000 ft over-run. The edges at Cape Hallett are marked with clusters of barrels every 500 ft. An emergency runway is marked on ice 80in thick at Marble Point. The boundaries of the 6500 ft by 250 ft runway are marked by bamboo poles and billboards. There is an over-run of 2000 ft at Marble Point.

A ski-equipped Dakota made three successful instrument landings at McMurdo Sound on Saturday to test ground control approach equipment. The flights were made in low visibility. When the weather clears the McMurdo Sound runway surfaces will be checked by the same aircraft using conventional wheels for landing. According tp the message a helicopter flight was also made from McMurdo Sound to Cape Royds on Ross Island with a group of scientists.

Roads Bill.— The 20 North Canterbury counties in Ward 11 of the Counties’ Association will hold a special meeting in Christchurch tomorrow morning to discuss the National Roads Amendment Bill. Members are reported to be Seeking the reference of the bill to a committee of the House of Representatives so that the far-reaching effects on county finance and administration can be more fully discussed.