Warning To Pilots On Low Flying

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 10

Warning To Pilots On Low Flying

(New Zealand Presi Association)

WELLINGTON, November 18. The Civil Aviation Department was becoming most concerned about unauthorised low flying and other breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations by pilots of light aircraft, the department’s acting director (Mr I. F. Walters) said today.

"The department's policy , has been to use its discretion not to prosecute when offences are trivial, technical or involuntary, or where other mitigating circumstances exist. “We have decided to enforce the regulations much more vigorously than in the past to try to reduce the increasing accident rate among i light aircraft used for non- ' commercial purposes. The previous discretion will be used more rarely from now on “Since the beginning of 1960 there have been 29 accidents associated with low Hying in aero clubs, flying schools and privately-owned pleasure aircraft. Sixteen of these accidents caused the death of 24 persons, including 13 pilots. “Any pilots who fly aircraft

contrary to the regulations will risk prosecution. “This department has no wish to play policeman to pilots. Its| primary concern is to ensure a high standard of aviation safety rather than to amass' prosecutions. But it now ap-' pears that more prosecutions will be necessary to fulfil the department’s responsibility," the statement said.