Damage to RVR cables sparks blame game

New Delhi: Saturday’s runway visual range (RVR) system failure at the airport was not just a major embarrassment for the aviation ministry which has been threatening to penalize airlines for delays during this fog season but also for the IGI airport management, the Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd (DIAL), because of which the RVR cables were damaged.
While DIAL set itself to repair the damaged RVR cables that caused the problem, another RVR system for the main runway was being airlifted from Pune and was expected to reach Delhi by Sunday morning.
The RVR readings are indicative of the visibility at various points of the runway and are essential for pilots to be able to navigate their aircraft. Normally, three points are monitored — the beginning, middle and end of the runway. On Saturday, the end reading of both the new and main runways could not be received due to a cable fault and a notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued stating both runways were out of operation.
The Met had promised to provide a manual reading of the end RVR but sources said that landings were not possible under such a situation. ‘‘There was also some confusion over who was responsible for the RVR cables but after Saturday’s episode, we have made it clear that the airport management will take charge,’’ said Nasim Zaidi, DGCA chief.
03/01/10 Neha Lalchandani/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jan 2010