Plane Landing Trouble In Wet Being Checked

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31560, 23 December 1967, Page 28

Plane Landing Trouble In Wet Being Checked

(Neto Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 22. Although the incidence of suspected aquaplaning by aircraft on landing in wet weather was very small in this country, it was being treated very seriously, said the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Gordon) today.

Mr Gordon was commenting on reports of braking problems being experienced by aircraft landing in wet weather at the Gisborne, Wellington, Dunedin and Blenheim airports.

He said that in the case of Gisborne the department believed poor braking was being caused by water mixing with oil from the seal coat, providing a slippery surface on which aircraft tyres had difficulty gripping. The seal coat was being removed and the job should be completed in the next day or so. At Dunedin the surface specification would be the same as that for New Plymouth, which was proving satisfactory. Dunedin would be resealed soon. Mr Gordon said that the

Wellington and Blenheim airports yrere under intensive investigation. In the meantime, advice had been issued to National Airways Corporation pilots on precautions to be taken when landing on wet runways. The problem of wet runway surfaces was receiving

considerable attention in many parts of the world, and was being discussed at the air navigation conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation at Montreal. New Zealand had a representative at this conference and he would report on the matter on his return.