§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into the manufacture of a more accurate altimeter device for use in civil aircraft.
§ Mr. David PriceAs the hon. Member knows, continuing efforts are being made to improve the accuracy of aircraft altimeters (both barometric and radio). In the case of barometric altimeters the emphasis is on quantifying the pressure errors that result from disturbance of the air by the aircraft and compensating for them in the design of the sensing device.
Work is also being done on the development of digital air data computers.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into the production of improved clear air turbulence detection systems for jet aircraft.
§ Mr. David PriceAs the hon. Member knows, we are contributing to the intensive international study of the causes of clear air turbulence and those associated phenomena which may be detected remotely. Recent research work on detection of one of these—temperature gradient—has been carried out in conjunction with universities and industry. Results so far do not suggest that a useful detection system for jet aircraft could be based on this approach.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Technology what research he is undertaking into a crash-proof fuel for use in civil airliners; whether this includes the development of gelled fuels; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David PriceAs the hon. Member knows, research on safety fuels and thickened fuels is in progress. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement at this stage.