Re "Arguments smother debate," (Flight International 7-13 May), as a passenger I find it hard to comprehend that an industry that is more automated than any other in the world cannot find it possible to have signs at the world's airports indicating that a runway is closed.
You have global positioning systems, fully automated approaches and landings, airliners able to find their way to anywhere on the globe without human intervention, monitoring on flight decks of every conceivable event happening on the airliner, but a sign at the airports is out of the question.
Come on now, you really are having us all on aren't you? As an engineer, may I suggest illuminated signs that rise up out of the concrete on hydraulic legs, to descend flush with the ground when not required.
Bud Ellis
Hampshire, UK
Source: Flight International
