§ 31. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Walter Smilesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what reports have been made to his Department that the beam on the approach to Ringway Aerodrome, Manchester. is sometimes distorted or bent.
§ Mr. BeswickSince publication of a notice to airmen, on 3rd January, notifying a slight bend in the Ringway Standard Beam Approach over Stockport, there have been five reports of some departure from normal performance. None referred to any bend on the actual approach beam. This S.B.A., like all others, is flight-checked monthly, and at the last check, on 10th March, it was found to be functioning correctly.
§ Sir W. SmilesCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions which caused the fatal accident at Ringway in August, 1949 have been eliminated?
§ Mr. BeswickIf the hon. Gentleman is suggesting that the fatal accident was caused by this Beam Approach, my reply is that it is very unwise to make such a statement before the report on the accident is published.
§ Sir W. SmilesCan the hon. Gentleman say when that report will be made public?
§ Mr. BeswickIt is now being printed.
§ 32. Sir W. Smilesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what percentage of pilots approaching Ringway Aerodrome, Manchester, now report that the Ground Control Approach is satisfactory.
§ Mr. BeswickThere is no Ground Controlled Approach equipment at Ringway.
§ Sir W. SmilesCan the hon. Gentleman say if the approach aid will be put in, and this aerodrome made as up-to-date as other aerodromes in the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. BeswickAs soon as possible another system of approach aid will be installed, but it is impossible to say exactly when.