§ Mr. Ernest G. Perryasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made with trials on quieter approach procedures which commenced on 30th January 1978 at Gatwick airport.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis:I understand from the Civil Aviation Authority that the trials have shown that the low power— low drag approaches, which result in an appreciable reduction of noise at distances between 11 and 6 miles from touch-down, are feasible and that this part of the procedures is to be adopted as the standard method of approach at Gatwick. The continuous descent approach element of the procedures is not yet attainable, but following the installation of secondary surveillance radar at the airport next year further trials of CDA will be considered.