Landings on longer runway delayed

Press, 9 March 1984, Page 5

Landings on longer runway delayed

Aircraft could be taking off from the Christchurch Airport runway extension by the end of April, but it is not expected to be available for landings until the end of June.

The Christchurch City Council’s airport and electricity committee heard yesterday that significant problems were associated with the instrument landing system glide scope, because of a structure on an adjoining property which affected the radiation pattern, a These problems meant that the Director of Civil Aviation felt that the earliest possible date for the clearance of the runway was June 30.

The chairman of the committee, Dr Morgan Fahey, said that the construction of the extension was “virtually complete” and theoretically could be used by the end of this month. However, because “tidying up” was to be done, the extension would be opened as a “complete package” at the end of April. Lighting and electronic equipment would not be ready until the end of June, but between April and then the extension could be used for daylight use and for circumstances when instrument landings were not required. It was believed that there would be no serious restriction to the taking-off

of fully laden, wide-bodied jets, Dr Fahey said, in a report to the committee. The 845 m extension will enable wide-bodied jets such as Boeing 747 s to take off fully laden. It is expected to cost $5.4 million. The council wanted the extension open as soon as possible to attract greater use of the airport, Dr Fahey said.

The Director of Civil Aviation had been advised that the council wanted the extension opened as soon as possible and the committee was waiting to hear his reaction to the restricted use of the extension. His approval was not necessary, Dr Fahey said.