Electronics specialists admitted they were unable to provide a fault-free flight information display system (FIDS) on opening day but said they were 'pretty close'. Submissions from Electronic Data Systems counsel Simon Westbrook stated the Airport Authority underestimated the time required to set up the system. 'FIDS is a highly complex integrated system which was produced in a severely reduced time-frame. The authority underestimated the time required to install, test, commission and train on such a system.' The system was able to produce and display 'reasonably accurate' flight data by day three. The main problems with flight information on opening day were caused by data input problems and 'not by the system or the system's performance'. 'A functional system was in place by opening day which with better contingency planning, training and familiarisation by the operators, could have been operated with reasonable efficiency - a functioning system will not display flight information without proper data input.' INFORMATION
