§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what consultations he has had with the American Federal Aviation Agency, following their recent change of policy regarding area navigation systems about making fresh proposals at the International Civil Aviation Organisation;
(2) if he will make proposals to the International Civil Aviation Organisation for the wider introduction of area navigation systems in major air congestion centres.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe United Kingdom has for long been known at the International Civil Aviation Organisation as an advocate of accurate area navigation capability in order to secure better air space utilisation. The timing of any further approach will depend on development work and operational trials now proceeding or about to proceed in Europe and the United States of America, on which there is periodical contact with the Federal Aviation Administration.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade what duties he will confer on the proposed Civil Aviation Authority about the introduction and use of area navigation systems.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe duty of the authority will be to provide the best control system available in all the circumstances of the time.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received from the British Air Line Pilots Association, the 279W International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations and the Guild of Air Traffic Controllers about the introduction and use of area navigation systems; and what reply he has sent;
(2) what representations against the introduction and use of area navigation systems he has received from light aircraft interests; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe Board is in regular consultation with bodies representing British civil aviation interests including the British Air Line Pilots Association and the Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers, and is party to discussions with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations at conferences such as those of the International Civil Aviation Organisation In general the views expressed favour the exploitation of an accurate area navigation facility to improve airspace utilisation, as the United Kingdom has itself advocated for some years. No opposition has been received so far from light aircraft interests. The Board has explained the present situation as regards trials of possible systems and some of the considerations that will have to be taken into account in any proposals for future standardisation of an area navigation system as an international aid by I.C.A.O.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade when the air traffic control computer centre at West Drayton will be in full service; and what extensions or additions he proposes.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe new London Air Traffic Control Centre at West Drayton will be implemented in stages up to the mid-1970's. Stage I centralises control of the airways up to 52° 30'N and is planned to be in operation by the end of 1970. Full computer facilities for Flight Plan Processing are programmed to become operational for this stage in the following year. Successive stages will progressively centralise A.T.C. over more of the airspace and the computer service will be extended to keep pace with them.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade what studies 280W he has made of communications satellites to assist air traffic navigation.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsFor several years the United Kingdom has been studying the possibilities of using satellites for aircraft communications, navigation and surveillance, giving attention both to technical and cost-benefit aspects. These national studies led to consultation with the United States, Canada and France, and ultimately to the setting-up in 1968 of a panel of experts by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. This country plays a leading part in the work of the panel, and is also participatting in a comprehensive study of aeronautical satellite applications by the European Space Research Organisation.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for supplementing VOR/DME navigational systems with secondary radar at United Kingdom airports.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe VOR/DME System is basically for use by pilots in navigating their aircraft. Secondary radar facilities are provided to assist Air Traffic Control to maintain separation between aircraft. The programme for secondary radar is planned to improve the coverage and quality of information for Air Traffic Control on an area basis and will not be confined only to particular airports.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the President of the Board of Trade why aircraft fitted with the Decca navigation system are not permitted by his regulations to make use of this at major United Kingdom airports which are suitably equipped.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe regulations do not prohibit the use of the Decca area navigation system at airports. Where it is proposed to use Decca for the purpose of let-down and runway approach, the procedures for public transport aircraft require approval from the Board of Trade, as do corresponding procedures based on other types of navigational aid. This is part of the general safety system.