MODERN AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23704, 11 January 1939, Page 3

MODERN AVIATION

RAPID DEVELOPMENT EXTENSION OF TAIERI AERODROME BLIND APPROACH EQUIPMENT One of the first important questions to which the City Council will give its consideration when it resumes work towards the end of the month is the extension of the Taieri aerodrome. This is required not only because of the larger commercial aircraft which are being evolved all the time, but also for prospective defence purposes, and it has been stated that when the proposed extensions are carried out and special blind approach equipment has been installed, Taieri will be the bestequipped aerodrome in New Zealand. Larger Planes Early in November it was reported to the council by the Finance Committee that commuications had been received from the Public Works Department with regard to the acquisition of additional land for the purpose of extending the airport. With the rapid developments in aircraft construction larger landing and take-off areas were needed, and as the trend was for still larger machines, it was essential that the question of extending the aerodrome area should receive early attention. Another factor which had to be taken into consideration, the report stated, was the possible use of the Taieri aerodrome for defence purposes, as application had already been received by the council for approval of the erection of a hangar for defence planes. The plans of the proposed extensions indicate that an additional 77 acres will be needed to meet pres-ent-day requirements for landing and take-off strips. The Finance Committee reported to the council in November that, in its opinion, it was incumbent on the council, as owner of the aerodrome, to take steps to meet the position, and it appeared that the only source from which the money could be provided was by loan authorisation. The Council’s Terms On the recommendation of the committee, the council decided to advise the Public Works Department that it was prepared to acquire the additional land by arrangement with the Government on condition that the actual acquisition of the land should be undertaken by the Government through its land purchase officer, and that the Government should undertake to pass the necessary legislation authorising the raising of the loan money required to purchase the additional land. Correspondence on this subject has been passing between the City Council and the Government, it is understood, and it is possible that the subject may come before the council at its first meeting for the year, which is to take place on January 30. The extension proposal will involve the closing for the entire length of the aerodrome of the eastwest road running alongside of it and the taking of at least 50 acres on the southern side of the road. Taieri First on List The Taieri aerodrome is at;the head of the list in the Government’s programme for the installation of special short-wave radio channels for all interdrome traffic in New Zealand. This, it is claimed, should bring the air routes of the Dominion up to a standard of safety and reliability unsurpassed anywhere in the world. The installation of this approach equipment at the Taieri aerodrome has not yet been started, but it is considered likely that work will be begun at an early date. When this equipment has been installed throughout New Zealand the main change in flying technique will be due to planes no longer having to keep within sight of the ground, and it will be possible for blind flying between airports to be undertaken when it is necessary. A plane leaving an aerodrome will immediately rise to an altitude sufficient to enable it to clear any obstacles along the route, and, irrespective of visibility conditions, will' be able to fly directly to the next airport, checking its course from time to time by means of directionfinding bearings given from the ground stations. Flying With Confidence Associated with the directionfinding equipment there will be at the Taieri aerodrome an approach beacon, together with two marker beacons. The approach beacon is capable of sending out a radio beam for a distance of about 30 miles, so that planes approaching _ the aerodrome will be able to pick up the beam and fly along it with confidence. knowing from the special signals received from the marker beacons exactly where they are on the line of approach. They will thus be able to break ceiling with no risk of striking the hills near the aerodrome. It is expected that this will be a busy year for the experts engaged in the installation of the equipment. Naturally, it will not all be brought into regular use until it has been completely adjusted and pilots have been thoroughly trained in the use of the new facilities. In the meantime. the methods in use meet the requirements of the services as they are at present, and no risks are taken in attempting to operate airlines when weather conditions make safe running in any way doubtful.