N.Z. Air Control System Prepared For Future

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29940, 29 September 1962, Page 13

N.Z. Air Control System Prepared For Future

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. New Zealand compared well in aviation matters with many of the ninety or so nations represented at the fourteenth assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Rome, said the Assistant Director of Civil Aviation (Mr L. F. P. Taylor). New Zealand still had to open its first fully internationally recognised airport, but the groundwork of organisation here was well prepared. Many other countries had still to get down to an effective system of air traffic control, he added. The New Zealand delegation to the assembly comprised Mr R. B. Rae, Air Secretary, Mr D. F. Toms, senior executive officer (Transport) Civil Aviation Administration, Mr C. D. Geary. of the External Affairs Department (stationed in Ottawa), and Mr Taylor. Messrs Rae and Toms are still overseas. Mr Taylor said New Zealand had shown sound foresight when, in 1948. a unified basis of air control had

been established for both civil and military aviation. Most countries still had divided civil and military air traffic organisations. General and technical discussions of the problems ahead had occupied a lot of time in Rome.

The assembly had adopted measures to ensure that when supersonic civil aircraft are developed and put into service they operate with safety at least equal to that of subsonic aircraft, and no special ground services or airports will be needed, and that they do not create noise exceeding the jet level and shall operate without creating intolerable conditions from sonic boom.

"One of the greatest problems before small countries is finding the money, the technical experience and the many skills essential tor design, installation, maintenance and operation of the complex machinery of air traffic control, navigational aids and communications which world aviation now must have,” said Mr Taylor.