Kites endangers flights: Haryanto

Kites endangers flights: Haryanto

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto
said yesterday that kites flown in the Greater Jakarta area
threaten flights, especially helicopters, because some kites fly
above tolerable limits.

"Many pilots complain about the kites. Some kites have a
strong thread and can fly over 1,000 feet. If the thread enters a
jet engine or twists around propellers, it could wreak havoc with
the aircraft," Haryanto was quoted by the Antara news agency as
saying.

"I faced a similar experience myself. One time a helicopter I
was on had to take another route to avoid kites," he said.

The minister said some kites, especially those in Jakarta and
surrounding areas, fly above 1,000 feet, the same area where many
helicopters operate.

Ideally, kites should be flown below 500 feet, he said.
"Moreover, many kites being flown are large in size," he said.

Haryanto said he would ask the Jakarta administration to help
control citizens who fly kites above tolerable limits. He would
also ask for help from the Association of Kite Flyers.

He said there has never been a plane accident because of
kites, but action was needed before an accident occurred.

A similar appeal was made by the management of Ngurah Rai
Airport in Denpasar because kites flown by local people there
endangered plane traffic into and out of Bali. (hhr)