‘Radar systems safe’

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 1

‘Radar systems safe’

PA Wellington The- Minister of Transport (Mr Gair) assured the public last evening that the radar systems used at New Zealand airports were safe.

“I am satisfied that the Civil Aviation Administration would not permit aircraft in and out of Auckland unless it was. confident the system was safe,” Mr Gair said. His comments followed the leaking earlier yesterday in Auckland of a report by two British aviation experts who questioned the safety of the “primary” radar systems used in New Zealand. Mr Gair said that he had not seen the full report, which was being studied by two committees of the Ministry of Transport, and air traffic control officials. One committee was studyipg the short term implications of the report, and was expected to report "before too long.” and the other the more far-reaching consequences, Mr Gair said. . The report had been commissioned last, year, before his becoming Minister of Transport, he said.

The report was delivered in February, and discussed with executives of.the Air Traffic Controllers' Association. In the normal course of events, Mr Gair said, he would not have been involved with. it until firm proposals had been made for Government consideration.

Mr Gair emphasised that the report had not been kept secret, or dealt with in. anything but a routine manner. One of the report's main concerns is said to be the use of “primary” radar in New Zealand. Secondary surveillance radar is used in conjunction with primary radar at overseas airports, but not in New Zealand.

Mr Gair said, however, that the report acknowledged that problems with radar were usual in countries with topography like New Zealand's.

He said that two recent near-misses near Auckland Airport were being investigated by the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, Mr Ron Chinoindale.

The report said that New Zealand's air traffic cohtrol

system is. so underfinanced, and undermanned that air safety could be endangered. The authors, an air traffic control expert, Mr R. A. Pepall and a specialist engineer, Mr T. F. Spriggs, both of the British Civil Aviation Authority, are scathing of Civil Aviation management which, they say. lacks direction, and is not "inspired towards progress." They criticise airport radar, and say senior officers should leave their desks to visit airport control centres to find out what the real situation is.

The report advises that the main New Zealand airports be equipped with secondary surveillance radar, and if New Zealand cannot provide better radar “then it is best that it opt out of the modern world."

Mr Pepall and Mr Spriggs also criticised other equipment — some of which they described as a "motley collection" — and shortages. Failure of planners to communicate with controllers had- resulted in ill-

devised equipment being supplied. including radar display units.

The report said: "You might well claim to have reached the optimum in terms of cost-effectiveness under normal conditions. “But we do not feel that congratulations are in order because you have cut to the very bone, and therb is no fat in the system.

“Increases in traffic loading, emergencies, or the failure, or non-availability of main facilities could well tilt the equation, and reduce the level of safety." The report said that many air traffic controllers held the regional, and headquarters managements in contempt because "of a history of either inactivity or wrong decisions.”

There was an almost a total lack of communication between the two levels, and the valued expertise of controllers in day-to-day work was. either ignored or lost, it said.

The two experts said that the whole system was virtually held together, by "the professionalism and dedication of the practical controllers, and technicians, at the sharp end." Clearly, the structure of Civil Aviation was at fault. There appeared to be little to attract skilled controllers to senior management jobs — a position for which the

It had tended to elevate the working grades in terms of salaries, and working hours, while disregarding long-term career structures in administration, the report said. On the other hand, if the administrators were too old, or too slow to "get the picture." they should listen to those who were familiar with the situation. The report said that an extraordinary situation had occurred in Wellington in 1980. Because of problems in the air. and the lack of any action from the authority, the Wellington controllers took it on themselves to declare an area of controlled air space.

They had the unanimous support of pilots, the union, and other controllers. Subsequently this action was endorsed by .Civil Aviation.

The report suggested guidelines for improving equipment, and relationships and communication within Civil Aviation.

It advised against attempting re-equipping al a highly sophisticated level, and suggested an updating ot radar and other aids.

The national president of the Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (Mr L. J. Taylor)said his association would be seeking a meeting with Mr Gair to discuss the report, and its criticisms.

Mr Taylor said in Christchurch last evening that the second part- of the report, getting ahead, relied, on the first part being done - "But a good line of management hasn’t even been looked at yet."

It would inevitably come to the stage when the controllers would .have to consider closing the radar down unless new equipment was installed, Mr Taylor said. "People are putting too much faith in radar. It is very difficult ’ to have • a screen in front of you. and not place credence on what you see." Mr Taylor said. “This is old radar — upgrading so far has only moved blind areas around." said Mr Taylor. “It is not new screens we need but new radar."

Mr Taylor said that quite a lot of work had been done about, a year ago when the department set up committees which made reports.