New software set to improve flight safety

New Delhi: When dozens of airplanes jostle for space over the busy skies of Delhi and Mumbai, there are bound to be flight delays.
Factor in weather conditions and the situation can often become quite tense for both pilots and the air traffic controllers who guide their movement. A momentary lapse of concentration can prove fatal.
At any given point in time, air traffic controllers at busy airports like Delhi and Mumbai handle close to 40 flights. But despite stress and workload, existing radars and navigational software to assist the controllers is far from being the best.
"To err is human is a phrase that's not applicable to air traffic management," said D K Behera, General Secretary, ATC Guild of India.
A new air traffic management software currently tested in Mumbai and Delhi promises to change the scenario.
"We have procured the new software from Raytheon," said D K Behera.
The new system to be installed by next March won't be able to reduce air traffic congestion delays but it will greatly improve flight safety.
26/12/08 Sandeep Phukan/NDTV.com

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Categories: Airports Dec 2008, New Dec 2008, Safety Dec 2008