Radar shut down

Press, 12 September 1980, Page 2

Radar shut down

Wellington Airport’s precision approach radar was shut down indefinitely from Wednesday night because of a shortage of air: traffic controllers.

However, pilots are using other ground-based aids, such as radio beacons,- as well as aids in their aircraft to guide them into the airport. Concern about the shutdown was expressed yesterday by the Wellington branch chairman of the Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, Mr A. Herd.

“Anything that compromises safety standards is not good,” he said, “but with the staff shortage something had to go.”

Mr E. McNae, the Civil Aviation Division’s assistant director (ground services) expressed confidence that there would be no problem with aircraft using the available aids without the,, pre* cision approach radar. He had met the air traffic controllers on Wednesday and had also spoken to the Airline Pilots’ Association, Air New Zealand, Safe Air, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. “The airlines say they do not like to see an aid close down,” he said. “However, their aircraft, are equipped to use the various other aids available such as the instrument landing system and radio beacon approaches.”

il The pilots had Indicated t the matter would be dis- ;) cussed at a meeting of their it central, board in 10 days, he n said. - “They said there have » been problems with the glide * slope.'from, the north using c ■the instrument landing sysy tern, and without the pree cision approach radar some i, pilots might be concerned.” r, Mr McNae said the pred cision radar was nearing the end of its maintainable life o and it was unlikely a new e radar would be installed. •. “However, this is subject d to us being able to prove in s service that the installation - we have at the moment is d all the guidance required,” he said.