§ Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, in view of the issue by the Air Registration Board of Notice No. 54 about 3-point altimeters, he will make a statement about the modifications required by this Notice, and about his proposals for the possible future changes in the design of altimeters.
§ Mr. WatkinsonMy Department and the Air Registration Board have been studying the problems of clearer and easier recognition of altimeter readings for some time as have been other aviation authorities including the United States. As a result of these studies my Department and the Air Registration Board have required interim modifications to the dials of existing altimeters on Britannia, Comet, Viscount and all other aircraft which operate above 20,000 ft. to be carried out by 30th September, 1959. Photographs showing the modifications are displayed in the Library.
In order to advance with the greatest effectiveness the studies already undertaken, I have also decided to set up a 197W Committee under the chairmanship of my Department with the following terms of reference:
To investigate the design of altimeter faces and mechanisms, including the use of special visual or audible signals, and to make recommendations for the design requirements best suited to modern needs for quick and easy recognition of altitude readings.In addition to the Air Registration Board I have invited representatives of the principal interests concerned to serve on the Committee, including those of operators', pilots' and navigators' associations, and the manufacturers of instruments and of aircraft.