INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The new system provides more assurance about safety than traditional approaches
(Photo: Shutterstock)3 min read Last Updated : Sep 05 2024 | 7:10 AM IST
IndiGo Airlines has become the first Indian carrier to adopt the
Required Navigation Performance Authorisation Required (RNP AR) flight procedure for operations in Kathmandu, which enables safer and more
efficient landings at the Tribhuvan International Airport, which is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Himalayas.
In an exclusive
interview with ANI, Captain Rajiv Singh, Head of Training at IndiGo, claimed the air service provider to be the first amongst Indian
carriers flying to Kathmandu to adopt the RNP AR flight procedure.
"Fortunately, today was the day when we were able to do it (validation
We also are proud to say that we are the first airline from India to carry out this approach
So we are happy about it," Captain Rajiv Singh told ANI soon after the conduct of the validation flight in Kathmandu.
The RNP AR
technology is specifically designed for airports in geographically challenging and high-altitude regions, such as the Tribhuvan
The airport's table-top runway and surrounding terrain require pilots to exercise extra caution during take-off and landing.
"Today, we
carried out the validation flight for an RNP AR (Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required) approach, which basically is an
advanced approach where we have a lateral separation from the terrain, which eventually turns out to be a safer approach which is officially
more efficient," Captain Singh added.
Captain Shweta Singh and Seema Jhamnani from Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India and
Captain Shailaja Munankarmi and another official from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal were onboard the validation flight.
The new system
provides more assurance about safety than traditional approaches, which have been in practice for a long time.
"In terms of safety, the
traditional way of avoiding the terrain is to fly-over the mountains and approach a dive-down so you're in the profile for the landing
In the RNP AR approach, because of higher accuracy with advanced equipment, the use of GPS and on-board equipment, we are able to avoid the
So, we can commence a profile earlier than what would the traditional approach be, that allows stabilisation for the approach and which
eventually would turn out into safer landings and a better margin from terrains as well," added Captain Singh.
Lying at an elevation of
4,390 feet above sea level, the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu can only be touched down by navigating through narrow passes,
leaving little room for error
The steep descent required to land adds another layer of difficulty, demanding precise control and extensive experience.
"Apart from
safety, this approach also enhances the operational reliability because it enables landing at lower melena, that is, lower visibility and
lower cloud-based requirements
That enables the ATC (Air Traffic Controller) to manage air traffic better, which will also lead to more energy efficient approaches leading
to less fuel expenditure, cutting carbon emissions, amongst other benefits," Captain Rajiv Singh, Head of Training at IndiGo, told
ANI.
The Tribhuvan International Airport poses unique challenges due to its location, with steep descents required to land and narrow
passes to navigate through
The airport experiences heavy rainfall and thick fog during monsoon and winter, respectively, which can disrupt flight schedules
Wind patterns can also shift suddenly, leading to turbulence and crosswinds, making landing more hazardous.(Only the headline and picture of
this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)First
Published: Sep 05 2024 | 7:10 AMIST
