asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport (a) if he considers that very high frequency direction-finding equipment is an essential aid to air navigation and in particular as a means of getting a "fix" on an aircraft in distress situations, utilising the internationally agreed VHF emergency channel: (b) if such equipment is installed at Irish airports, and (c) if not, if he has any proposals for the acquisition and installation of it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Direction Finding Equipment.
21.
In view of the availability of more accurate navigational aids, for example instrument landing systems, very high frequency omnidirectional radio ranges and radar systems, I am advised that very high frequency direction-finding equipment is not an essential aid to air navigation in Irish airspace.
This equipment can be used by air traffic services to provide navigational assistance to aircraft lacking more sophisticated navigation equipment or capability and for aircraft identification in conjunction with radar. However, signals from an aircraft in a distress situation transmitting on the international distress frequency would have to be simultaneously received by two or more VHF direction-finding systems in order to obtain a position "fix".
VHF direction-finding equipment was acquired for Dublin Airport some years ago but the equipment has not been brought into service as the field structure proved unsuitable. The equipment is currently being re-examined to see what action is required to make it serviceable.
There are no proposals at this stage for the installation of VHF direction-finding equipment at either Shannon or Cork Airports.
Is the Minister aware that a private plane came down in County Clare a few years ago and because of lack of this equipment it took seven hours to trace the location of the pilot of that plane? In view of the fact that the equipment is lying idle at Dublin Airport and that consideration is now being given to putting it back into operation, why has this not been done before? Secondly, why is similar equipment not being made available at Shannon or Cork?
In case there should be any confusion about it, I want to make it clear that in Dublin, Cork and Shannon there is the most modern standard of equipment and the type of equipment in question is needed only in certain types of cases but not in relation to Aer Lingus or any of the other air companies. Therefore it should not be thought that we have not got the most modern type of equipment. There were certain problems in relation to making this equipment available or putting it into operation and these problems have to quite a degree been overcome. As I indicated, the equipment is currently being re-examined to see what modifications are necessary.
When does the Minister expect that the equipment will be operational in Dublin?
I am afraid I do not know.
In about four years' time.