Details Given On Air Traffic Staff

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 3

Details Given On Air Traffic Staff

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 26, Details on air traffic controllers were given to Parliament today by the Minister of Civil Aviation, (Mr McAlpine), in reply to two questions from Mr J. G. Edwards (Opp., Napier).

Mr McAlpine confirmed it was correct that Civil Aviation staff were used for air traffic control at Whenuapai and Ohakea instead of service staff.

Asked why service staff were not used, the Minister said they were not trained. Mr Edwards: If service staff were used at these two Air Force stations would sufficient civilian staff be made available to enable Hawke's Bay airport to be fully manned with trained air traffic controllers?

The Minister replied, no, because there were no trained staff available. Later Mr Edwards asked if it was correct that there were “sitting at desks at head office. Civil Aviation-trained air traffic controllers.”

“In the present emergency

could they be released for airport duty to enable airports! such as Hawke's Bay to re-1 vert to being fully mannedl with trained air traffic controllers.” Mr McAlpine confirmed the] first part of the question was correct, but replied “No” to the second. Officers, he added, were already fully engaged. In a supplementary ques-j tion, Mr J. B. Gordon (Govt.. Clutha) asked how many men with qualifications to run Wellington airport were sitting at desks, and whether the shortage of air traffic controllers was first mentioned in the 1958 report. Mr McAlpine said there was: one qualified person, and told the House he believed the: shortage was first mentioned! in 1958.