Airlines’ on-time performance set to improve further

New Delhi, June 20:

With an aim to improve safety and on-time performance, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to deploy Data Link Communication for pre-departure clearance of aircraft at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad airports. This system will replace the present voice communication system.

Trial in Mumbai

The authority has started using this system on trial basis at Mumbai Airport. The authority claims that the new system will eliminate possibility of human error and will enhance safety and efficiency of operations.

Pre-departure clearance is an authorisation issued by Air Traffic Control to the Pilot regarding the runway to be used, route to be flown from departure to destination and the cruising level that the aircraft is expected to maintain.

In the case of issue of pre-departure clearances using Data Link, the pilot requests the clearance using the Flight Management Computer in the cockpit. The controller gets the information about the aircraft requesting the clearance on his work-station.

The Controller selects the appropriate clearance from the data base and at the press of a button the information goes to the cockpit of the aircraft via Data Link. Getting the information both on screen and print via Data Link confirms issue/receipt of correct clearance, saves time for the pilot and eliminates human errors thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

As the pilots do not have to wait in queue for obtaining clearance and many aircraft can simultaneously request and obtain clearances, delay is considerably reduced, thereby facilitating on-time departure for passengers.

Voice communication

At present, air traffic controllers, on request from the pilot of an aircraft, issue pre-departure clearance through voice communication using Very High frequency radio from tower. The pilots are expected to read back the entire clearance to confirm correct receipt of the same, again through voice communication.

Such a procedure for issue of pre-departure clearances using voice may lead to potential misunderstanding between the pilot and the controller. In addition, it also results in loss of valuable time for the pilot waiting for his turn to get the clearance as it is not possible for more than one pilot to talk to the controller at a time.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3551233.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy