AIR NAVIGATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 14

AIR NAVIGATION

NEW RADIO STATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER EQUIPMENT AT MANGERE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday Arrangements for the installation of powerful radio telephone and telegraph services as aids to aviation were announced to-night by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. ]\lr. .Tones said the Post and Telegraph Department was at present conducting an behalf of Union Airways, Limited, and Cook Strait Airways, Limited, the following services, tho cost of operation being met by the particular company concerned: — Milson Aerodrome, Palmcrston North. —Low-power radio telegraph service. Wellington Radio, Tinakori Ilills, Wellington.—Medium-power radio telephone and telegraph service. Blenheim Aerodrome. Low-power radio telegraph service, post and telegraph radio station. Christehurch. —Low-power radio telegraph service, post and telegraph radio station. Dunedin. —Low-power radio telegraph service. In the last few weeks radio telephone equipment has also been installed at Hokitika and Greymouth, and is being operated at these centres on behalf of Cook Strait Airways, Limited, who control and operate their own private station at the Stoke aerodrome, Nelson. This special arrangement at Nelson is a temporary arrangement only, until such time as a permanent Government installation can bo installed at the new aerodrome at Tahunanui. Major Programme Embarked Upon "While the services at -present in existence have proved a most valuable aid to the conduct of commercial lines," said Mr. Jones, "they have in the main been recognised as temporary expedients, aud tho Government has now embarked on a major programme involving the provision of more powerful equipment which will in all cases bo located in close proximity to the aerodromes themselves ancl wil' bo capable of providing a telephone service as well as a telegraph service. i - "At Taieri aerodrome, Dunedin,. the necessary land has been acquired and; the equipment is,available for instal- i lation as soon as a building, for which : the contract has already been let, has : been completed. Matters are also in train for the establishment of per- j manent stations at Milson aerodrome, i Palmerston North, the Bell Block aero- j drome, New Plymouth, and the j Mangere aerodrome, Auckland. "In view of the desirability of hav- ■ ing these stations in operation in time I for the opening of tho Auckland ser- j vice, contracts have already been let for the erection of buildings and it is hoped that the stations will be in operation by the end of June. Blind Approach Systems

"Recent weather conditions have drawn prominent attention to the necessity for the provision of radio aids to navigation and the introduction of blind approach systems. The Government has directed that as much work as possible on the final programmes set out by the Aeradio Committee should be undertaken during the present financial year and an amount of £3-5,000 has been set aside to cover the expenditure involved. Quotations have already been called for suitable directional receiving equipment to equip all the more important aerodromes, and three blind approach systems are under consideration for installation at Rongotai, Taieri and Palmerston North.

"It is being arranged," concluded the Minister, "that the Post and Telegraph Department, with its experience and resources in radio engineering and the handling of traffic, will undertake the various services involved, including aerodrome to aerodrome communication on short waves, which it is intended to arrange for at several of the more important aerodromes, as an item on current year's programme."