Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 24 November 1998:

(1) Further to the answer to question No. 2453 (Hansard, 2 March 1998, page 150), will he advise of the dates on which he, his predecessor, his Department or Airservices Australia received complaints from the Australian International Pilots Association regarding the use of the East-West runway at Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport in cross wind conditions in excess of 15 knots.

(2) What was the nature of the complaints referred to in part (1) and what was the response in each case.

Mr Anderson (Deputy Prime Minister) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) and (2) See answer to Question Number 146.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) recently reviewed the practice of operating with up to 25 knots of crosswind at Sydney Airport. As a result of this review, I am advised that CASA considers that the practice of routinely operating runways with up to 25 knots of crosswind before initiating a change of nominated runway does not pose an unacceptable safety hazard.