PREVENTING AIR PIRACY

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 4

PREVENTING AIR PIRACY

Secret device ' for killing (NZP-A.'Reuter—Copyright) TORONTO, October 11. Top-secret devices capable of Singling out and killing aircraft hijackers have been developed in the United States, it was revealed in Toronto. The president of the Canadian Airline Pilots’ Association, Mr Charles Simpson, told a businessmen’s club last night that pilots were prepared to have the devices installed because hijacks were acknowledged by most countries as a capital offence. Describing methods to prevent air piracy, he said that most major United States air terminals were being equipped with magnetometers capable of detecting concealed arms, but his association was told less than a month ago that the Federal Government had no plans to install the devices in Canadian terminals.

Mr Simpson said that some airlines were installing bulletproof cockpits and the United States Government planned to place 2500 armed guards aboard commercial urcraft. '.

“It has also been suggested from time to time that flight crews be armed," he said. “We have opposed this because the possibility of the pilot being killed would be particularly frightening to passengers.” I