All set for a safe and sound flight

Gannavaram airport equipped with system to avert mid-air collision. The system will enable officials to reduce confusion among Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and pilots, he said. The ADS-B and TA systems were installed at a cost of Rs.2.6 crore.

Gannavaram airport is now equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system for tracking aircraft movement and averting mid-air collisions even as its expansion plans have hit a roadblock, thanks to land acquisition issues.

The airport has also installed Tower Automation (TA) system. “Both systems have been integrated and put into operation on a trial basis,” said airport Director B.G. Patil, adding that the airport had been registering a steady rise in traffic following reports that the new capital for A.P. would be established between Vijayawada and Guntur.

“At this juncture, safety of passengers as also the aircraft is of paramount importance. To track aircraft movement and avert mid-air collision, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has accorded permission to install ADS-B system. It’s a first-of-its-kind surveillance technology set up in A.P.,” Mr. Patil said.

The system will enable officials to reduce confusion among Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and pilots, he said. The ADS-B and TA systems were installed at a cost of Rs.2.6 crore.

“We can monitor the flight movement in a radius of 250 nautical miles at the airport. ADS-B system will show the origin of the aircraft, its type and the height at which it is flying, along with its speed,” explained Mr. Patil.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in utilising the technology effectively, besides devising plans for developing the airport on par with international standards,” Mr. Patil said, adding that officials were in touch with the Krishna district administration for allocation of sufficient land for expansion of runway and creation of other passenger amenities.