Stronger warnings against kite flying in the area of Dundee Airport will be in place in the next few days after an incident in which a kite drifted too close to the runway.
The manager of Dundee Airport called for stronger warnings against the practice following an incident in which a landboarder’s kite drifted dangerously close to the airport.
Police and airport staff had to rush to move the sportsman out of the sensitive flight paths.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said it is vital nothing compromises the safety of those using the airport.
There is concern that the popularity of kite-flying might attract more people to open land in the area, including Magdalen Green, the Riverside football pitches and the new Riverside nature park to the west of the runway.
Referring to the landboarder incident, airport manager Derrick Laing said: ”In the worst-case scenario the kite could have become detached from the person and become entangled in the aircraft engine.
”The incident occurred at the east side of the runway at the Railway Cafe end.”
He is worried that a repeat incident may not end so happily, and called for Dundee City Council to alert the public to the dangers of kiting.
He said: ”We don’t want kites flying in the area due to flights coming in and out. You are not allowed to fly kites above 60m. It’s illegal. Even a small child’s kite could cause some damage if it flew into a flight path.”
According to Air Regulations kites should not be flown higher than 30 metres within the aerodrome traffic zone of a notified aerodrome during the notified operating hours of that aerodrome. Kites in general should not be flown at a height of more than 60 metres.
There are signs warning the public not to fly kites at the Magdalen Green side of the airport but Mr Laing said they are insufficient.
”We have no signage at the (Riverside) nature park area, which would be an obvious choice for someone flying a kite,” he said.
Mr Macpherson, who has taken the matter up with Dundee City Council, said: ”It only takes one incident to cause the airport a problem.”
A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: ”We can confirm that a complaint was received in relation to somebody landboarding near to Dundee Airport. Police traced the individual who was warned regarding his actions.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: ”It is part of the parks management plan and on the notice board says ‘It is not permitted to fly kites on the open space adjacent to Riverside Drive or at Magdalen Green,’ but a notice specifically saying that will be put up in the next few days.”