Present Standard Of Aerodromes Is Criticised

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1947, Page 9

Present Standard Of Aerodromes Is Criticised

WELLINGTON, August 11. Criticism of the present standards of aerodromes in New Zealand, and the way in which internal air services are being expanded, has been expressed by Mr J. M. Buckeridge, who recently resigned from the position of Acting Controller of Civil Aviation, and is now a senior operations officer in the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Britain. Mr Buckeridge suggests that the services and aerodromes should be brought Up to standards comparable with those overseas so that fares can be reduced, and the danger of operating from “inadequate aerodromes” can be eliminated. Of many inadequate aerodromes in daily use in New Zealand, Rongotai is the worst, in Mr Buckeridge’s opinion. He says it is “the world's worst transport aerodrome No. 1,” while it remains undeveloped. Lower Fares “As the result of the war there are in New Zealand many transport aircraft, bought and paid for, which could be simply modified for civil use. They could be operated for about three-quarters of the cost of those at present in use, and it would be possible to reduce fares from 4d or more passenger mile to 3d or even less. Moreover, the number of schedules and the number of seats could be increased.

“Throughout the histoiy of civil aviation there are many tragic examples of the inevitable result of forcing the development of air transport services ahead of that of the complicated and extensive ground organisation which is absolutely essential to safety. The basic essentials of this organisation are adequate aerodromes, adequate meteorological service, adequate aids, and adequate air traffic control service. For any air transport operating agency to attempt to run air services without this basic ground organisation is literally to court disaster.

“Rongotai Dangerous”

“What is the position in regard to the prime essential, aerodromes?” asks Mr Buckeridge. “There are not more than two civil aerodromes in New Zealand which are at present able to provide safety in operation for regular all-the-year-round, allweather use by modern 20 to 25-pas-sehger aircraft. Moreover, there are some aerodromes in regular use which are definitely dangerous for operation even by the types of aircraft at present employed—Rongotai in particular—and while this position exists, it would be disastrous to attempt to increase services and reduce fares by bringing into service the surplus Air Force transport aircraft at present lying idle.” Mr Buckeridge considers there is no alternative to Rongotai. Without exception, he says, commissions and committees since 1938 have shown that that is the only suitable site for Wellington’s aerodrome, and that nothing short of a runway from bay to bay will give safety. Mr Buckeridge says it is impossible to over-emphasise the necessity for improvement of New Zealand aerodromes. To allow the present position to continue will result either in high costs for air trasnport both to users and taxpayers, or in accidents and loss of life.