City pilots advised to brake with care

Mumbai: With weather conditions making it difficult to conduct regular runway maintenance, pilots have been asked to exercise caution as oil and rubber deposits coupled with heavy rain can bring braking troubles for a landing aircraft at Mumbai airport. "Due to bad weather it was not possible to carry out regular runway maintenance for the last few days and so, as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, we have informed the air traffic control about the runway conditions," said a spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL). However, no NOTAM (notice to airmen) has been issued on the runway condition so far. The ICAO has laid down procedures and schedules for regular and weekly runway maintenance to clear rubber deposits, oil and peeled paint.
"Flight manuals clearly state that the landing distance data does not include areas covered by rubber and paint deposits as runway friction is poor in these places. If runway friction is poor then the landing weight of the aircraft has to be reduced," said Captain Mohan Ranganathan, an air safety expert on wet runway operations.
A poorly maintained runway, coupled with heavy rains is a sure shot recipe for trouble, say safety experts. Like for instance: an aircraft needs about 40 % more runway length to stop in wet conditions and the figures increases with increase in the water level on runway.
12/07/08 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jul 2008, Safety Jul 2008