THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1980. Radar for Momona Airport

Press, 26 July 1980, Page 14

THE PRESS SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1980. Radar for Momona Airport

Earlier this week the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr McLachlan, gave - an assurance that the flood-damaged surveillance radar at Momona Airport will be either repaired or replaced. This assurance defused the threat of a ban by : pilots and cleared the way for the first commercial flights to Dunedin for seven weeks. Because it was so obviously’the right decision it should not have been preceded by the dithering that ultimately led the Minister into giving his undertaking under industrial duress. There should have been neither doubt about the heed for such equipment nor delay in taking the necessary action to get it working again as soon as possible. Surveillance radar is used by air traffic controllers at all major airports to monitor flights within their area and. to ensure that aircraft can climb or descend through

cloud or darkness in safety. This is not to suggest that flights over Dunedin in the meantime will be unsafe; but the absence, of the aid of radar in bad weather will force pilots to adopt the more complicated and longer “procedural” descents to maintain prescribed margins of safety. Passengers will experience delays, 'aircraft are more likely, to be diverted, and airlines will face higher, costs, caused by increased fuel consumption. How long the radar will remain inoperative will depend on whether the existing water-logged equipment can be repaired. If it has to be replaced, a period of 18 months is expected to elapse before pilots and controllers can again enjoy the security of radar surveillance over the; lower half of the South Island. The Ministry must ensure that’the matter is given top; priority.