Air N.Z. Training “May Be Too Rigid’’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 3

Air N.Z. Training “May Be Too Rigid’’

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 9. A former Opposition Leader, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, said today the rigidity of training flights by Air New Zealand may be too realistic in view of the recent DCB crash at Mangere and the T.E.A.L. Electra crash a year or two ago.

Speaking in Parliament during debate on the estimates of the Civil Aviation Department and meteorological services, Mr Nordmeyer said the DCB crash came on the heels of the T.E.A.L. Electra accident after similar circumstances.

“Air New Zealand or T.E.A.L. as it used to be known —has an enviable record as far as accidents go. but it must constitute something of a record that two of its aircraft, have been lost while simulating breakdowns,” he said. “Everybody knows that pilots should know what to do in an emergency, but surely it is going too far when two engines are cut.” Mr Nordmeyer suggested the aircraft were far too expensive to risk in simulated break-downs.

The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) said that “this sort of thing” never took place when passengers were in the aircraft, but pointed out that it was essential to

train pilots to handle a situation such as one when one motor or two gave out during take-off.

“It is essential that pilots must have experience in handling aircraft under these conditions,” he said. Mr McAlpine said he had not yet received the report on the DCB crash from the Chief Inspector of Accidents. Mr C. J. Moyle (Opp.. Manukau) asked whether it would be possible to use simulated training in New Zealand. He realised considerable cost would be involved, but the present training programme already had cost New Zealand dearly with the DCB tragedy. The Minister replied that training on a simulator had some advantages. It could be purchased for about £lOO.OOO. compared with the cost of an aeroplane. While some training could be done this way. the final training must be on aircraft, however, Mr McAlpine said.