E-gadgets to assess visibility at airport

The Jayaprakash Narain International airport here will soon be equipped with an indigenous, electronic runway visibility measuring instrument named ‘Drishti’, which will enable the airport authorities to measure the runway visibility precisely. This will help pilots land aircraft at the airport and take off safely in slightly poor visibility condition also. The equipment will be installed at both the ends of the runway. Visibility has always been a prime concern at the city airport because of its short runway. At present, the visibility is assessed manually as the airport still lacks any digital machinery for this purpose. “The present system of using eye estimates does not give accurate information as required by the modern-day aviation industry. Moreover, it is quite challenging for pilots as it requires manual calibration with the Air Traffic Controller. Such a practice is highly unsafe,” said Patna IMD director AK Sen. This equipment, called transmissometer, is a laser-based system which, once installed, will help in measuring the visibility range even during bad weather. The data recorded by the instrument will be monitored at the control tower. From the control tower itself, aircraft can be given direction about the visibility range and landing possibility. ‘Drishti’ has been designed and developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) for IMD. Sen said, “Drishti will be installed at 27 airports across the country. Patna is among the eight airports where the gadget will be installed in the first phase. IMD and AAI officials have conducted joint inspection for installation of the equipment on either side of the runway at the Patna airport. The procurement order for the equipment has been placed by the Airports Authority of India.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com


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