Airport safety worries are being exaggerated (From Echo)

Airport safety worries are being exaggerated

1:51pm Tuesday 24th August 2010 in

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I take exception to J Bennett’s view (Aug 11) that airport protesters are entitled to get legal aid.

When he referred to traffic along the A127 being stopped at night so the pilot is not “confused by the car lights” is he actually suggesting an aircraft flown by experienced, qualified pilots would attempt to land on a road?

There are obvious differences between roads and runways, for example the width, length and straightness of the runway, not to mention the runway lights, compared with a seemingly winding road with orange street lamps and closely packed moving car lights.

I also do not see J Bennett’s point on safety.

Surely an aircraft coming down anywhere is bad, not just on a school?

A pilot would attempt to avoid any sort of built up area in the event an emergency, not just schools, and one must remember that there are people of all ages on board the aircraft as well as on the ground.

It is irrational to argue against the expansion on grounds of safety due to the proximity of schools.

This was demonstrated when an aircraft crashed into a school in Pacoima, USA, killing and injuring several children after a midair collision at 25,000ft.

Unfortunately aircraft accidents can happen at any time and any place, not just close to the airport on take off or landing.

I assure J Bennett pilots are highly qualified, intelligent people and would not “confuse” a road for a runway – we seem to manage at Heathrow where the M4 runs parallel with the approach for runway 09L and at Stansted with the M11. Pilots do not take “chances” either, only decisions.

Edward Burt
Thames Drive
Leigh

...Do the advocates of an extended airport at Southend know what this means?

As I write, a single helicopter is circling Westcliff.

The noise is horrendous.

Imagine regular flights day and night into Southend Airport.

Can we learn nothing from the battle against a third runway at Heathrow?

Same old story – business before people.

Ralph Walker
Holland Road
Westcliff