Re your article 'Arguments smother debate' (Flight International, 7-13 May) and the letter from Bud Ellis (Flight International, 14-20 May). Working as an airline pilot for 37 years and many years of that in flight operations management, I have often wondered why so many in this industry seem to have an aversion against simple solutions.
I agree with Mr Ellis that any layman without aeronautical knowledge would suggest to install warning signs and/or flashing lights for a "closed runway" situation. Your article refers to a "Boeing-developed, global positioning system-based take-off runway disagreement alerting function" - a sophisticated and probably expensive gadget.
Imagine if the Singapore pilot, when entering the inactive runway, heard the words "runway closed - runway closed" or a similar warning in his headphones or loudspeaker. This without any additional equipment in the aircraft and without any cent of expenditure for the airline. Yes, this is possible.
A system called Ground Marker developed by Airspec in the UK makes use of the 75/MHz VHF marker receiver (carried as ballast for more than 99% of the flight anyway) to receive voice messages when the aircraft passes certain points, transmitted by small antennas near, or loop antennas embedded in, the taxiways. Such a system does not require any additional aircraft installation and, I would assume, only minimal expenses for the ground installation.
It would just require an admission that simple and cheap solutions might be effective, and the initiative of a few airports to allow installation of some units for flight operational trials.
Peter Schmidleitner (retired capt)
Brunn am Gebirge, Austria
Source: Flight International
