§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments he has made of the likely effects of the adoption of the AIRPROX system on the rates of aircraft proximity incident reporting by(a) pilots and (b) controllers. [1300]
§ Mr. SoamesThe forthcoming introduction of the AIRPROX (Pilot) term may result in an increase in the number of aircraft proximity incidents since the new term has a wider definition than "airmiss" which it replaces. The introduction, last year, of the AIRPROX (Controller) has not resulted in a significant change in the number of incidents since the definition of the new term is the same as "Aircraft Proximity Hazard (APHAZ)" which it replaced.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend the AIRPROX (Controller) reporting system to military air traffic controllers. [1301]
§ Mr. SoamesNone. Aircraft proximity incidents reported by military air traffic controllers will continue to be investigated by military authorities. Where an AIRPROX (Controller) report raised by a civil air traffic controller involves military aircraft, the military authorities will assist with the Civil Aviation Authority investigation.