asked the Minister for Transport the current condition of the VOR/DME system located at Eagle Island, County Mayo, which has been reported as being out of action for some five months now; and if he will take immediate steps to have this major beacon, which is essential for the safety of aircraft flying nationally and internationally, restored to full service.
Written Answers. - Mayo Aircraft Beacon.
254.
The Eagle VOR/DME aviation navigational aid comprises two separate elements, viz. a VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and a DME (Distance Measuring Equipment).
These elements form part of an internationally agreed grid of en-route navigational aids and while the continued operation of all of them is desirable for the regularity and safety of air operations the loss of any one of them alone has no safety implication.
The Eagle VOR/DME was installed in 1965 and because of its age it is difficult to keep it operating satisfactorily. Both the VOR and DME elements have been out of operational service since early November.
Towards the end of January both elements were restored to service but cannot be put into operational use pending a mandatory flight check which is expected to be completed before the end of February.