Managing Without Radar At Airports

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31333, 1 April 1967, Page 3

Managing Without Radar At Airports

(New Zealand Press Association?

AUCKLAND, March 31. Apart from loss of time on some flights the absence of surveillance radar at Auckland and Wellington airports does not appear to be giving pilots any concern.

The Wellington one was damaged in gales last month and the Auckland unit broke down a few days before Christmas because of assembly faults. An international airline pilot said today: “The radar is not nearly as important in Auckland as it is in Wellington. In Wellington it is imperative because of the hills.” The use of the radar in bad weather gives a close separation between aircraft, but when it is not used minor delays could occur. The pilot said he did not think the loss of radar was lowering safety standards.

“But from the pilots’ angle we want it back soon, especially in Wellington,” he said. “In Auckland there is a certain amount of latitude because there are so many beacons on which pilots can marshal in.”

Another pilot said he circled Wellington airport last night for 20 minutes before being able to land. “Radar is something we like to have,” he said. “But the loss of it is not prejudicial to safety.” It meant that air traffic control staff had to work harder to bring aircraft in.