Baraan says crosswind in airfield not true
LINGAYEN-Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan belied claims that the Lingayen airfield is affected by crosswind from the Lingayen Gulf which is bad for aviation.
Defending the need for the expansion of the Lingayen airfield, Baraan said there are up to 10 trainer planes landing there daily, which would not be there if the area is buffeted by a crosswind.
He said two-seater light planes would be the last ones to land and take-off in an area constantly hit by crosswind.
“That only goes to show that the technical problem (involving alleged crosswind) that they are talking about is non-existent,” Baraan said.
The Lingayen airfield was built by the Americans who were part of the allied liberation forces that landed in the shores of Lingayen Gulf on January 9, 1945.
He expressed certainty that the American engineers who constructed the Lingayen airfield had studied that very basic technical aspect before deciding to construct it.
Making a pitch for the Lingayen airfield, Baraan said this was listed by the Air Transportation Office as an active regional airport and as proof of it, the airport was assigned three different frequencies.
“Since that is an active regional airport, it is an active operational airport and, therefore, there is nothing spectacular or extra-ordinary if it will undergo major repair and maintenance work,” he said.
Baraan also stressed that the upgrading of the Lingayen airfield will not be in conflict with the proposed airport in Alaminos because the former is already exists while the latter will be a new one.
He said the Lingayen Airport needs upgrading in order to accommodate bigger planes, including those coming from abroad.
“The Caticlan Airport in Aklan, the jump off point to Boracay, is only 900 meters, whereas the Lingayen airfield is 1,034 meters and will still be extended by another 150 meters,” he noted.
“More economic activities in Pangasinan can be triggered by the presence of a Lingayen Airport,” he said.
He said retired General Salvador Mison, president of flag-carrier Philippine Air Lines (PAL), told Governor Amado Espino Jr. to make the runway really good “and we will fly the planes to your place”.
Mison reportedly said passengers from Pangasinan can be flown to Laoag, Taipei or Hong Kong via the Lingayen Airport.—LM
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