LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 11: The Birsa Munda Airport Authority has planned to upgrade its runway by installing Advance CAT lighting equipment for better visibility to pilots during dense mist in winter.
Notably, the tender has been done and it will take about a year to put it on the runway. According to the Authority, the CAT breakdown approach lighting can also make aircraft land and fly at 850 meters of visibility in fog and mist.
The aircraft takes off when the normal visibility is 1,300 meters at Birsa Munda Airport, now that the Landing Instrument System (ILS) has been installed. After receiving the go-ahead from the airport authority, the aircraft began its descent at 1300 meters of visibility. Notably, prior to this, the aircraft was only able to land at the airport when visibility was 2,300 meters.
KL Agarwal, Director at Birsa Munda Airport Ranchi said, “The CAT approach lighting system will be installed on the runway of Birsa Munda Airport. The tender has been done for this. Its full cost is Rs 18 crores and will take a year to get it. The aircraft can land at 850 meters of visibility due to its capture.”
The CAT approach lighting system will be installed up to 900 meters from the end point of the runway. When the aircraft lands in the fog, this light will help the pilot to take off the aircraft and will be able to see where the runway’s starting point starts.
Notably, CAT lighting system has been installed at Jaipur, Amritsar, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Bhopal Airport.
