Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter by Mr. Jason Hinds captioned “There have been many improvements at the airport” (07.01.27).
a) He says that improvements to the air traffic control system includes three “Central” Windsocks. Firstly, he needs to understand the meaning of the word central, according to Encarta 2003: near to, or in the middle of something. How therefore can we have three “Central” windsocks? Are these windsocks placed one on top of the other? How does having more windsocks assist the air traffic controller in increasing the capacity as in the amount of aircraft that he/she can safely accommodate in the airspace he/she manages? He says the windsocks cost $2 million, that price seems exorbitant. A trawl of the internet reveals windsocks selling for far less than US$500 each. The real Central windsock at Timehri, the one in front of the Control Tower, is illuminated for use between the hours of sunset and sunrise. However the level of illumination is so poor, that during those hours, one cannot see the windsock clearly enough to determine the windspeed and direction.
b) $2.8 million for runway end identifier lights, having twenty pairs of REIL will not assist the Controller in increasing capacity as mentioned above.
c) The main runway was resurfaced at least two years ago. The remote parking he speaks about is the parking that was used by the now defunct GAC for its aircraft. This is not the creation of “new” parking areas. These areas were neglected and are now being cleared.
d) The DME, ILS, new radios, flight checking of the VOR etc, still has not been done!!!
e) The new equipment promised has not materialised.
If sufficient attention had been paid to these and other concerns earlier, new aircraft parking could have been made, for example the area between the northeastern part of the International Airport and Laparkan facilities.
As an aside, please note that while water has been restored to the Control Tower, the water is not potable, additionally the six black tanks which were bought late last year, are still languishing in the Tower compound.
Mr. Jason Hinds should check his facts before rushing in to defend an indefensible position.
Yours faithfully,
R. Peters
