FMC recently submitted on the Department of Conservation’s proposed allocation process for granting new aircraft landing concessions in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. FMC’s view is that the allocation process should be guided by:

• protecting the values of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, complying with the draft Westland Tai Poutini National Park plan, and not allowing an increase in numbers of tourist flights to the detriment of park values, such as natural quiet
• recognising the needs of outdoor recreation users. Aircraft landings to huts or into the back country require favourable weather windows
• recognising the rapid changes to the alpine landscape as a result of global warming.
• using acoustic monitoring at all elevations in the Park to measure the effects of aircraft operations.

You can read FMCs full submission here.