Air safety board holds first meeting

Press, 4 February 1982, Page 8

Air safety board holds first meeting

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor Three former senior airline pilots who are the members of the Government’s new Aviation Safety Board met officially in Christchurch for the first time on Tuesday. But they were not investigating any air safety incidents: their visit was purely to meet industry leaders and to acquaint them of the board’s role and terms of reference. Captain R. Puttick, of Auckland, is chairman of the board. Other members are Captain G. B. Williams, of Oust, and Captain E. P. M. Dowd, of Auckland. The board was appointed late last year by the former Minister of Aviation (Mr McLachlan). They have had extensive experience as commercial pilots. Captain Puttick flew with the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War 11, and then with Tasman Empire Airwavs and Air New Zealand with a career that spanned from flying boats to DCIUs.

Captain Williams, who was also a wartime pilot, later flew with the National Airways Corporation, South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand and the Mount Cook

Line. He was the company’s chief ♦ pilot and operations manager when he retired three years ago. Captain Dowd! who is a qualified accountant, flew with N.A.C., and was for 10 years a captain on Boeing 7375. He is a former president of the Air Line Pilots' Association.

The board’s terms of reference include investigation and recommendations on specific aspects of air safety as requested by the Director of Civil Aviation, or at their own initiative.

They will also undertake reviews of the findings on serious accidents at the request of the Minister. (Captain Puttick said he could not comment when asked whether the board might become involved in the Mount Erebus disaster.) ‘Another aspect to be tackled by the board will be to find ways of improving public awareness of air safety, and to consider whether particular accident reports should be made public, or whether a more comprehensive inquiry is required. The board will also monitor the activities of commercial airlines and their safety requirements.