Imphal: A new state of the art equipments have been installed, replacing more than 22 years old radio navigational equipments of the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal. The new equipments are Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). The facilities were commissioned by the Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing in the presence of Joint General Manager CNS, North East Region Guwahati Jagadish Bhishya, RD BCAS Imphal, Samananda Singh, DC/CASO, CISF Imphal Airport Mohnish Bagree and other airport officials on Thursday.
Also read | On Arambai Tenggol’s watch, 37 legislators, 2 MPs take Oath in a ‘Historic Day’ at Kangla Fort
Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing said with these new equipments, flights to Imphal airport will again start landing by taking the route above the Loktak Lake. Air passengers will now get an aerial view of the lake which was not possible for the past almost a year since flights to Imphal took a direct route. The new equipments will ensure smooth and safe landing of flights during night time and when there is poor visibility owing to inclement weather conditions.
The new ILS and DVOR/DME with increased accuracy and reliability will improve safety of air navigation and minimise disruption in the air services at the Airport. These equipments are operated and maintained by professionally trained Engineers with specialised skills from Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) Department of AAI. These state of art equipments were installed in-house by Radio Construction and Development Unit (RCDU) team from New Delhi, and the team of Civil Engineers and Electrical Engineers from Imphal Airport of AAI. Approach procedure for the new facilities was developed by Air Safety Management, at CHQ. These equipment specification and installation comply with Directorate General of Civil Aviations’s (India) Civil Aviation Requirements (DGCA CAR).
Also read | Manipur: Assam Rifles soldier fires at 6 colleagues before shooting himself dead
Instrument Landing System (ILS) provides guidance information to the landing aircraft by radiating the electromagnetic signals modulated with navigation tones so that the suitable equipped aircraft gets Azimuth guidance information (position of aircraft with respect to Runway (RWY) centre line), Vertical guidance information (whether aligned to proper glide angle or not) and distance from the touch down point. As the ILS guidance information is not based on the visible guidance, it helps pilot to land even in poor visibility and low cloud ceiling conditions.
Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range/ Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME) provides Azimuth information (Angle information) and distance information so that the over flying or approaching or landing aircraft can get the guidance for fixing its position and following the designated routes.
Also Read | NSCN-IM opposes GoI move to abolish Free Movement Regime
When no radio navigation equipment is available, visibility for the landing aircraft is 5000 meters (5KMs). For DVOR/DME based approach, visibility requirement is brought down to 2400 meters and with ILS approach, visibility is still brought down to 550 meters. With the above information, the importance of these Radio Navigational Equipments can be appreciated by air passengers and airlines as they help in increasing the safety of the air navigation and minimise the disruption due to poor weather conditions, minimise the pollution and increases the overall efficiency of flight operations.
The new equipments commissioned on Thursday were procured by Airports Authority of India, Corporate Headquarters (AAI CHQ) by floating international tender. These equipments comply with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and recommended practices. ILS equipment was supplied by M/S Indra Navia, Norway and DVOR/DME were supplied by M/S MOPIENS, South Korea.
Also read | Manipur holds full dress rehearsal for 75th Republic Day celebrations
About The Author
