Radar screens again go blank at IGI

New Delhi: In the second such incident in a fortnight, some radar screens of the air traffic control tower at the IGI airport went blank in quick succession, sending the ATC officials in a tizzy.
According to airport sources, one or two radar screens (consoles) -- which shows traffic in the airspace controlled by Delhi tower and gives vital information like aircraft speed, height and call-signs -- suddenly went blank early Tuesday morning.
Unlike January 14 when a similar problem had arisen, all the radar consoles did not blink and the two were revived within a span of a few hours, said an official, who is associated with the maintenance of the system.
However, officials were on their toes as there was a top security alert due to the Republic Day celebrations which was to begin in a few hours. Since there were not many flights when the consoles blinked, the ATC officials managed to control the situation from getting out of control.
Presently, the ATC is using AutoTrack-II radar automation system and it is being upgraded to the advanced AutoTrack-III. On the evening of January 14, all consoles went blank during an exercise to upgrade the system which led to disruption in movement of aircraft over the vast north Indian stretch.
27/01/10 PTI/Deccan Herald

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Categories: Airports Jan 2010, Safety Jan 2010