WHEN TAIRI FOGBOUND

Evening Star, Issue 25768, 15 April 1946, Page 6

WHEN TAIRI FOGBOUND

SHOULD USE INVERCARGILL SUGGESTION FROM THE SOUTH The inability of the airliner to make a landing at the Taieri airport on account of the poor visibility several times last week has moved the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr A. Wachner) to make a request for the aircraft to continue to Invercargill on such occasions, and he has telegraphed the Dunedin office of the company to that effect. Several Invercargill residents had brought the matter to his notice, said Mr Wachner when interviewed by the ' Southland Times.' The aerodrome was well situated and it would be easier to take Dunedin passengers through from Invercargill by car than to bring them through from Christchurch if the plane returned there. Considering the little extra flying time needed, he considered it essential that the plane should come to the city when it was possible. The text of the telegram to the Union Airways Company in Dunedin was as follows: —" Fog conditions in northern centres frequently result in the southbound planes not coming through, to the inconvenience of Invercargill passengers, although Invercargill airport is almost invariably free from fog. Respectfully suggest that planes should come here whenever conditions favourable at Invercargill." PILOT'S RESPONSIBILITY.

There were many factors entering into the decisions not to land, but lack of equipment was one of the principal factors, said the Invercargill manager of Union Airways (Mr L. L. Derbidge). There were no fuel storage facilities, for example. The Invercargill airport was small, and although large sums had been spent on it by the Government, it still had several faults. It was doubtful if the Lodestar would be able %to land in unfavourable weather, as the ground became greasy. " The pilot carries the full responsibility and he cannot be dictated to from the ground when an emergency arises," said Mr Derbidge. "He may have received a report which would result in a decision not to proceed south; and his decisions are made with full regard for the safety of the passengers and the aircraft. " It is the company's policy to make the public air-minded and to provide as good as service as possible. _ Such incidents cause us as much inconvenience as they do to the public, but sometimes they are unavoidable. The pilot has to consider the safety of his passengers and the plane, and cannot afford to take any risks. " The matter will be discussed by the Invercargill City Council at its next meeting. The airline distance from Dunedin to Invercargill is approximately 110 miles, as compared with the 190 odd miles from Dunedin to Christchurch.