(14 in AGA/582/25 II
11
Chief Staff Officer,
Headquarters, British Land Forces,
B.F.P.0.1, Hong Kong.
Dear Sir,
1st November 1972.
Radar Facilities for Civil Aviation
With the commissioning of the Approach Surveillance Radar at Beacon Hill the first phase of this Lepartment's radar plan be- comes effective, a plan which by accepting the adequacy of radar coverage within the Terminal Area calls for greater dependence on radar techniques for the control of air traffic. The second phase of the plan is the introduction of secondary surveillance radar, and there is every indication that this equipment will be available in 1974.
With the increasing dependence upon radar it is necessary to ensure a satisfactory standard of perform.nce and maintenance from each facility, including not only the Approach Surveillance Radar (ASR, and Terminal Approach Radar (TAR) operated by this Department but also the Foute Surveillance Radar (RSR, operated by 117 S.U. There is one unknown factor concerning the latter facility, however, which relates directly to the increasing reliance to be placed upon the RSR equipment by air traffic control. This factor is of most significant importance and concerns the future availability of the equipment.
Should the existing RSR become permanently unavailable to the Civil Aviation. Department or its performance be degraded, then it would be necessary to take steps to establish a civil. facility, a course of action which would take some considerable timo to accomplish. My concern therefore is to inform you that in the interests of aviation safety it is vital that I be warned of any decision which would res lt in the permanent loss or degradation of performance of the existing RSR equipment, and to request your assurance that every effort would be made to appraise me of such a decision not less than two years prior to its becoming effective.
I should be most grateful for your consideration and assurance on this matter. I would also of course appreciate any indication you may be able to provide at this time on your future plans for the RSR.
g.c. Hon. C.S.
(Atta. Defence Secretary,
Yours faithfully,
N T T ly
(J.T. Thorpe)
for Director of Civil Aviation
aw
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4125 HQBF
Director of Civil Aviation
New Rodney Block
1st Floor, Queensway
Hong Kong
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