Poor state of local airport runway raises concerns among unsuspecting pilots
Upon inspecting the run way, the pilot and the owner of the aircraft, saw that not only is the runway pockmarked with potholes but also has loose gravel, rocks and uneven tar strewn across the surface.
The Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Department, said the ‘administration has made submissions for obtaining funding to upgrade the infrastructure at the Newcastle Airport.
This after a pilot had narrow escape when a tyre on his aircraft burst after coming into land at the Newcastle Airport where the poor state of the runway has become a major concern.
The burst tyre almost led to the aircraft overturning. Upon inspecting the run way, the pilot and the owner of the aircraft, saw that not only is the runway pockmarked with potholes but also has loose gravel, rocks and uneven tar strewn across the surface.
“All these are contributing factors to a potential catastrophe for unsuspecting pilots hoping for a safe and hassle-free landing,” said the owner of the aircraft who preferred not to be named.
He said that runways are supposed to be kept neat and gravel-free at all times, ‘as seen at any other airport across the world.’
He also mentioned that an airport could not function without an operational control room, which the local airport does not have access to.
“There is no working control room here; therefore, pilots are not able to communicate with anyone and remain unaware of the dangers awaiting them on the ground,” the owner fumed.
Pick up a copy of this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser to read the municipality’s response.
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