NEW CONTROL SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 159, 31 March 1939, Page 12

NEW CONTROL SYSTEM

Aircraft Using Rongotai

Aerodrome

SAID TO BE FUNCTIONING SATISFACTORILY

Introduced at. Die Rongotai aerodrome on Marell 20. a system of control for all aircraft taking off and lauding during busy periods of tlie day is said to lie functioning satisfactorily and tile opinion was expressed ■ yesterday that the control system will lie particularly useful during tlie coming Easter holidays, when air traffic is expected to lie unusually heavy. 'file system adopted at Rongotai, which is considered to be by far tlie busiest aerodrome in New Zealand, is tlie same as that observed intci nationally, witli tlie exception of certain modifications framed to suit tlie peculiarities of Wellington’s landing ground. Allowance lias been made for wind directions and a circuit panel in front of Die control tower indicates to pilots approaching tlie landing ground whether right-hand circuits or left-hand circuits, according to wind direction, must be made.

From (lie control cabin of tlie 50ft. tower erected near tlie main hangar, the officer on duty lias a clear view of all approaches to Rongotai. Tlie telephone system enables immediate communication to lie made witli any part of tlie aerodrome, and also witli the wireless station on Tinakori Hill. All commercial aircraft operating in New Zealand are equipped with radio, and when approaching or leaving Rongotai are able to communicate with the station on Tinakori Hill. In this way tlie control officer at the aerodrome may issue special instructions when necessary.

Control of traffic and trains from centralized positions has been in force in New Zealand for some years, and witli the rapid expansion of air traffice at Rongotai the introduction of a system for controlling the arrivals and departures of aeroplanes was considered necessary in the interests of safety. So far Rongotai is the first aerodrome in New Zealand to adopt this system, but it may be introduced in other parts of the Dominion where air traffic is considered sufficiently heavy to warrant the change. On’ee they are clear of the boundaries of the aerodrome, the control officer at Rongotai has no jurisdiction over aircraft. Powerful Aidis lamps which are clearly visible to pilots in the air or on the ground, are used for signalling, and all machines, even those of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, must obey the instructions of the control officer. During slack periods of the day a ball is hoisted at the control tower to indicate that the system is not in use.

The coming Easter is expected to be the busiest ever experienced at Rongotai. Many of the commercial services, particularly those operated by Cook Strait Airways between Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson, have been trebled and additional services will be flown on the trunk lines operated by Union Airways.

If the weather is fine for tiie holidays, pleasure Hying in light aircraft will also increase the volume of traffic at Rongotai.