No plane-sailing

No plane-sailing
Bangalore Airport Needs Skilled Staff, Latest Equipment
Bansy Kalappa | TNN


The Bangalore airport is the third busiest airport in the country with 340 plus flights each day. But it is managed by just 35 persons. The equipment is not only inadequate but obsolete.
Of the 35 air traffic controllers, only 20 of them are qualified to handle all types of control. And of the 20, two are seniors who are mostly involved with administration while 15 of them are juniors. In contrast, the Chennai Airport which handles less flights has over 100 air traffic controllers. From November 1, it will have 430 flights each day.
If there are no air accidents, it is just providential. “There are many chances of air accidents that have been avoided by sheer dedication of Bangalore’s Air Traffic Controllers. It is extremely scary sitting at the control and seeing two planes approach almost simultaneously at a speed of about 800 km per hour doing the same height. One small slip up and anything can happen.’’
The staff is unable to keep pace with the aviation boom and the latest technology. Take for instance the Mumbai and Delhi airports. The Air Traffic Control staff there handle more flights each day using the advanced Mono Pulse Secondary Surveillance Radar. Bangalore, on the other hand, still depends on the Radar Data Processing System. With this the controller has to attach the speed, identification number of the aircraft and height indicator, thus wasting precious seconds. The tagging on of this information takes time considering the aircraft are flying at a speed of between 800 km and 1,000 km per hour. For example, a plane can fly from Electronic City to Devanahalli in a few seconds. A collision can happen in seconds if the ATC is not alert.
What adds to potential risks is the fact that the airports handles all types of aircraft from military flights, private aircraft owned by companies and individuals, domestic and international flights, and helicopters. In addition, there are prototypes of LCA and Intermediate Jet Trainer test flights. These are dangerous because their air-worthiness is not proven. They are flown for certification and can be hazardous. After repairs, military aircraft are testflown back to the squadron. MiGs and Jaguars are maintained and flown here at any time.
Military aircraft fly at all heights, while civilian flights fly between 20,000 ft and 46,000 ft. Depending on the size, the private aircraft can fly up to 46,000 ft, while helicopters fly at a height between 2,000 ft and 8,000 ft. Considering there are flights climbing or descending or cruising, the ATCs are fighting a tough battle. ATC deputy general manager S R Iyer said: “The others have more controllers. They have been working on a different pattern all along. Our controllers are better skilled.’’
What Bangalore Airport needs
More number of taxi tracks in good condition to avoid pile up at the take-off and landing tracks and consequent pile up and queues. One major track and four link taxi tracks are available. Of these link taxi tracks, one is unserviceable. Eight more aerobridges. It has at present a mere 2 More ladders to save waiting time. 15 more parking slots. There are about 30 apron area (parking slots) now.
Air Traffic Control Staff Strength
Chennai ATC: 120 Hyderabad ATC: 110 plus Tiruvananthapuram ATC: 90
The above airports are serviced by Airports Authority of India while Bangalore is looked after by HAL as it is a defence airport.
BIAL airport The new Bangalore International Airport ATC: 160 plus.